The Scottish Event Awards 2026 returned on 30 April, bringing together event professionals from across the country for a night dedicated to recognising excellence, creativity and innovation within the sector.
Held at Glasgow Science Centre and attended by more than 160 industry professionals, the awards were hosted by BBC Scotland presenter Sarah McMullan. The event provided a platform to celebrate the achievements of agencies, suppliers, venues and individuals shaping Scotland’s dynamic events landscape.
With independent judging at its core, the awards continue to uphold a rigorous and transparent evaluation process, recognising best-in-class delivery across a wide range of categories.
This year’s winners showcased the depth of talent across the sector. Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 was awarded Best Large Festival, while the Orkney 2025 International Island Games took home Best Sporting Event. Tiree Music Festival secured Best Small Festival, reinforcing the strength of Scotland’s festival ecosystem.
Sustainability remained a key theme, with Party at the Palace winning Best Sustainable Event, highlighting continued progress towards greener event-delivery practices.
The awards also recognised individual and team excellence, with Fiona Lynn named Best Event Planner and the University of Aberdeen CPD & Events Services Team winning Best Event Team. Rising Star honours went to Caitlin Watt, reflecting the industry’s ongoing investment in emerging talent.
An Impact Award was presented to Welcome Brain Consulting, Seren Events and EICC, recognising collaborative efforts delivering outcomes for the sector.
Judith Wilson, events director at EVENTIT, said: “The Scottish Event Awards are about recognising the people and teams who consistently deliver outstanding work across our industry. From technical delivery and logistics to creative concept and execution, this year’s winners demonstrate the very highest standards.
“It’s also incredibly important to celebrate the next generation of talent, and this year’s Rising Star category highlights the exciting future of the sector.”
The evening also supported Hospitality Health, underlining the industry’s commitment to improving wellbeing and mental health support for event professionals.
Catering was delivered in-house by Glasgow Science Centre, with event partners including photographer Carla Marcia Girvan and videographer SYKD Media.
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