Monday 26th November saw the second annual BALPPA Excellence Awards take place at Drayton Manor Park, held in conjunction with BALPPA’s Leisure, FEC and Indoor Play Trade Exhibition.
Building on the success of its 2017 inaugural event, this year’s awards were bigger and better, with even more categories and winners.
The event celebrated excellence within the leisure industry, providing an opportunity for BALPPA Members and non-Members to nominate others or self-nominate their business across seven categories of awards.
More than 200 people attended the Excellence Awards, and enjoyed a drinks reception, entertainment from Miss Penny, and a sumptuous three-course dinner before the awards ceremony.
BALPPA CEO, Paul Kelly was in charge of the proceedings, and welcomed up the sponsor of each category to present the highly commended, bronze, silver and gold awards to the deserving winners. Congratulations to all the winners, and indeed to everyone who was nominated.
Food and Beverage Award, presented by Regency
- Gold – Head Over Heels
- Silver – Safari MK
- Bronze – Hobbledown
- Highly commended – Mega Fun – Jack In a Box
Attraction under 12,000 sqft Award, presented by AAK
- Gold – Head Over Heels
- Silver – The Bubbles Factory
- Bronze – Mega Fun – Jack In a Box
- Highly commended – Oceans of Fun
Attraction over 12,000 sqft Award, presented by Vennersys
- Gold – Safari MK
- Silver – Kidspace Romford
- Bronze – Riverside Hub
- Highly commended – DJs Play Park
Employee of Excellence, presented by Polestar
- Gold – Jen Brennan, Safari MK
- Silver – Ceili Hatchett, DJS Play Park
- Bronze – Jordan Sharp, Partyman
- Highly commended – Linda Buttress, Oceans of Fun
Supplier of the Year, presented by Indoor Play
- Gold – Craftis
- Silver – Teddy Mountain
- Silver – Regency Purchasing Group
- Bronze – Vimto OOH
- Highly commended – Play Area Hygiene Services
One to Watch (None BALPPA Member), presented by Lorica
- Gold – Otterspool Park
- Silver – The Jungle
- Bronze – Out of Bounds
- Highly commended – Oceans of Fun
Digital Communication, presented by Teddy Mountain
- Gold – Colchester Zoo
- Silver – Blackpool Pleasure Beach
- Bronze – Drayton Manor Park
- Highly commended – Paradise Wildlife Park
- Highly commended – Odds Farm Park
Innovation, presented by Bandai Namco
- Gold – Robin Hill, Jungle Heights
- Silver – Robin Hill, Electric Woods
- Bronze – Riverside Hub
- Highly commended – DJs Play Park
Inclusivity, presented by
- Gold – Sandcastle Waterpark
- Gold – Little Bugs, Web Adventure Park
- Silver – Childcare Hub, Kidsplay
The evening’s chosen charity was Autism Puzzles, and more than £1,200 was raised during the occasion for the worthy cause.
The trade exhibition saw more exhibitors and the purpose of the event was to assist existing leisure operators or those looking to enter the market, to connect with key suppliers and experts already operating within the industry as well as providing network and educational opportunities via a seminar programme.
