In keeping with its status as the industry’s annual opportunity to celebrate excellence in all of its forms EAG Expo 2024 (16-18 January ExCeL London) has been selected to host the Bacta Awards. 

The UK trade association initiative is made up of five categories comprising the High Street Hero, Seaside Saviour, Supply Chain Champion, the Green Giant and The Jimmy Thomas Rising Star Award which was launched in honour and memory of the late Jimmy Thomas, a doyen of the industry. With the exception of the Green Giant which recognises the endeavours made by organisations to protect the environment, the awards are recognition of those individuals who have excelled in a specific category. The Awards will be judged by an independent industry panel which will include EAG Chairman Martin Burlin who has served bacta in a number of capacities including a period as National President.

Previewing the Awards Martin Burlin stated: “EAG and before it ATEI provided a platform for excellence not just in terms of the ground-breaking product that’s unveiled each year at show but also as an opportunity to recognise those individuals who have gone beyond the call of duty in terms of their contribution to specific sectors and to society in general.

“It is fitting that we are making Awards dedicated to the seaside, to the high street and to the supply chain – all sectors that are comprehensively represented by our exhibitors and by the free seminar programme that’s all part of the EAG experience. As well as having a history that dates back to 1936, EAG is also very much about the future and I’m delighted that we will be able to honour the industry’s future leaders courtesy of the Jimmy Thomas Rising Star Award and the Green Giant for companies that have introduced environmentally friendly practices.

“EAG is an opportunity for all sectors of our industry to come together, to network, to socialise, to see the ‘best of the best’ in terms of both product and people and start the business year in the best possible way.”

EAG is on course to eclipse the success of the 2023 edition which attracted a year-on-year increase in attendance of 36% and a show floor comprising 72 exhibitors occupying 80 stands across 3,726 square metres of net space.