Harrogate Convention Centre (HCC) has been named “Venue of the Year (Less than 20,000 sqm)” at the annual Association of Event Organisers (AEO) Excellence Awards in London.
The national honor marks the North Yorkshire venue’s second major industry accolade over the last 12 months, following its recognition for digital integration at the Event Technology Awards late last year. The AEO represents the core infrastructure of the UK exhibition sector, with its collective membership managing more than 2,000 corporate and consumer events annually.
The Harrogate site secured the top spot from a competitive regional shortlist that included the Business Design Centre in London, Royal Armouries, ICC Belfast, and the Liverpool Experience Campus.
In their official summary, the AEO judging panel highlighted the venue’s operational focus on regional accessibility, long-term environmental sustainability, and its proactive workplace culture in navigating sector challenges.
The announcement aligns with an active capital improvement program at the King’s Road complex, which includes the ongoing engineering transformation of Studio 2 into a modernized, flexible conference breakout facility scheduled for completion next year.
Michael Constantine, Head of Operations at Harrogate Convention Centre, said:
We’re incredibly proud to bring home this prestigious award. It’s a testament to the ambition and hard work of our team and would not have been possible without the support of our partners and North Yorkshire Council. With improvement works taking shape across the site – including the upcoming Studio 2 breakout space – we’re entering an exciting chapter of growth. This recognition helps put Harrogate and North Yorkshire firmly on the map as a destination for world-class events.
Further details regarding upcoming trade exhibition bookings and public scheduling can be verified via the official Harrogate Convention Centre digital platform.
