The chief executive of Melville Event and Exhibition Services and a subsidiary of the GES Exposition Network, Nick Marshall, was awarded the highest of honours at the Association of Event Organisers Awards, today, for his outstanding contribution to the exhibition and events industry.

At a packed Earls Court Two, and enjoying some home-made sustainability by sharing infrastructure with an event the previous night, the UK exhibitions fraternity turned out in its droves to see a well deserved award handed out to an industry officer and gentleman who has masterminded the survival and growth of the largest UK exhibition services contractor amid torrid commoditisation within the sector.

Nick Marshall honoured for services to the exhibitions industry

It wasn’t all a Melville fairy tale, though, as a resurgent Opex Group picked up a number of contracting awards through its own subsidiary, Stanco Exhibitions, and it wasn’t until late in the day that Melville enjoyed a second visit to the podium for Service Supplier of the Year.

So, without further ado, here are the winners and riders:

Shell Scheme Provider of the Year: Stanco Exhibitions (Opex Group)

Venue team of the Year: The Brewery

Stand Design and Build: BMB

Exhibition Logistics Provider of the Year: International Lifting and Shipping (ILS)

Marketing Campaign of the Year: Label Expo (Tarsus Group plc)

Best Show under 2,000 square metres: Wine+ (FreshRM)

Unsung Hero: Ron Coverdale (Camden Exhibition Services)

Best Launch Show: World Future Energy Summit (Turret Middle East)

Equipment Supplier of the Year: Stanco Exhibitions (Opex Group)

Best Event - Non Exhibition: Music Week Awards (CMPi)

Service Supplier of the Year: Melville Electrical Services

Venue of the Year: O2

Best Consumer Show over 2,000 square metres: Collins Stewart London Boat Show

Sustainable Initiative of the Year: BS8901 by EC&O Venues

Best Trade Show over 2000m: Pure (Emap TPS)

The exhibition association event enjoyed excellent hosting with Rob Brydon bringing a sense of proportion to the significance of the gathering as did Jane Risby-Rose`s excellent tribute to Marshall following the usual grandee opener.

Well done to the winners, and the biggest salute has to go to the much respected Nick Marshall.