27 November 25, Bath, UK: The National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA) closed its landmark 45th anniversary year with its biggest-ever Awards Ceremony, celebrating the largest number of entries in the organisation’s history and a sell-out audience at the Roman Baths and Pump Room in Bath.
The 2025 NOEA Awards brought together the UK’s leading event professionals for a night that reflected the strength, creativity and resilience of the outdoor events industry.
Judges remarked that standards across the board had risen dramatically, making this year’s decisions the most challenging yet. Against this backdrop of exceptional quality, the evening’s winners provided a powerful snapshot of an industry setting new benchmarks in excellence.
The celebration began with Continental Drifts securing Best Accessibility & Inclusion Initiative, recognised for embedding inclusion as a defining part of their organisation. Outstanding teamwork was a major theme of the night, with Outdoor Places Unusual Spaces & Birmingham City Council named Best Events Team – Company and Falkirk Council receiving Best Events Team – Council for their progressive, community-centred approach.
George Bacon was honoured with Best Support to the Event Industry, recognising more than three decades of dedication, while this year’s Unsung Hero awards celebrated two outstanding individuals: Clare Wells of Shropshire Festivals, praised for her immediate impact and professionalism, and Paul Hooper of ASAO, recognised for his long-standing and influential contribution to agricultural and rural events.
Two major Event of the Year categories showcased the diversity and ambition of the sector. CarFest was awarded Event of the Year – Private Sector for its community impact and dynamic evolution,
while Swansea Council triumphed in Event of the Year – Local Authority Sector for its forward-thinking approach to delivering major public celebrations.
Supplier excellence remained a cornerstone of the ceremony. NoNonsense Group took home Event Supplier of the Year – Infrastructure for standout delivery, while Onyx Specialist Services Ltd was named Event Supplier of the Year – Services for their innovation, care and comprehensive support.
The night also featured a series of emotional highlights. AeroAVA’s thrilling collaboration with the Edinburgh Tattoo earned the Judges’ Award, while two of the industry’s most respected figures were honoured with special awards: David Tunnicliffe received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Johnnie Cole-Hamilton of The Royal & Ancient Golf Club was presented with the President’s Award.
Reflecting on the night, Susan Tanner, CEO of NOEA, said: “To end our 45th anniversary year with record entries and a record audience is an extraordinary achievement for our community. The calibre of this year’s winners shows the innovation, passion and talent that continues to shape the UK’s outdoor events industry. Tonight has been a reminder of just how far we’ve come, and how bright the road ahead truly is.”
The 2025 Awards offered a fitting and uplifting conclusion to NOEA’s anniversary year, a celebration not just of winners, but of an industry moving forward with ambition, confidence, and purpose.
For a full list of winners, click here.