Eligibility

The awards are open to any Canadian company with offices in Canada. Events may have taken place anywhere in the world or online.

All events must have occurred between December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2025. 

Who Can Enter the Work?

• If an independent event planner (defined as a planner who was not employed by the client organization at the time the event was executed) was responsible for the design, planning, production and execution of an event, they must obtain written permission from the client to submit the event for an award.
• If the client does not grant permission, the client may submit the event themselves on behalf of the organization only if they agree and purchase a joint entry with the planner, ensuring proper credit is given for the planner’s work.

Credit for Work Performed

• Clients cannot take sole credit for event design, planning, or execution performed by an independent planner, even if they own or hosted the event.
• The planner must be properly acknowledged in any award submission.

Cases of Business Separation or Dispute

• If the planner and client have parted ways after the event took place, or there is a business conflict, the client cannot enter the planner’s work without acknowledging their role. In such cases, the only acceptable submission is a joint entry with a clear attribution of responsibilities.

Key Dates & Fees

When to Submit

IMPORTANT NOTE: You do NOT need to submit your entry at the time you register. You have until the final deadline to smash the submit button; however, the longer you wait to register, the higher the fees will be. Take time to perfect your submission, but ensure it is completed by the final deadline: February 27, 2026, at midnight PST.

Key Dates:

• Phase 1: Oct 20, 2025 – Jan 30, 2026 – Entry Fee: $235 per entry. Register and select your categories by January 30 to secure the lowest fee.
• Phase 2: Jan 31, 2026 – Feb. 20, 2025—Entry Fee: $285 per entry. 
• NEW: Extension Week: Feb. 20 – Feb. 27, 2026 – Entry Fee: $350 per entry.

What Happens Next?

• Judging takes place the first two weeks in March 
• Finalists will be announced online shortly thereafter.
• Nominees will be contacted with further directions to validate their nominations. 
• April 29, 2026: Winners will be revealed live at the Canadian Event Awards Gala.
• July 2026: The winners will be featured in a post-event “lookbook” released nationwide. Winning entries may also be featured in an upcoming Canadian Special Events Magazine issue.

Pro Tip: Submitting early saves you money and allows more time for feedback and revisions. Don’t wait until the last minute!IM

Registration

Registering for the Canadian Event Awards is a simple and straightforward process. Follow these steps to get started:

• Click ‘Enter Now’: This will take you to the registration form and category selection page.
• Select Your Categories: Browse through the list of award categories and select all the categories you wish to enter. There is no limit to the number of categories you can choose.
• Add Joint Entries (if applicable): If you are entering in collaboration with another company, select the ‘ADD Joint Entry’ option. Add one joint entry for each additional company you want to be listed on the official nomination, excluding your own. For example, if you are entering with two other companies, you must select two joint entries.
• Proceed to Payment: After selecting your categories and any joint entries, proceed to the payment section. Important: If you register during the early bird phase, don’t worry if the discount doesn’t reflect in the default price—it will be automatically applied at checkout.
• Receive Confirmation: Once payment is complete, you will receive a confirmation email with a unique PIN. This PIN provides access to the entry portal, where you can complete your submission.
• Start Your Entry: Use your unique PIN to log into the entry portal. Here, you can fill out the entry form, upload supporting materials, and finalize your submission.
• Be sure to use a specific email address for correspondence and include the name of the individual or individuals to be credited in public materials. If entering on behalf of someone else, include their name in the form.

Categories

There is no limit to the number of categories or entries you can submit, and you can submit the same event in multiple categories. Each time you enter the same event, each entry must be unique and category-specific. Simply changing the title of a duplicated entry is not suggested. Please be sure to include details for any joint entrants you would like to acknowledge in your submission. 
Click here for a list of categories and criteria: https://canadianeventawards.com/

Joint Entries Explained

• What is a Joint Entry? A Joint Entry is when a company collaborates with another company to enter an award. This allows both companies’ names to be officially listed on the nomination.
  A joint entry requires an additional fee of $100 per company beyond the first entrant.
• How to Add Joint Entrants: After completing the registration form and selecting your categories, you can add joint entrants before proceeding to payment. To see the list of available items, select the ‘ADD Joint Entry’ option. You must add one joint entry for each additional company being included in your application, excluding yourself. Example: If you are entering with two additional companies, select two joint entries.

• Assigning Joint Entrants: When you have finished registering and moved on to the “entry phase,” you can enter your joint entrant’s information in the entry form, which you will complete as part of the process. This entry form is inside your unique portal, which you gain access to after registration.
• NOT assigning Joint Entrants:  If you have other companies responsible for sharing the work with you, and you intend to have them listed as a nominee but don’t purchase joint entries for them, they will not be listed – even if you add them to your entry. Once the nominations are published, they cannot be added, so please make sure you take the time to add all Joint Entrants at the time of registration.

