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Awards 2025

Welcome to the Famtastic Awards 2025, celebrating agents and venues nationwide and recognising the rewarding relationships between buyers and suppliers with categories designed to allow everyone a chance to shine. Free to enter and with a fair and transparent judging process, the Famtastic Awards are a true celebration of our fabulous industry and we would love you to be involved.

The Timeline

2 March 2025 | Awards Open for Entry
4 July 2025 | Early Bird Closing Date
25 July 2025 | Final Closing Date
August 2025 | Judging
1 September 2025 | Finalists Announced
31 October 2025 | The Famtastic Awards (The Village Hotel Blackpool)

 

The Judging

The Famtastic Judging is based a fair and transparent scoring system, where each category has points available depending on the category. As we only ask both agency judges and supplier judges to score those entrants of whom they have direct knowledge or those they have worked with, the more judges we get the better, so the overall score are representative of the industry at large.

 

Our agency judges score supplier entries and our supplier judges score entries, so there is no canvassing and no rallying for votes - it's just very fair and very simple. The overall scores are then based on a mean average of how many judges rated the entry and the overall scores – which is how we calculate the winners - and everything is adjudicated by the very formidable Carol Ann Whitehead from the Zebra Partnership.

The Judges 

Rachel Lowther | The Venue Hunters

Carol Gilman | The Imperial Torquay

Krishna Pastakia | Edgbaston Park

Janet Scally | The Grand York

Clair Harper | Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport

Rosie Ackerman | Wyboston Lakes

Lorraine Kerry | MTC Venues

Charlotte Booth | First4Venues

Magda Marsh | Best Western

Karen Guile | ToBook

Helen Vann | Hothorpe Venues

Aziza Yessi | Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel

Emily Lockwood | Excelerate Consulting

Lisa Carpenter | Magnifisense

Emma Wigan | Diamond Cut Events

Mark Heywood | Countrywide Hotels

Richard Brown | Chew Events

Laura Dudley | ArrangeMY

Wes Wilson | Manchester Marriott Piccadilly Hotel

Jennie Mort | Sovereign Conferences

Gail Crowe | Magnifisense

Rosie Meiklejohn-Cribdon | ClueGo

James Manford | Successful Events

Pauline Caldaralo | PAC Events

Nicky Brown | Arctic Fox

Donna Hodges | Inception Events

Ella Wilson | Ace Bookings

Sarah Shirley | BrightVision Events 

Kerry Edwards | Bien Venue

Henrik Court | HC Events

Jess Ford | Blackberry Events

Megan Earl | Hotel and Travel Solutions 

Kieron Bowen | Eventurous

Charlotte Carrier | QTP Events

Alison Francis | Travelperk

Lottie Stokes | Hotel and Travel Solutions

Leigh Bacon | We Are MEat

Stephen Caldaralo | PAC Events

Lauretthe McCellan | Pineapple Events

Sherine Whittle | Brand-Nu

Claire Lee | Venue Queen

Emma Da Silva | The Events Company

Dan Gibson | Carden Park

Vicki Williams | ZiaBia

Bob Scott | Event Collection Group Ltd

Christine Ferris | Legacy Hotels

Kathy Nakra | No Ordinary Hospitality

Lewis Howe | Buxton Crescent

Ian Fletcher | Courtyard London Heathrow Airport

Katherine Connelly | University Arms

Julia Cooke | Relais Retreats

Jade Green | Jade Green Productions

Lewis Howe | Buxton Crescent Hotel

Dan Gibson | Carden Park

Gemma Ryder | ArrangeMY

Debbie Walker | Travel Trade Events

Deborah Collins | The Belfry

Wendy Burrows | First4Venues

Sarah Bryne | Mosaic Events

Abi Luty | Goldcrest Events

Liz Gibbons | Classic British Hotels

Andrew Woods | Leonardo Hotels

Victoria Webb | Millennium Point

Barry Clarke | Events Plus

Emily Mills | The Leeds Met

Naomi Phillips | Classic Lodges

Stijn Huijbers | Hilton Hotels

Kelsey Summerfield | Valor Hotels

Michael Judd | Aimbridge

Phillip Allsop | Classic British Hotels

Jamie Taylor | Leonardo Hotels

Louise Copley | The Grand York

Helen Wilson | Forest of Arden Hotel

Sean Perkins | Imago

Kate Shaw | DeVere

Sally Clift | Choice Locations

Danny Archer | The Milner

Dan Coyles | Q Hotels 

Alison Hadaway | Mottram Hall

Want to Judge in 2026?

Please let us know

The Finalists for 2025!

