At the time of writing, little more than 36 hours remained until the 2025 routeone Awards presentation evening. The culmination of a long process to arrive at the 16 winners will see those parties named in front of a 900-strong full house in Birmingham. Social media shows that anticipation has built to a crescendo.
Much has changed in the coach and bus industry, both over the last five-and-a-half years and before that. But some things stay constant, and the appetite for a good evening in the company of operator, supplier and stakeholder colleagues and friends while recognising the best in the sector and enjoying fine food, wine and entertainment is resounding.
Nomination and entry numbers to the routeone Awards both reached a new high in 2025. That follows a record-breaking attendance in 2024 after relocation to The Vox at Resorts World Birmingham, a feat that will be repeated shortly as the presentation evening sits in a standalone format during an off year for trade show Euro Bus Expo.
Recognising and rewarding the best is an important part of pushing the industry on. For those young people in the earlier parts of their careers, what better motivator than being shortlisted in, or even winning, a category – or for an operator, standing up in front of 900 of their peers after being named one of the best?
Online gatherings have a place in the modern would, but the ‘fatigue’ that can come with large numbers of them is evident to many. Other new concepts that have arrived over recent years also shake things up in a way that would have been unthinkable a decade ago.
But the age-old highlight of coming together, chewing the fat with friends and colleagues old and new and enjoying a good evening in fine company while celebrating the best of what is the ultimate people business will endure.
This year’s routeone Awards presentation ceremony has not only sold out its 900 positions in the room; backing from industry partners and supporters is in the same place. Dust off your evening dresses, your dinner jackets and your bow ties: the industry’s night of the year is almost here.
