SportBusiness Sports Event Management Awards Winners Announced
The Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games dominated the 2nd SportBusiness Sports Event Management Awards, presented at a glittering black tie gala dinner in London last night. Nominations for the specialist projects which made Beijing the most spectacular and precisely managed Games in history earned three Gold and three Silver Awards in categories ranging from Ceremonies to Event Services and Technology.
The Beijing Olympic Games Organising Committee received a Gold Award for the spectacular Opening Ceremony which became the hallmark of unforgettable Games. There were also Golds for OBS, the broadcast organisation whose pictures kept the world spellbound, and UK company Creative Technology for its essential contribution to the Opening Ceremony.
Silver Awards were earned by Atos Origin in the Technology category, Losberger, for the provision of temporary (overlay) facilities and Morris Goding Accessibility Consulting for its work in ensuring the accessibility of facilities for Paralympic athletes.
It was also a night of triumph for the city of Manchester which won the SportBusiness Sports City Award for its successful hosting of an impressive programme of world class events in 2007-2008, and the ground-breaking FINA short-course World Swimming Championships staged in the city also earned Gold Awards for its organisers, World Swimming Championships Ltd.
The Indian Premier League, which has changed the way the world thinks about both cricket and India, also was the subject of two Awards. IMG, the sports marketing company which powered the event, won Gold Award for Event Marketing and the Rushmans Award for Innovation which was accepted on behalf of its creator Lalit Modi.
The individual Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sports Event Management was won by Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone for his pivotal role in creating one of the world’s most powerful sports properties developing its global presence and appeal by embracing events beyond its traditional heartlands.
Ken Schofield, former head of the PGA European Tour was on hand to accept the Award for Lifetime Achievement for his critical contribution to the development of the Tour in more than 30 years at the helm.
This year’s SportBusiness Sports Event Management Awards attracted 150 entries from individuals and organisations worldwide.
Nigel Rushman, Chairman of the Awards organisers Rushmans said: “We were delighted with the response and the quality of the winning entries which truly reflect the levels of dedication, skill and professionalism which shape the world’s major sports events.”
Phil Savage, Publishing Director of title sponsors SportBusiness Group said: “We were again delighted to be an integral part of an event which recognised the fantastic contribution and achievements of the unsung heroes of the sports world.
“Spectators at live events or on television may take excellent event organisation and presentation for granted. Yet in reality every event is the result of meticulous planning, technical innovation and a creative approach to solving problems which may, at first, appear insurmountable.”