Event organiser Turret Middle East was the star of the inaugural Middle East Event Awards, which took place recently at the Al Multaqua Ballroom in the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The company's first award was for Best Meeting/Conference for more than 200 people, which Turret won for its work organising the excellent First World Future Energy Summit.

The event organiser also walked away with the Best Fair/Festival in the Middle East for Taste of Dubai.



AND THE WINNER IS… Turret Middle East chief executive Richard Hease receives one of two awards from Rob Nicholas, managing director of NPI Publishing, Dubai


Other notable winners were Action Impact, which won Best Event-Based Product or Service Launch for the Formula One Launch Abu Dhabi and Best Cultural Event for Du's Ramadan Tent. Meanwhile, Best Inbound Incentive Programme was secured by Emeco Travel for its Tour for DIAC, and Best Public Entertainment Event was won by Chillout Productions for the Dubai International Jazz Festival.

Presented by meeting and events industry publication meetme (Meet Middle East) magazine and hosted by Event 360, the Middle East Event Awards awards programme was open to companies who plan, manage, supply or service exhibitions; consumer, corporate and public events; weddings, parties, concerts, venues and theatres. Its aim was to honour, reward and recognise the region's leading events, suppliers and personnel.

The nominations were judged by an independent panel made-up of internationally recognised and respected judges from a variety of industry sectors and disciplines. Entries were eligible for events that have taken place in the Middle East between 1 Jan 2007 and 29 February 2008.