The 2010 Exhibition News Awards took place at the Lancaster London hotel on Friday 7 May, bringing the UK and international exhibition community together to celebrate the industry’s finest achievements of the past year.

Acclaimed comedian Rufus Hound, star of TV’s Argumental and Celebrity Juice, and perhaps best known for dressing up as Cheryl Cole and dancing to Fight For This Love at 2010's Let's Dance for Sport Relief, kicked off the event with a scorching stand-up routine, before settling into his duties as master of ceremonies.

This year’s Black Tie event, attended by over 500 guests, had a stronger international flavour than ever before, with guests and nominees from Singapore, Poland and Russia among those vying for honours. The bar was also set higher than ever, with over 15 entries in several categories and a massive 39 per cent increase nominations. The EN voting system has always been ahead of the political process and there was a near quadrupling of readers’ votes, the ultimate democratic decider of who picked up the accolades.

With three shortlisted candidates fighting it out in each category, this year’s winners were:

Award 1 – Most Impressive Visitor Experience:

Brand Events – Taste of London

Award 2 – Best Venue Support:

Excel London

Award 3 – Best Event Sponsorship Package:

Brand Events – Taste of London

Award 4 – Most Impressive Growth of an Event:

Media 10 – Grand Designs Live, Birmingham

Award 5 – Most Effective Visitor Promotion Campaign:

Media 10 – Grand Designs Live, Birmingham

Award 6 – Most Effective Team:

William Reed Business Media

Award 7 – Contractor of the Year:

Melville Exhibition and Event Services

Award 8 – Best International Venue:

ADNEC

Award 9 – Best International Exhibition:

EIBTM - Reed Travel Exhibitions

Award 10 – The Green Award:

ACC Liverpool

Award 11 – Best UK Venue:

Excel London

Award 12 – Best Launch Exhibition:

Masterchef Live produced by Haymarket Exhibitions

Award 13 – Best Design and Build Contractor:

Helix 3D

Award 14 – Innovation of the Year:

GL Events Owen Brown

For photos of the event, and a list of both winners and finalists, check the June issue of Exhibition News.