Best Event by an Agency
CI Group, Expedition to Excellence
Suntory, a global FMCG leader, wanted a conference that went beyond a typical corporate gathering. Marking a decade of achievements while setting a bold vision for the future, Expedition to Excellence was designed to inspire, engage, and unite 400 senior business leaders through an immersive experience fostering connection, empowerment, and strategic readiness.
CI Group developed an event shaped around adventure and discovery, selecting Centre Parcs Woburn for its 400-acre forest setting, seamlessly integrating nature into the conference.
Pre-event communications set expectations for participation beyond traditional presentations, ensuring an interactive experience. The agenda blended structured sessions with experiential learning, including panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and outdoor activities – offering an engaging alternative to conventional formats.
A highlight was Ash Dykes’ keynote, where the renowned adventurer shared insights on resilience and goal-setting. Evenings featured a starlit celebration with immersive lighting, themed décor, and an awards ceremony recognising standout contributions.
Meticulously planned, Expedition to Excellence combined strategic content with a dynamic experience, ensuring attendees left with actionable insights, stronger professional connections, and a renewed investment in Suntory’s future.
By challenging the conventions of traditional corporate events, Expedition to Excellence redefined what a leadership conference could be – engaging, inspiring, and strategically impactful.
CE, The Openwork Partnership Conference, Our Next Chapter
CE proudly produced and delivered The Openwork Partnership’s largest event of the year – more than just a conference, it was a powerful moment of connection, strategy, and celebration. Bringing together 400 Partners, the event provided a dynamic platform to reflect on year two of their three-year strategy and align on future ambitions.
CE brought the theme, “Together we make the difference. Our Next Chapter,” to life across every touchpoint. The event featured two key spaces: a main conference room for impactful sessions shaping the future and an interactive exhibition area showcasing The Openwork Partnership’s business.
As night fell, the conference room evolved into an elegant Gala and Fundraiser Dinner, while the exhibition space became a lively networking and after-party area. This evening event celebrated achievements and raised essential funds for The Openwork Foundation.
Delivering a full 360° service, CE managed everything from creative concept development and content creation to project management, event production, on-site coordination, and venue and entertainment planning. Every detail was meticulously designed to deliver an unforgettable experience that inspired, connected, and celebrated The Openwork Partnership.”
emc3, HP Amplify Partner Conference 2024
The HP Amplify Partner Conference surpassed all expectations and KPIs but also played a key role in amplifying HP’s key messages and commitments. By delivering a highly engaging, insight-driven experience, the event strengthened partner relationships, showcased HP’s leadership in AI and innovation, and reinforced its long-term strategic vision. Every element was designed to drive meaningful impact, ensuring attendees left inspired, informed, and equipped to contribute to HP’s continued success. The event’s outstanding execution also deepened the partnership between emc3 and HP. We didn’t just create an event – we created an industry-defi ning experience.
Emota and Shell Eco-marathon: Energising Tomorrow
Shell Eco-marathon 2024 represents a landmark achievement in global event delivery, uniting 3,000+ students from 38 countries across three continents in a mission to design and race energy-efficient vehicles. Under Emota’s comprehensive management, the programme expanded beyond its historic European and Asian presence to include full-service delivery in the USA, marking a significant evolution in its nine-year partnership with Shell.
The programme excelled through several distinctive elements: implementation of sustainable practices that saved 300+ kg of CO2, creation of extensive student villages including a 140-meter workshop space in France, and delivery of 1,500+ safety inductions ensuring secure innovation spaces. Each location featured unique highlights – from NASA collaboration in Indianapolis to cultural integration initiatives in Lombok, Indonesia.
Infrastructure development was impressive in scale: accommodating 1,000 students at the French campsite, managing 1,200+ daily meals in Indonesia, and coordinating extensive technical facilities across all venues. The programme’s success is validated by a 91% student return intention rate and senior client endorsement praising the team’s ability to “go above and beyond.”
This combination of global reach, sustainable innovation, and operational excellence establishes new benchmarks for STEM event delivery while nurturing the next generation of energy leaders.”
Freshwater, British Ports Association Conference 2024
Freshwater worked with Portsmouth International Port (PIP) and the British Ports Association (BPA) team to transform the Port’s new passenger terminal into a venue to host the 2024 BPA Annual Conference and Exhibition. A sold-out, two-day conference programme was supplemented by three high-profile social events held at the city’s Historic Dockyard, including the 2024 BPA Awards and Gala Dinner.
