Judging for the 2023 routeone Awards is complete ahead of the industry’s leading recognition scheme making a hotly-anticipated return to the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Wednesday 8 November.
A two-day gathering on 14 and 15 August saw the seven-strong panel of judges meet to agree the winners in all 16 categories, including the coveted Special Award. The 2023 routeone Awards come after an acclaimed sell-out return for the concept in 2022.
Many members of the industry – from those in the early throes of their careers to others with stellar CVs, and from the smallest operators to the largest – were called for interview in people categories, with a strong and varied list of winners across the board now confirmed.
The identities of those operators and people will remain closely guarded until the presentation evening. There, guests will be treated to the customary fine dining and entertainment from a first-class comedian and co-host in what will undoubtedly be the coach and bus industry’s networking and social event of the year.
Judges were quick to praise the diversity in age and experience among this year’s finalists, with panel members noting that many difficult decisions were necessary in arriving at the winners. That includes the Coach Tourism Programme of the Year category, which makes its debut this year.
As ever, the judging process is founded upon peer nomination. After that comes an invitation to enter, following which work by the judges to arrive at a shortlist begins. They ultimately complete the process with final decisions upon the winners.
This year’s panel consists of industry experts from the operating, vehicle engineering, consultancy, and regulatory fields. All have enjoyed long and successful careers in their respective discipline and they once again assured that the judging process was fair yet rigorous.
Ticket sales for the presentation evening are progressing well, but space remains available. As with 2022, early indications are that 2023’s event will sell out. For pricing information and to book individual seats and full tables, please visit the routeone Awards website.
A small number of sponsor and partner packages are also on offer. More information on those can be found by contacting Events Sales Manager Martin Laverton via email.
