Sustainability and service recognised at the Conference & Events Awards
As the events industry gathered at Evolution London for the Conference & Events Awards 2026, our teams had plenty to celebrate.
IET London: Savoy Place and IET Birmingham: Austin Court were named winners of the Sustainability Award for Venues, with Austin Court also taking Bronze in the Best Venue – Customer Service category.
Despite recognising different achievements, both awards reflect the same goal: creating exceptional event experiences while operating responsibly and sustainably.
Sustainability is embedded across both venues, influencing operational decisions, staff development and the choices available to clients looking to reduce the environmental impact of their events. From responsible sourcing and more sustainable catering options to reducing waste and improving operational efficiency, it's an approach that considers the wider supply chain as well as the event itself.
"The award for Sustainability is so relevant and reflects the team's dedication to continuous improvement in this category. Community engagement and donating surplus food, books and time has been uplifting for the team too. We are very proud of our local footprint."
Sean Spencer, Head of Venues
In their feedback, the Conference & Events Awards judges described IET Venues as having an "impressive track record of sustainability", recognising the successful partnerships supporting our goals, our well-trained teams and the ambitious plans in place for the future.
IET Birmingham: Austin Court's customer service award reflects the relationships the team builds with clients and the level of care and expertise it brings to every event.
Last year, Austin Court welcomed almost 27,000 visitors across around 650 events, from major conferences and training programmes to networking events, awards ceremonies and community gatherings. No two events were alike, but clients could always expect the same thing: a responsive team, proactive communication and a team who genuinely care about the success of their event.
That means adapting quickly when plans change, solving technical challenges and supporting organisers from first enquiry through to final guest departure. It's an approach that has helped IET Birmingham: Austin Court achieve a 75% repeat business rate, with one client describing the team as "reassuring, responsive and exceptional".
"We are delighted to receive the Bronze Award for Customer Service at the Conference & Events Awards. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and passion of our entire team at IET Birmingham: Austin Court, who consistently deliver a personal yet professional service, always striving to anticipate and exceed our customers' expectations. Our flexibility, attention to detail, and commitment to creating exceptional experiences have helped us build lasting relationships with many clients who have returned to our venue for over two decades. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and grateful to our customers for their continued trust and support."
Akmal Shahzad, Venue Manager, IET Birmingham: Austin Court.
Behind these awards are the people who bring our venues to life every day. From event coordinators and video broadcast specialists to operations, catering teams and venue staff, it's their expertise and commitment that turn ideas into successful events.
They're also the people driving the sustainability initiatives and day-to-day innovations that continue to move our venues forward.
These awards are a proud moment for our teams, but they're really a reflection of the people behind them. Every event delivered, client relationship built and improvement made across our venues starts with teams who care deeply about what they do.