The daytime programme included a trade exhibition featuring 41 international exhibitors over two levels, three sponsored ‘Insight Hub’ sessions, a port machinery showcase and a dedicated ‘surgery’ provided by the Maritime Management Organisation. Innovative event catering featured locally-sourced street food, coffee and pastries.
Freshwater handled all pre-event management and was responsible for managing delegate, sponsorship and exhibition sales to ensure the event was delivered on a ‘cost neutral’ basis. The event team worked with the BPA and PIP to introduce several sustainability features, finalise the speaker programme and execute the promotional programme, while managing all pre-event communications with sponsors, exhibitors and registered delegates.
On site, Freshwater oversaw the event build and ensured the smooth running of the event, managing event photography and video and working closely with the port to meet all health, safety and security requirements.
Orange Door, ServiceNow World Forum Series
ServiceNow’s World Forum 2024 was not just an event series—it was a masterclass in modern event delivery. Across four cities and seven weeks, OrangeDoor created immersive, high-impact experiences for nearly 8,000 attendees, redefining what a corporate event can feel like.
Our role? End-to-end lead agency for the EMEA leg—London, Munich, Paris, and Rotterdam. Our mission? Deliver ‘event magic’ that was emotionally resonant, commercially powerful, and operationally flawless.
We navigated new client stakeholders, budget turbulence, and an aggressive timeline with creativity and precision. The result? A 36% year-on-year sponsor revenue increase, a 32% rise in attendance, and a consistent brand experience that set the tone for the global series.
From lightbox sponsor booths and claw machines to emotionally charged plenaries with DJs and keynote speakers like Sir Lenny Henry and Professor Brian Cox, every touchpoint was designed to surprise and delight. Sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation were embedded—not added on.
What made it stand out? Strategic agility. Creative bravery. Flawless governance. And a team that turned complex into seamless.
This wasn’t just ServiceNow’s biggest EMEA event series. It was a blueprint for the future of global brand experiences.
Ten Thousand Hours, Benefit DNA Conference
The DNA Conference, Benefit UK & Ireland’s flagship employee event, has grown since its 2021 inception to become a global celebration. Held annually in January, the conference celebrates retail excellence, following the holiday trading season. The 2024 conference introduced a refreshed vibrant global brand reveal, immersing attendees in a playful, bold new identity. Hosted at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, the event hosted 485 attendees over two days with a remarkable cost-saving approach, delivering over £200,000 in negotiated savings, achieving a 23% reduction in the event’s budget.
In 2024, Ten Thousand Hours introduced a new format, giving more autonomy to attendees by replacing scheduled travel transfers with public transport guidance videos and friendly coordinators. A new event space design and entertainment tailored to the audience added to the experience, while the challenges of content development delays and national rail strikes were successfully managed.
The DNA Conference set a high standard in employee engagement, contributing to increased staff retention, fostering a deeper connection between employees and the brand. The 2024 event exceeded commercial objectives and secured a three-year retained agency deal with LVMH. This event, hailed as the best yet, was a testament to creativity, collaboration, and resilience.
Wonder, Visa Payments Forum Europe
“You’re actually part of history being here. This is the first time that one of the Paralympic Global Sponsors has held a B2B event over the Paralympics”
These were the words of Visa Europe CEO, Charlotte Hogg, in her keynote at the Visa Payments Forum (VPF) Europe 2024. Inspired by the Paralympic Games’ strength, resilience and innovation, Visa gathered 1,100 senior clients, partners and industry leaders to explore and shape the next frontier of payments.
The central theme of ‘Breaking Boundaries, The Next Frontier’ influenced the event’s build, content and audience experience, with the venue transformed into a vibrant Paralympic-themed space. This included immersive Paralympic sport demonstrations, themed networking zones and breakouts – delivered across distinct ‘Podium Stages’ inspired by sports including Wheelchair Basketball and Swimming.
The culmination of year-long campaigning, VPF was the perfect platform to launch the final phase of a 360° communications campaign, underpinned by 20+ announcements – including the launch of Visa A2A.
VPF Europe 2024 set a new benchmark for Visa. From thought-provoking content and programming to wrap-around storytelling and immersive production design, every detail created unique and memorable moments, bringing to life Visa’s vision for the future and its long-standing commitment to the Paralympics.
