Nominate someone for free. To be considered by the judges, the nominee must complete a separate award entry when entry opens.
About this award
Events Extraordinaire Award recognizes outstanding creative, media and entertainment work in Events and Live Entertainment, for planners and producers of unforgettable moments. One honoree is named an IGNICON of the field, chosen by an independent panel.
Who can enter?
Artists, producers, creators, performers and event makers
Work released, shown or performed to a real audience
Independent and commercial creators alike
What did they accomplish?
Links to the work itself
Audience, streams, attendance or sales figures
Reviews, press and awards from others
Behind-the-scenes process material
How entering works
Start free. Nominate someone using the free nomination form. Paid entry is opening soon; no payment is required to nominate.
Build your entry before December 31, 2026. Entry fees are shown before you submit.
Independent judging evaluates each entry against the published rubric below.
Top 5 finalists are selected in each category. Winners are announced by January 31, 2027.
Optional paid extras, such as promotion or add-ons, never affect a judging score. Scores come only from the independent panel and the rubric.
Top 5 finalists
The independent panel selects five finalists in each category.
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Sample 1
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Sample 2
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Sample 3
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Sample 4
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Sample 5
Illustrative category artwork — not an announcement of finalists.
People’s Pick
People’s Pick celebrates audience support alongside the awards. It is separate from the independent panel’s category decision.
What judges look for
A 100-point rubric applied by an independent panel.
01
Impact
30pts
The difference the work has made.
Judges weigh the real difference the work has made: who benefited, how much changed, and how lasting that change is. Scale matters less than clear, credible outcomes.
Useful evidence
Before-and-after figures or outcomes
Testimonials from people served
Press, reports or third-party recognition
02
Innovation
25pts
Original thinking and meaningful improvement.
Original thinking that meaningfully improves on what came before. Judges look for a new approach, a smarter process, or a fresh answer to a familiar problem.
Useful evidence
What was new and why it mattered
Prototypes, launches or patents
Comparison with the usual approach
03
Leadership
20pts
How the entrant has led and inspired others.
How the entrant led, inspired and developed others. Judges value decisions under pressure, people brought along, and leadership shown with or without a title.
Useful evidence
Teams built, mentored or rallied
Hard decisions and their results
Endorsements from colleagues
04
Results and growth
15pts
Evidence of achievement and development.
Measurable achievement and development over time. Judges look for progress against goals and honest lessons learned along the way.
Useful evidence
Milestones, growth or revenue trends
Goals set and goals met
Skills, credentials or capacity gained
05
Community and purpose
10pts
Contribution to people and purpose.
Contribution beyond the entrant: to people, causes and the wider field. Judges look for purpose that shows up in action, not just in a mission statement.
Useful evidence
Volunteer, giving or outreach work
Partnerships with local groups
Access or opportunity created for others
Sharing is optional and never affects judging. Celebrate your nominee without changing their score. Social sharing, likes, votes and purchases of courses or other products do not count toward judged scores. People’s Pick is separate honorary recognition and carries no cash prize.
Include the nominee’s name and award category in your post. For Junior entries, only a parent or guardian may choose to share; the child does not need a social-media account. This is separate from written permission for IGNICON to publish a Junior profile or photo.
Sharing is optional and never affects judging. People’s Pick votes, likes, followers and post views do not affect the judges’ score.
Support this industry
Stronger industries. Brighter futures.
Behind every career is a person, a family and a dream. Help us build partnerships that connect ambition with opportunity, strengthen our workforce and help communities thrive.
What we’re working toward
Pathways into work. Expand access to internships, mentoring and practical experience that can help people take their next career step.
A start for new ideas. Develop start-up support and funding opportunities that help aspiring founders turn an idea into a livelihood.
Stronger families and communities. Help people build skills, pursue meaningful work and create a more secure future for the people who depend on them.
These are planned partnership priorities, not currently funded benefits. Program details, funding allocations and eligibility will be confirmed before support is offered. Sponsorship never affects award judging.
Award calendarNominations are open year-round. This category's 2027 judging-cycle entry deadline is December 31, 2027.
Top 5 finalistsFive finalists are selected in each category.
JudgingIndependent panel · published 100-point rubric
ResultsAnnounced after this category’s 2027 judging cycle.
AdultsAdults can enter themselves or be nominated. Nominating is free.
Under 18 (Junior)A parent or guardian must approve before anything about a minor is published.
Fees$25 early bird through December 5, 2026, then $35 from December 6. Nomination is free. Judging entry opens soon. Entry fee does not guarantee a win. Optional paid extras never affect judging.
Check your included benefits first. Flame entry includes a Letter of Distinction. Icon includes the letter, Spotlight Star, seven-day promotional ticker and entry advisory review when paid entry opens. Do not purchase these again if included in your entry tier.
Optional extras
Make the moment visible.
Optional, paid, and never required. Nothing here changes judging, scoring, finalist selection or People’s Pick votes. Free nomination and entry eligibility are unaffected.
Presentation upgrade · $99
Letter of Distinction
A personalized letter on IGNICON letterhead with the gold seal. $99; availability confirmed on request.
Cover placement, about a 30-minute interview, digital issue and shareable cover. Cover features in special editions are paid placements, separate from judging, and subject to approved issue inventory.
Planned visibility items: Spotlight Star ($19), nominee ticker ($29 for 7 days) and an entry advisory review ($49, by the IGNICON team, not judges), or all three as the Icon Boost ($79, save $18). Ask about availability; placement is not guaranteed.
Add a Letter of Distinction with Recognition ($149), or add the letter and a Special Edition cover with Spotlight ($599). Cover availability is subject to approved issue inventory. Compare the packages. Inquiries only; online checkout is not active.
Included for every nominee: one year of digital access to The IGNICON Review. After that, renewal is optional at $1 per month or $10 per year—never automatically charged without consent.
Entry fees and the nominee kit are part of entry, not extras. Samples are illustrative layouts, not issued documents.
Purchases add visibility, review or feedback only. They never affect judges' scores or results.