beam, the trade association for the business events, accommodation, and meetings sector, has announced the finalists for its inaugural 2026 beam Awards, recognising exceptional leadership, innovation, and collaboration across the industry.
The judging panel has selected standout finalists across five categories, and the winners will be revealed at the beam Gala Dinner on 30 January 2026 in the Masters Suite at The Belfry.
Below are the finalists in each award category:
Agency Leader of the Year
- Anna Snoep – Inntel
- Nick Scott – arrangeMY
- Joanne Wilson – ACE Bookings
General Manager of the Year
- Ioannis Koletakis – Novotel London West
- Sally Beck – Royal Lancaster London
- Varun Shetty – The Belfry Hotel & Resort
Collaboration of the Year
- Inspiring Leadership’s Annual Conference – Blackberry Events and The National Association of Head Teachers
- Inntel’s Instant Book Function – Inntel and Venuedirectory
- Neurodiversity in Events Checklist – EICC, Welcome Brain, ABPCO, Azura, Meet Cambridge and RCPsych
Spirit of beam (exclusive to beam members)
- Andrew Deakin – Conference Care
- Deborah Collins – The Belfry Hotel & Resort
- Danny Yates – Clermont Hotel Group
Chris Peacock Young Champion of Change Award
- Andriana Kyriakaki – Novotel London West
- Sarah Lee – arrangeMY
Louisa Watson, Chair of beam, commented: “We’re delighted to reveal an outstanding group of finalists for the inaugural beam Awards. The calibre of nominations across every category was exceptional, showcasing real collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence across our industry.
“The Spirit of beam Award was especially compelling, with nominees clearly demonstrating a deep understanding of, and alignment with, the association’s values. It was both inspiring and incredibly difficult to judge, with each submission telling a powerful story of leadership and impact.
“My sincere thanks go to our judges, who dedicated valuable time to reviewing each entry with such care. As we look ahead to our Gala Dinner in January, we’re excited to celebrate these achievements and the positive impact they continue to make across our industry.”
The 2026 beam Awards mark a new chapter for beam, building on the success of the Chris Peacock Young Champion of Change Award by adding four additional categories. Find out more about each category here: https://beam-org.uk/2026-beam-awards/