Confirmation & Pin

Your unique PIN should arrive in your inbox within 15 minutes. Use this PIN to access your private portal and submit your events. 

When you open it, all your selected categories will be linked and listed in your portal. If you notice any discrepancies or if anything is missing, please contact us. 

Entry Content

The following elements may be required for your category. Check the specific requirements for your chosen category carefully:

• Budgets: Most categories do not require a budget, with only a few exceptions. For budget-required categories, your budget is CONFIDENTIAL and will not be published.
• Reference Letters and Recommendations: Required only for Signature Awards.
• Menus: If applicable, submit menus along with photos of the catering.
• Visuals: Submit high-quality photos and videos that meet the category criteria. Ensure the visuals showcase the diversity of your work. All videos must be loaded on an external server, so a link is required.
• Website Links: Include links for events that have a website.
• Extended Description: Provide a detailed description of your event, highlighting the story, challenges faced, and successes achieved.
• 300-Word Summary: Write a concise, third-person summary (300 words) of your event, focusing on its key aspects, for publication.
• Supporting Materials: If required by your category, include additional documents, such as critical paths, floor plans, or social media content. If you are nominated, we may request the actual video file for use during the awards show.
• Category-Specific Questions: Be prepared to answer specific questions about your event, including details on inspiration, creativity, risk management, and logistical planning. These answers give judges deeper insights into your event and increase your chances of winning.

Rules & Guidelines

• All events must have occurred between December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2025. 
• A separate entry must be submitted for each event.
• Joint entrants listed on the entry must be registered.
• All budgets must be in retail pricing (the total amount the client was billed).
• Budgets are never displayed and are kept confidential except to the judges.
• Judges’ decisions are final.
• There is no limit to the number of submissions – additional categories will incur additional entry fees.
• No advance notice of winners will be provided under any circumstances.
• NOTE: Entries may be published in Canadian Special Event publications or associated websites. If you enter the awards, be advised, at minimum, that you must be willing and have permission to have the 300-word description and at least 3 photos from the event shared publicly. 
• Winners receive digital badges which cannot be altered or transferred.
• Any of the stories, entry images or entrant content found on our website cannot be copied, downloaded or shared without express permission by CSE & the entrant. Contact us for media inquiries.
• The awards are open to any Canadian company with offices in Canada. Events may have taken place anywhere in the world or online. 

Judging

• The Canadian Event Industry Awards is a globally renowned competition for event professionals, featuring a thorough four-stage judging process to ensure fairness and rigorous evaluation.
• Pre-screening: Judges are assigned to categories post-entry period, reducing conflicts of interest and maintaining a level playing field.
• First-Round Analysis: Judges thoroughly review entries in their categories against specific criteria, selecting nominees for their standout excellence.
• Scoring and Tallying: Entries are scored based on set criteria, with a dedicated system processing the scores to guarantee objectivity and accuracy.
• Finalist Determination: After announcing finalists, a second round of independent evaluations by judges determines the category winners.
• Our panel of diverse industry experts ensures the highest standards of fairness and impartiality, upholding the integrity of the Canadian Event Industry Awards.

Prizes

Winners of the Canadian Event Awards receive the following benefits:

• Feature on CSE Mag Site: A dedicated article about your project, with a link to your social media.
• Feature on Event Awards Blog: Spotlight showcasing your project and achievements.
• Feature in CSE Digital Mag: Inclusion in a special Look Book edition of Canadian Special Events Magazine.
• Winners Gallery: Placement in the Winners Gallery on the Canadian Event Awards website, with mentions throughout the year.
• Social Media Coverage: Dedicated posts across Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, celebrating your success with the event industry community.
• Feature in CSE e-newsletter: Exclusive coverage of your project in CSE’s e-newsletter, reaching over 60,000 followers and industry leaders.
• Art Glass Award: A stunning art glass trophy to proudly display in your venue.
• Digital Badge: A winner’s badge for use on social media and websites.

Gala Awards Ceremony & Diner

Join us on April 29, 2026, in Toronto, for an unforgettable evening of celebration at the prestigious Canadian Event Awards Gala. This exquisite black-tie dinner and awards ceremony is a highlight in the calendar of Canada’s event industry, attracting the nation’s foremost event professionals. Secure your tickets now and be part of an extraordinary evening that recognizes and elevates the best in Canadian events. Don’t wait; tickets always sell out.