The Famtastic Academic Venue of the Year

  • Ashorne Hill

  • Countrywide Hotels Denham Grove

  • Countrywide Hotels Pendulum Manchester

  • EICC

  • DeVere Horsley Estate

  • Nottingham Venues – The University of Nottingham

  • University of Leeds Conferences & Events

  • University of Strathclyde

 

The Famtastic Agency of the Year

  • Ace Bookings

  • Brighter

  • Chew Events

  • Magnifisense

  • PAC

  • Successful Events

  • Venue Queen

  • ZiaBia

 

The Famtastic Agent of the Year

  • Abi Luty | Goldcrest Events

  • Ella Wilson | Ace Bookings

  • James Manford | Successful Events

  • Jo Wilson | Ace Bookings

  • Nicky Brown | Arctic Fox Events

  • Rachel Lowther | Venue Hunters

  • Sam Rourke | Bien Venue

  • Stephen Caldaralo | PAC

 

The Famtastic Bedroom of the Year

  • ​Champneys Mottram Hall

  • Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly

  • The Grand Hotel Brighton Leonardo Hotels

  • The Catherine of Aragon Suite at Thornbury Castle

  • The Landmark Hotel London

  • The Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham

  • The University Arms Cambridge

 

The Famtastic Boardroom of the Year

  • Buxton Crescent Hotel | The Boardrooms

  • DeVere Cotswold Water Park Hotel | The Teal Boardroom

  • Macdonald Hotels & Resorts | The Fraser Suite at The Burlington Hotel

  • The Slaughters Manor House | The Oxford Room

  • Thornbury Castle | The Barons Boardroom

  • Woodland Grange | Executive Suite 2

 

The Famtastic Caterer or Chef of the Year

  • Gary Nixon | Wychwood Park | Legacy Hotels

  • Jonathan Belfort | Fairmont St Andrews

  • Matt Willis | Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham

  • Sean Dell | Horwood House

  • Tom Gardner | Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly

  • Unique Venues of Birmingham | Gut Health Menus

 

The Famtastic Conference Centre/Hotel

  • Carden Park

  • Chesford Grange | Q Hotels

  • DeVere Cotswold Water Park Hotel

  • Doubletree by Hilton Brighton Metropole

  • Hilton Birmingham Metropole

  • Leonardo Conference Hotel & Venue Hinckley Island

  • Nottingham Venues | The Orchard Hotel

  • Wyboston Lakes Resort

 

The Famtastic Freelancer of the Year

  • Clementine Crowther

  • Jess Burrow

 

The Famtastic Green Initiative of the Year

  • Ashorne Hill | Making Sustainability Practical, Purposeful, and People-Led

  • Edgbaston Park Hotel | B Corp is More Than a Badge

  • Eventurous | Leading the way for eco minded event agencies

  • Hilton Hotels | Travel with Purpose

  • Hyatt Place London City East | Froom Rooftop to Root Systems

  • Wyboston Lakes | Room2Give

  • Q Hotels | Green Tourism & Green Champions

 

The Famtastic Hotel Brand of the Year

  • Arora Group

  • Champneys

  • Hilton Hotels

  • Hyatt Hotels

  • LGH Hotel Management

  • Leonardo Hotels

  • The Q Hotels Collection

  • Village Hotels

 

The Famtastic Independent Hotel of the Year

  • Buxton Crescent Hotel

  • Carden Park

  • Donnington Valley | Classic British Hotels

  • Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre

  • Foxhills Club & Resort

  • The Belfry Hotel & Resort

  • Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre

 

The Famtastic Independent Venue of the Year

  • Millennium Point

  • National Ice Centre and Motorpoint Arena Nottingham

  • The British Motor Museum

  • The Derby Conference Centre

  • The Portico Library and Newsroom

  • Unique Venues of Birmingham

 

The Famtastic Marketing Campaign of the Year

  • Cedar Court Hotels | The Pudding Run

  • Hilton Hotels | A Top Towel-tally For the Lionesses

  • LGH Hotel Management | Summer Pops Campaign

  • Leonardo Hotel & Conference Venue Hinckley Island | The 2024 Christmas Campaign "Leonardo Hinckley on Tour"

  • Valor Hospitality | Valorfest 2025

  • Village Hotels | Village Hotels: Championing Training Excellence

  • Wyboston Lakes | More Than Monday to Friday: How We Unlocked the Power of Weekend Events

 

The Famtastic International Representation of the Year

  • destinations UNLIMITED

  • Global DMC Partners

  • Maritim Hotels

  • Star Your World

  • Visit Malta

 

The Famtastic New Talent of the Year

Agents

  • Annabel Thorlby-Wilson | Brighter

  • Caroline Dyos | PAC

  • Emily Frost | Bien Venue

  • Phoebe March | V-Ex Events

  • Rae Rodien | Blackberry Events

  • Sarah Ajeil | Hamama Events

Suppliers

  • Aleksandra Makowska (Ola) | Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly

