Harrogate Convention Centre named Venue of the Year at AEO Excellence Awards
18 June 2026 - Harrogate Convention Centre (HCC) has been named “Venue of the Year (Less than 20,000 sqm)” at the prestigious AEO Excellence Awards, marking a significant milestone for the North Yorkshire venue.
The win represents HCC’s second major industry award in the past 12 months, after taking home the title of “Most Innovative and High-Tech Venue” at Event Technology Awards in November 2025.
Recognised as one of the leading accolades in the events industry, the AEO (Association of Event Organisers) Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding achievements across venues, organisers and suppliers in the UK and beyond. The panel of judges describe HCC as “a fantastic venue, with a focus on accessibility, sustainability, hospitality and a strong team culture that comes through, not just facing challenges but working hard to overcome them, creating a real asset to the region and its clients.”
The award comes at an exciting time for the venue, with a £9.4 million programme of site improvements currently underway. This includes the highly anticipated transformation of Studio 2 into flexible conference breakout space scheduled to open next year, which is designed to be a gamechanger on HCC’s offering. With these developments progressing, HCC is well positioned to strengthen its appeal to conference and exhibition organisers seeking a versatile, well-connected venue outside London.
Jamila Bray, Head of Venue Sales and Marketing at Harrogate Convention Centre, says “This award is a fantastic recognition of the strength of our team and the relationships we’ve built with organisers across the industry. Winning Venue of the Year at the AEO Excellence Awards – our second industry award in 12 months – reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional events and continually upgrading our offer. With significant investment underway, including the Studio 2 breakout facilities, it is an incredibly exciting time for Harrogate Convention Centre, and we’re looking forward to building on this momentum with our clients and partners.”
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