Jury guidelines

Read the extensive guidelines for jury members. Our mission is to promote professionalism, excellence, and effectiveness within the European meetings industry. We recognise and reward projects that deliver measurable results and contribute meaningfully to client success. Beyond return on investment, we honour events that demonstrate responsibility toward the environment, society, and event participants.

Jury Guidelines

MEET THE JURY- TBD

INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS FROM THE FIELD OF EVENT ORGANISATION

All submitted entries will be evaluated by a jury consisting of international experts from the field of event organisation. The jury consists of 24 members who participate and have equal votes in evaluating the submitted entries. Every member of the jury makes their decision individually on the basis of their expert knowledge, reputation and authority. Each member also has the right to raise objections and questions, as well as an obligation to explain the scores given when evaluating entries to receive the main award. The work of the jury is planned and monitored by a representative of the organizational board of the Conventa Best Event Award.

Angeles Moreno

Country Manager at AIM

Angeles Moreno, an expert in Business Management, Event Strategy, and strategic change, boasts a remarkable career in executive leadership, entrepreneurship, and consultancy. She excels in fostering growth, enhancing revenue, and innovating organizations. Author of "The Time Is Now," and a top influencer among Spain's female leaders, she co-created the "CX Design Playbook" and is an international keynote speaker.

Vesna Vlašič

Managing Director at McCann

With over two decades of expertise in communications and event management, Vesna led McCann Sarajevo to significant growth and a robust client list featuring major brands. Her strategic leadership has consistently achieved an annual revenue increase and garnered multiple industry accolades, including “Agency of the Year”. With experience in high-profile campaigns for global clients and contributions to international development programs, Vesna is well known for her commitment to innovation, diversity, and excellence in the marketing and PR sectors.

Ivo J. Franschitz

Founder & Owner of ENITED Business Events, Austria

Ivo is the owner & Managing Director of ENITED Business Events GmbH. Since 1999, he has been involved with a number of national and international educational institutions and sharing his experience and knowledge through a variety of speaking engagements. Currently, he holds a Board member position with EMBA (Event Marketing Board Austria) and with LiveCom Alliance, as well as being an active member of ICCA and 27NAMES.

Jose Garcia Aguarod

Founder of the Eventoplus Group, Spain

Jose is the founder of the Eventoplus Group of event and MICE related publications and events. He is an entrepreneur, trainer and speaker. Jose has been fully dedicated to the events and MICE industry for the last 18 years, as an organiser, as a final client and as a professional media publisher.

Stefan Kozak

Founder, managing director at CREATIVE PRO, Slovakia

Stefan Kozak is the founder of CREATIVE PRO, a live & event marketing company, which developed into a diversified group of companies, called CREATIVE PRO group focused on the Slovak and Czech market. He is in charge of business development, strategical acquisition and specific ‘live marketing’ projects.

Pigalle Tavakkoli

School of Experience Design

Pigalle, an Experience Designer for 15 years, has created for V&A, National Portrait Gallery, Barbican Centre, and Science Museum. Since 2012, she co-develops and teaches the UK’s first Experience Design course at the globally second-ranked University of the Arts, London. Pigalle also founded the School of Experience Design, catering to clients like the Institute of Physics, EUROfusion, Unilever, and L’Oréal.

Jens Mayer

Managing Director of the Jack Morton Worldwide's German Offices, Germany

Jens Mayer has built his career helping brands build strong relationships with the people that matter most to them, through live and digital marketing. He leads Jack Morton Worldwide’s (JMW) offices for the German-speaking market and has more than 20 years of experience in the brand experience industry.

Inese Lukaševska

Founder at LUKA AGENCY

Inese Lukaševska, founder of "Luka" agency, excels in communication and reputation management, boasting 8 global wins and 13 awards. With triple degrees, she combines strategic vision and creativity, showcasing over two decades of expertise in marketing and media relations. Inese actively contributes to industry discourse and is currently working on her debut novel.

Maarten Schram

Founder/Managing Director, LiveCom Alliance

Maarten Schram established LiveCom Alliance in 2016 as a non profit foundation on the belief that the live communication industry deserves a pan-European approach and audience, and would benefit from an overarching dedicated yet independent institution. Maarten thrives the pan-European industry creating a stronger, more sustainable and more interesting playing field by introducing the first pan-European Code of Ethics (2017) and first pan-European Pitch Guidelines (2018).

Ruth Ann Felismino

Communications & Advocacy at CGIAR

Ruth Ann Felismino brings over 15 years of experience in stakeholder engagement and event management in the international development sector. Based in France, she leads global events for CGIAR, aligning with UN conferences to advance science-policy dialogue on food, land, and water. Known for her inclusive, strategic approach, she is pursuing a Master’s in ASEAN Studies, focusing on MICE tourism and regional development.

