Best New Event by an Association
Institute of Directors in South Africa – King V The Premiere 2026
King V The Premiere Launch transformed the release of South Africa’s latest corporate governance framework into a landmark cinematic premiere experience, redefining how governance is communicated and experienced. Hosted by the Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA), the hybrid event combined broadcast-quality digital storytelling with an immersive in-person production that positioned King V as a national governance milestone rather than a traditional publication launch.
The campaign integrated movie-inspired branding throughout, including trailers, premiere-style invitations, themed décor, interactive event technology and immersive production elements that made attendees feel part of a live film set. This highly differentiated approach successfully simplified complex governance concepts while maintaining credibility and authority.
The launch delivered exceptional engagement and reach, generating 29,250 webpage visits, 531,000 social media impressions, 307,000 video views and media coverage valued at R95 million. Ticket sales exceeded target, with 1,178 tickets sold against a target of 1,000.
Beyond the event itself, the launch drove immediate governance adoption through the King V Masterclass and a national roadshow, reinforcing IoDSA’s role as South Africa’s leading governance authority while demonstrating innovation rarely seen within the professional association sector.
Institute of the Motor Industry – Motorvate at Automechanika
Motorvate was launched at Automechanika Birmingham 2025 in response to the IMI’s forecasted shortfall of 160,000 automotive technicians by 2031. Developed with Messe Frankfurt, the event set out to tackle this challenge by connecting people at all career stages with clear, accessible pathways into the sector.
Unlike traditional industry events, Motorvate placed careers, skills and people at its core. It was designed using extensive research and industry collaboration, bringing together major partners including Toyota Trade Parts, Bosch, KwikFit and SMMT to ensure real-world relevance and impact.
A targeted, multi-channel marketing campaign promoted automotive as a modern, technology-driven career choice, while the event itself delivered an engaging, hands-on experience. The central Ignite Arena hosted talks, live demonstrations and interactive activities, supported by exhibitor stands offering direct access to employers and training providers. Features such as the IMI Skills Competition showcase and Thirty Under 30 initiative further inspired and informed attendees.
Motorvate exceeded expectations, attracting 3,611 visitors against a 2,500 target, achieving 91% satisfaction and a Net Promoter Score of +61. It also drove strong engagement with the IMI and its There’s More to Motor campaign.
Overall, Motorvate successfully demonstrated a new, impactful model for addressing the automotive industry’s workforce challenge.
International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers United Kingdom Affiliate – Emerging Leaders Day 2026
The ISPE UK Emerging Leaders Day reimagined the traditional careers event by creating a student-led, industry-focused experience that prepares the next generation of pharmaceutical professionals for a rapidly evolving sector. Co-designed by the ISPE UK Emerging Leaders Committee, AstraZeneca’s Early Careers team and students, the programme responded directly to research identifying a gap in students’ understanding of digital transformation, sustainability and future workforce expectations.
The event combined interactive digitalisation workshops, pharmaceutical site tours, career panels and networking, giving students practical insight into modern manufacturing and emerging industry priorities while removing barriers through sponsored transport and free attendance. Unlike conventional careers fairs, it focused on where students can contribute today and tomorrow, rather than retrospective career journeys.
The inaugural event welcomed 40 students from diverse disciplines, making it the largest off-campus Emerging Leaders event delivered by ISPE UK. It achieved a 30% membership conversion, contributing 1.23% towards the Affiliate’s annual membership growth target, and received an overall satisfaction score of 4.7/5, with 4.8/5 indicating intent to attend future events.
A unique feature was its student-led governance, with the programme chaired by an undergraduate student, demonstrating how associations can empower emerging professionals while strengthening industry, academic and member engagement.
Royal Institute of British Architects – AI in Practice Summit
The RIBA AI in Practice Summit was launched to help architects understand how Artificial Intelligence can be adopted responsibly, ethically and practically within professional practice. Recognising a clear gap in the market, RIBA created a flagship event that combined expert insight, real-world case studies, live demonstrations and interactive discussion to support the profession through rapid technological change.
Developed through collaboration across multiple RIBA teams and informed by industry experts and the RIBA AI, Generative Design and Data Expert Advisory Group, the Summit demonstrated a true One RIBA approach. Held alongside the Surface Design Show, it attracted RIBA members, non-members and delegates from across the wider built environment, including organisations beyond traditional architectural practice.
The event established new strategic partnerships with leading technology organisations, delivered an engaging delegate experience and reinforced RIBA’s position as the trusted voice on AI in architecture. Strong attendance growth, excellent delegate feedback and commercial success have enabled the Summit to become an annual flagship event, with expanded ambitions for future editions.
By combining innovation, collaboration, professional learning and commercial sustainability, the AI in Practice Summit has created a scalable model for how associations can support their members through emerging technologies while advancing the wider profession.
The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association – NH Stallion Open Weekend 2026
Recognising that its established National Hunt stallion viewing event had run its course, the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association reimagined the concept entirely for 2026. Rather than transporting stallions to a centralised auction venue, the TBA created an open weekend format allowing farms to welcome visitors on home ground across two days.
Strategically organised around two geographic clusters, the weekend functioned as a self-guided road trip, with seven stud farms opening their doors to breeders, owners, and enthusiasts — many visiting studs not previously accessible to the public.
Despite challenging weather, the event attracted 450 registered guests, surpassing initial targets, and generated exceptional social media reach, including engagement from Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing — channels that had not previously interacted with TBA content.
Attendee feedback highlighted the quality of expert access, the welcoming atmosphere, and the unique opportunity to view stallions, mares, and foals in their natural environment.
With strong appetite for expansion, the event has established itself as a compelling new fixture in the British thoroughbred breeding calendar.
Union for International Cancer Control – Cancer Planners Forum 2026
The Cancer Planners Forum is the first international event dedicated specifically to the government officials and technical leads responsible for developing and implementing National Cancer Control Plans (NCCPs) in their countries. Organised by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Cancer Control Partnership (ICCP), the Forum was created to address a clear gap in global cancer control: the lack of opportunities for these government-appointed leaders to connect, exchange experiences and learn from one another.
Through the Forums held in 2025 and 2026, 76 countries have participated, represented by the officials and technical leads responsible for national cancer control planning. Designed as a highly interactive meeting, the Forum combines expert insights, country experiences and facilitated peer-to-peer discussions to encourage collaboration and problem-solving on issues such as implementation, financing, governance and evaluation.
Participating countries represent a wide range of health systems, income settings and stages of cancer planning. Beyond the event itself, participants remain connected through ongoing knowledge-sharing and collaboration opportunities, helping strengthen national cancer planning capacity and supporting countries in turning cancer plans into meaningful action.
