Promoter of the Year
Promoters have a key role to play in the Middle East’s thriving live entertainment industry, particularly in terms of staging major events that raise the profile of the industry both locally and internationally. The rapid expansion of this industry sector in recent years is testament to its commercial potential. Candidates for the award must demonstrate a high-degree of professionalism in every facet of their commercial operations, as well as the ability to deliver successful, high-profile events.

Hospitality AV manager of the year
The unsung heroes of the AV technical support industry, hospitality AV managers have a fundamental role to play in ensuring technical service and support standards covering every aspect of an hotelier’s AV infrastructure. In a resort-style environment, these responsibilities can range from maintaining sound and lighting technology in a nightclub through to ensuring quality delivery of in-room video-on-demand services.

Sound engineer of the year
Sound engineers play a vital role in monitoring sound quality and ensuring the sonic quality of a live event or concert. Nominees must have demonstrable professional experience working in a large-scale live entertainment environment during the preceding 12 months.

Best new projection/display technology of the year
This award will honour the manufacturer of what is judged to be the single most important or groundbreaking new commercial display technology released in 2007. The category is open to all digital projection and/or display manufacturers maintaining a local presence (whether via distribution partners) in the Middle East.

GCC venue of the year
The growth of the live events sector is also having a positive impact on the number of cutting-edge venues being established across the region. This award will recognise the best live venue in the region over the previous 12 months. It is open to all operators of nightclubs, indoor and outdoor venues.

Studio recording facility of the year
The professional recording sector, particularly in the GCC, is booming, with the influx of new artists only matched by the number of new recording studios being established across the region. This award will recognise the Middle East’s best studio facility. It will be judged according to the facility’s technical capabilities and equipment list, as well as its record of achievement over the previous 12 months.

Best hospitality AV install of the year
This award will recognise the best single AV hospitality project of 2007. The category will recognise the venue operator and systems integration partner. It is open to all hospitality venues including nightclubs, bars, restaurants and lounges that have benefited from a large-scale AV install during the preceding 12 months.

Distributor of the year
This award will recognise excellence in the product distribution sector. Potential nominees include single-brand and multi-brand distributors, exclusive brand-rights holders, resellers and pan-regional organisations. The winner must demonstrate excellence in every facet of their commercial operation, from fostering strong client service relationships and after-sales service, to brand promotion and marketing.

Equipment rental firm of the year
This award will recognise the region’s top AV equipment supplier to the live events industry. The winner must demonstrate excellence in every facet of their commercial operation, from fostering strong client service relationships and after-sales service, to brand promotion and marketing.

Best new pro audio technology of the year
This award will honour the manufacturer of what is judged to be the single most important or groundbreaking new pro audio technology released in 2007. The category is open to all pro audio manufacturers maintaining a local presence (whether via distribution partners) in the Middle East.

Best new lighting technology of the year
This award will recognise the manufacturer of what is judged to be the single most important or groundbreaking new lighting technology released in 2007. The category is open to all lighting manufacturers (stage and architectural) maintaining a local presence (whether via distribution partners) in the Middle East.