Patrick Delaney

Managing Partner at SoolNua, Ireland

With his business partner Pádraic Gilligan, Patrick Delaney is Managing Partner at SoolNua, a boutique consultancy firm working in the Meetings and Events industry. Patrick worked in hotels in Ireland, Canada as well as Bord Failte’s Hotel Advisory Service. He also led the sales and marketing for the Irish Tourist Board.

Meta Pavlin Avdić

Strategic director at prvi.prvi

Meta, a communication strategist with two decades of experience, found her calling in sustainable marketing. With her colleagues at prvi.prvi., she develops transformative, world-changing campaigns. A perpetual learner and teacher, she inspires conscious, active participation in society and the co-creation of a healthy, sustainable world, believing that communication can be the main catalyst for this change.

Mary Kirillova

Managing Director at BEIC.pro

Mary began her career as a journalist and Italian language instructor for opera singers, which led her to organizing events with artists — sparking a lasting passion for the events industry. After working with a Swedish company, she launched the Nordic region’s first event industry forum, the Amber Prize, fostering collaboration and new projects. She later founded the Business Event Industry Club (BEIC), now the largest innovation and knowledge platform for event professionals, where she continues to champion creativity, innovation, and global partnerships.

Christoffer Sapienza

Senior Vice President of DNB Creative

Christoffer Sapienza is an accomplished professional with extensive experience at DNB since September 2012, currently serving as Senior Vice President of DNB Creative and actively involved in overseeing creative productions alongside marketing and digital sales departments. Previous roles at DNB include Acting SVP and Event Project Manager, focusing on event management and business development.

Aleš Petejan

Marketing director at Mastercard Slovenia

Aleš Petejan is a marketing leader with experience in finance and top agencies, now driving Mastercard Slovenia’s brand, partnerships, and innovative projects. He has led major cashless transformations, launched sport-focused initiatives, co-created an inspiration podcast, and developed award-winning social impact programs, including support for young athletes and inclusion of the deaf community.

Irena Oven

Head of Corporate Communications and CSR at NLB

Communication specialist with broad experience in public relations, integrated communication campaigns and communication strategy, with a demonstrated history of working in banking/financial industry (19 years). Skilled in Media Relations, Internal Communications, Crisis Communication, Corporate Social Responsibility, Banking, Events and Protocol.

Imre Diosi

Marketing manager at Michelin

Accomplished Marketing manager at Michelin. Since 2007, I have been responsible for Event, and Sponsoring, with extensive experience in organizing domestic and international events. Known for innovative problem-solving and a strong commitment to guest satisfaction. Expertise in sponsorship management, enhancing brand presence through memorable experiences. Passionate about delivering excellence and driving successful events across diverse platforms.

Fanny Favre

Senior marketing communications manager at Apollo Tyres

Entrepreneurial mind-set and results-oriented marketing professional with over 15 years experience in managing and rolling-out customer-focused event & experience strategies for global and premium brands.

Tereza Vrankova

ESA Conference Bureau Manager

With a rich background at the helm of marketing and PR for industry leaders, my journey has been marked by steering ŠKODA AUTO's global brand experience and previously, Samsung Electronics' marketing and PR communications. Mastering strategic communication technologies and brand marketing, my approach blends innovation with impactful storytelling to elevate brand presence.

Alexandros Makris

ESA Conference Bureau Manager

Alexandros Makris-Walters is the Vice President & Managing Director of Magna Events. With a bachelor’s in Event Management from the University of Greenwich and experience since his teens, he combines solid academic grounding with deep industry insight. He specializes in strategic marketing, event concept development, and immersive storytelling. Known for his warm, people-first leadership, he builds strong relationships that strengthen Magna Events’ long-standing partnerships and attract new collaborations.

Gerd De Bruycker

Founder at NimbleX

“Conscious” Business / Marketing Leader with a global track record in transforming vision into inclusive, actionable strategies across marketing, operations, and Chief of Staff roles at Cisco and Microsoft. I combine marketing expertise and operational instincts with a passion for cultivating inclusive, high-impact teams. I bring an innate ability to transform complexity into accessible direction, unite stakeholders, and spark engagement that drives innovation, alignment, and growth. Whether guiding cross-functional initiatives or mentoring rising talent,

Zsuzsanna Nagy

EA travel&event

Experienced marketing and event manager with a demonstrated history of working in various manufacturing and IT industry. Skilled in marketing management, event management, luxury events, MICE, acting, fashion, C-level executive assistant, corporate & incentive travel management and international account management.

Rui Ochoa

Founder at NimbleX

Rui Ochôa, born in Porto and a graduate in Communication Studies, co-founded and has directed Event Point since 2011 with editor Cláudia Coutinho de Sousa. Event Point is Portugal’s leading publication for the events industry, spanning print, digital, and international partnerships. Rui also serves on the press jury of the Best Event Awards and helps shape REINVENT the event, the conference organised by Event Point.