CHICAGO, Illinois, August 1, 2018 — PCMA Convene magazine has announced the top picks of its annual Best in Show competition, shining a spotlight on the places, initiatives, and elements — across 11 categories — that raise the bar in the live-events industry. Nominated by Convene readers and vetted by its editors, the featured Best in Show nominees are published in the magazine’s August 2018 issue, available in print as well as in an extended online story showcasing other outstanding nominations at convn.org/Best-In-Show-2018.

This year, to complement the Best in Show awardees, Convene’s editors reached out to thought leaders inside and outside the meetings industry and asked them to share how they think the business of producing events has been elevated in recent years.

“All together, it’s an uplifting package that reinforces why so many of us are passionate about this industry,” said Michelle Russell, Convene’s editor in chief. “And to emphasize that Best in Show isn’t so much a competition as an opportunity to demonstrate the creativity and variety that make business events so dynamic, we’re showcasing many of the nominations that may have not made it into the print edition, but still serve as stellar industry examples. Congratulations to all those featured in this year’s Best in Show, and thanks to everyone who took the time to send us their nominations.”

Here are the Best in Show awardees featured in Convene’s August issue, listed in no particular order:

Most Creative Destination Video
“One-Year Countdown to International Ornithological Congress 2018, Vancouver,” Tourism Vancouver

Most Original Off-Site Venue
Old Melbourne Gaol, Melbourne, Australia

Hottest Hotel Space
Espace C2, The Queen Elizabeth, Montreal, Canada

Mind-Blowing Set Design & Staging
2017 GameStop Conference and WB Injustice eSports Tournament

IBABC Centennial Gala, Vancouver’s BC Place, Vancouver, Canada

Insanely Innovative Meeting Space
The Lawn on D, Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Boston

Savviest Social Media Campaign
Social Concierge program, Tourism Vancouver

Best Venue for Small Meetings
The Lytle House, Chicago

Best Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative
Trend Micro’s Internet Safety for Kids Program and World Fair, Vancouver, Canada

American Association of Diabetes Educators’ AADE Community Diabetes Education Fair, Indianapolis

Innovative Event Technology
eventScribe Boost and Conference Harvester Logistics Module, CadmiumCD

Most Awe-Inspiring Outdoor Space
The Jardin Suspendu, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, France

Fab F&B
BG Events and Catering’s Draper Laboratory event, Boston