Horizon Festival named finalist in Australian Event Awards

The Australian Event Awards judges have selected Horizon Festival 2017 as a national finalist in the category of Best Achievement in Marketing, Communication or Sponsorship.

Horizon was selected for its outstanding marketing and communication results.

The award takes into consideration the style of campaigns, strategies, innovation, partnerships, challenges overcome, environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

Arts Portfolio Cr Rick Baberowski said being named as a finalist in these prestigious awards was fantastic recognition for the Horizon Festival.

“Horizon Festival has gone from strength to strength since it began in 2016,” Cr Baberowski said.

“To be selected as a finalist in the Australian Event Awards in only the second year of the festival is a significant achievement and I am extremely proud of the council staff, artists and producers involved in promoting this fantastic event for our region.

“The 2017 festival engaged 54,000 people across more than 200 events in 15 locations, which was a huge achievement for a 10-day festival and a testament to the marketing and communication campaign.

“The success continued for this year’s festival which just goes to show how well it has been embraced by locals and visitors alike.

“This is the second year the Sunshine Coast will host the Australian Event Awards so it’s exciting to know we have the chance to take out one of the awards on our own turf.”

Following a rigorous first round of judging by event industry leaders and experts around Australia, Horizon Festival’s place amongst the national finalists has the weight of the industry behind it.

Co-chair of the Event Awards judging panel Brenda LaPorte was extremely pleased to say innovation was alive and well in Australian events and achievements in the events industry.

“Entries into this year’s Event Awards show Australian event professionals are not content to simply maintain the status quo – they continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in events to produce outstanding experiences and lead the world in our industry,” she said.

Winners of the Australian Event Awards will be announced at the awards ceremony on November 21 at Novotel Twin Waters.

Image: Horizon Festival 2017, William Close and the Earth Harp Collective. Credit ben vos productions