FESPA Named ‘Organiser Team of the Year’ at AEO Excellence Awards

Association recognised for global exhibition performance, sustainability initiatives and community-focused programmes

FESPA has been named ‘Organiser Team of the Year’ by the Association of Event Organisers (AEO) at the AEO Excellence Awards.

According to FESPA, the award recognises its contribution to the global events industry, its delivery of international exhibitions and the work of its global team operating across multiple regions.

As part of its award submission, FESPA highlighted growth in visitor attendance, exhibitor satisfaction and engagement across its international exhibition portfolio. The submission also noted consistently high levels of decision-maker attendance and commercial outcomes for participating exhibitors.

Alongside its exhibition activities, FESPA outlined initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact and supporting communities through its programmes.

Through its Profit for Purpose programme, the organisation stated that it reinvests 100% of event profits into the global print community through its international Association network.

FESPA also operates the FESPA Foundation, which develops educational resources for schools and communities using surplus printed materials from FESPA exhibitions. Since its launch in 2025, the Foundation has supported schools in South Africa and Brazil by providing educational resources, funding and infrastructure improvements that have directly benefited more than 1,000 students.

The organisation also reported progress in its sustainability initiatives. This year, FESPA obtained ISO 20121:2024 certification for Sustainable Event Management, following its ISO 20121:2012 certification in 2025. It also recorded year-on-year CO₂e reductions between its 2024 and 2025 exhibitions.

In addition to its exhibitions, FESPA organises conference programmes alongside its global events to provide industry insights, market trends and business opportunities. Its global Association network also conducts educational events and conferences throughout the year for local communities.

Commenting on the recognition, Neil Felton, CEO, FESPA, said:

“This award-win was made possible thanks to the passion, dedication and resilience of our global team, who consistently go above and beyond to deliver exceptional events for the print sector and its related industries. What makes FESPA different is our purpose-led approach, as everything we do is rooted in our mission to ‘Connect, Inspire and Support’ our global community.

“We are incredibly proud that our events drive commercial success for our exhibitors and partners, yet also create lasting impact on communities in need through initiatives such as the FESPA Foundation.

“This win reflects the collective efforts of our team, our members and our wider community, all of whom play a vital role in making FESPA what it is today.”