Submissions now open: MICE Hall of Fame Award seeks impact that can be demonstrated

With immediate effect, organisations and individuals from the meetings, incentives, conferences and events sector in German-speaking countries can submit their applications for the MICE Hall of Fame Award. Applications can be submitted online via www.mice-hall-of-fame.com until 31 January 2027. A ten-member jury – comprising experts from associations, trade media, universities, agencies and the hospitality industry – will decide on the winners based on an evaluation matrix that focuses on measurable impact, transformation and relevance. The awards will be presented on 29 April 2027 at the first awards ceremony in the new format at the Rheinterrassen in Düsseldorf.

The question is: what will be different afterwards?

In May this year, Ulf Gassner (CONCEPT X), Matthias Beinlich (b’mine hotels) and Jens Ihsen (Düsseldorf Convention) announced the reorientation of this long-established award. With the opening of submissions, the new benchmark is now within reach. Applicants should be able to demonstrate what has changed as a result of their own initiative: in key figures, in processes or in the way others in the industry work today. Whether it’s sustainability, technology, leadership, creativity or innovation – the topic is open, but proving the impact is not.

“A good submission doesn’t tell us, for example, how wonderful a project was. It shows what has changed as a result, or how the initiative has opened up new perspectives in a changing market,” says Ulf Gassner, Managing Partner at CONCEPT X. “What matters is not the size or profile of the entrants, but the impact on the industry!”

An overview of the award categories

Awards for organisations: Agencies, service providers, as well as hotels, venues and destinations, can enter initiatives that generate momentum within the industry beyond the scope of a single event. The MICE Hall of Fame Award is presented in gold, silver and bronze.

Awards for individuals: We are looking for the Newcomer of the Year – a young professional who has made an impact beyond their own role in a short space of time – and the Manager of the Year, who helps shape the organisation and the sector with a clear stance and a sense of responsibility. Applications must be submitted by the individual concerned. Nominations of suitable candidates are welcome; these individuals will then be specifically invited to submit their applications.

Special category: Lifetime Achievement Award: Applications cannot be submitted for this award. Suitable entrepreneurs, business owners and managing directors whose life’s work has shaped the MICE industry are nominated by the jury and the organisers.

Five criteria, ten votes, one average

Each category is assessed according to five specific criteria, with each criterion scored on a scale of 1 to 10. For organisations, the criteria include measurable impact, contribution to transformation, degree of innovation, relevance to future-oriented topics such as sustainability, AI or skilled labour, as well as scalability and multiplier effect. For the Newcomer category, the focus is on, amongst other things, the impetus for innovation, the momentum for change and future potential; for Manager of the Year, the emphasis is on strategic impact, leadership and the promotion of innovation.

Each jury member evaluates the entries independently. The result is converted to a scale of 10 to 100 points, with the average of all ten jury votes being decisive. Finally, each juror explains in a single sentence why a nomination deserves the award. The jury is bound by a Code of Conduct: conflicts of interest are disclosed prior to the assessment, and anyone with a conflict of interest abstains from voting. Company size, budget or brand recognition play no part in the assessment.

“An award is only as valuable as the trust placed in its jury,” says Matthias Beinlich, CEO of b’mine hotels. “That is why we are transparent about how the evaluation is carried out. At the same time, the MICE Hall of Fame Award is intended to be one thing above all else: a platform for companies and individuals who drive our industry forward with ideas, courage and passion. We want to highlight successes, innovations and exceptional commitment that inspire others and provide lasting impetus for the future of the MICE world.”

The jury: Peter Blach (BlachReport), Brit Glocke (Tophotel), Jesper Götsch (Jazzunique), Tanja Knecht (MICE Impact), Andreas Laube (MCI Germany), Prof. Stefan Luppold (IMKEM), Heike Mahmoud (former COO, Estrel Berlin), Maxi Neßmann (Event Partner / NEO Summit), Alexander Ostermaier (forward live) and Prof. Kim Werner (Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences).

Here’s how to submit your entry via www.mice-hall-of-fame.com:

1. Select a category: Institution or Individual (Newcomer or Manager of the Year).

2. Complete the application form for an initiative from the period 1 January to 31 December 2026.

3. Record a short video of between 30 and 60 seconds.

4. Submit your application by 31 January 2027. The entry fee is EUR 249.00.

Once the submission deadline has passed, the jury will evaluate the entries. The awards ceremony will take place on 29 April 2027 at the Rheinterrassen in Düsseldorf.

About the MICE Hall of Fame Award

The MICE Hall of Fame Award has been a fixture in the meetings, incentives, congresses and events industry in German-speaking countries since 2012 and was significantly shaped by industry expert Gerald Huft. Since 2026, CONCEPT X, b’mine hotels and Düsseldorf Convention have been continuing the award in a new format.

The focus is on measurable impact, strategic transformation and lasting relevance.

The award honours institutions and individuals who are actively shaping the transformation of the MICE industry and setting new standards. The first awards ceremony in the new format will take place on 29 April 2027 at the Rheinterrassen Düsseldorf.