  • Julia Dunst | The Derby Conference Centre

  • Gordon Frame | Crieff Hydro

  • Grace Elsegood | Ashorne Hill

  • Samantha O’Neill | The Derby Conference Centre

  • Silke Griffin | Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly

 

The Famtastic Refurbishment of the Year

  • Crowne Plaza Stratford Upon Avon | Valor Hospitality

  • Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly

  • Nottingham Venues | The Orchard Hotel

  • The Grand Brighton | Leonardo Hotels

  • The Lakeside Hotel & Spa | Classic Lodges

  • Village Hotels | Our Multi-Million-Pound Programme of Innovation and Expansion

 

The Famtastic Representation of the Year

  • Classic British Hotels

  • Classic Lodges

  • Eventsplus

  • HRH

  • Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly

  • Valor Hospitality

 

The Famtastic Sales Professional of the Year

  • Chris Bason | Global DMC Partners

  • Christine Ferris | Legacy Hotels

  • Julia Cook | Relais Retreats

  • Kelsey Summerfield | Valor Hospitality

  • Lewis Howe | Buxton Crescent Hotel

  • Liz Gibbons | Classic British Hotels

  • Naomi Phillips | Classic Lodges

  • Paula Moran | Birmingham Conference and Events Centre

 

The Famtastic Unique Venue of the Year

​Hotels

  • Buxton Crescent Hotel

  • DeVere Horsley Estate

  • Doubletree by Hilton Brighton Metropole

  • The Kingfisher | Classic British Hotels

Venues

  • Millennium Point

  • The British Motor Museum

  • The Royal Armouries

  • Unique Venues of Birmingham

 

The Famtastic Sports Venue of the Year

  • Doncaster Racecourse

  • National Ice Centre and Motorpoint Arena Nottingham

  • The Jockey Club Venues

 

The Famtastic Representation of the Year

  • Classic British Hotels

  • Classic Lodges

  • Eventsplus

  • HRH

  • Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly

  • Valor Hospitality

 The Famtastic Team Building Company of the Year

  • ClueGo

  • Eventurous

  • Introducing Events

  • Team T Events

 

The Famtastic Use of AI in Events

  • Millennium Point | Future-Ready Events, Delivered Today: Why Millennium Point Sets the Standard

  • Park Hall Chorley | The AI Concierge

  • The Luxe 360 Booths | Redefining the Photo Booth Industry

Download Your Finalists Banners Here!

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Finalists Email Banner

Finalists Social Media Banner

The Awards Event & Information

We're heading to Blackpool this year and the very lovely Village Hotel and as we are conscious that it is Half Term & Halloween, we are making the event as family friendly as possible!

We will shortly be publishing details for discounted rail fares with our friends at Avanti West Coast,

Cross Rail & Northern Rail so please check back for details.

We are also introducing a creche on site at The Village Hotel, with fully qualified and trained

professionals with three rooms for three different age ranges.

 

Discounted hotel rooms are available at The Village Hotel and 70 rooms are available currently for suppliers - £85 BB per night. Rate is available up until 01/08/25. To book please email claire.crooks@village-hotels.com (Rooms available for the Saturday also at £85 BB single

occupancy or £95 for double occupancy - and family friendly rooms are also available.

 

 If people want to extend their stay to include the Saturday night, then you can make a weekend

of it and enjoy the attractions and we are working on a range of discounted tickets.

Watch This Space for Additional Details Coming Soon! 

Friday 31 October 2025

10am-12noon Arrival & Registration

12noon-1.30pm Lunch in the Helter Skelter Restaurant

(Jacket Spuds with Toppings Galore! & a range of Soft Drinks)

1.30pm-4pm Networking Session

4pm Leisure Time (Sports Bar | Pool | Driving Range etc)

6.30pm Drinks Reception

7.15pm Seating for Dinner

7.30pm Welcome

7.45pm Dinner

(Two Courses Included & Half a Bottle of Wine pp)

9.00pm The Awards

10.00pm Entertainment & Disco

12midnight Wrapping Up

Post Event Drinks the Sports Bar

Tickets Now Available

 

Sp

Ray of Stars Logo.png

Ray of Stars – Event & Wedding Day Childcare Services
Ray of Stars is a small, passionate business delivering big experiences for little guests! We provide a fully equipped crèche, set up in a location of your choice, offering a fun, safe, and engaging space for children during your event. With a wide range of toys, games, crafts, and activities, we keep little ones happily entertained while parents enjoy the celebration. For peace of mind, all children are securely signed in and out. In addition to Event childcare, Ray of Stars also offers Children’s Parties, School Workshops, Early years sessions, Children’s corners, and Nannying services

Sponsor the Famtastic Awards

We have a range of fabulous packages for sponsors so please contact

Cathryn via famtastic.rocks@cloud9em.co.uk for details

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