Founded three years ago by Sarah Austin, Empowered Events has quickly risen to prominence in the world of large-scale event management.
Their company’s flagship project, the British Business Excellence Awards, has become the largest and most respected annual business awards program in the UK. However, behind the scenes, Empowered Events faced a major challenge: how to enhance the judging process to meet the high standards of both judges and participants.
Challenge of excellence
Behind the scenes organizing a sized event British Business Excellence Awards It’s not easy. Over the course of three weeks, more than 50 judges meet in London to evaluate hundreds of applications from the country’s best companies. The judging process is rigorous, requiring meticulous attention to detail and a comprehensive evaluation.
In previous years, judges relied on laptops and tablets to review entries. While digital devices offer convenience, judges’ comments highlighted significant drawbacks. The sterile nature of screens cannot replicate the tactile experience of paper. Referees missed the ability to move back and forth between pages effortlessly, take handwritten notes in the margins, and compare documents side by side.
“Digital wasn’t going to make it work,” Sarah Austin recalls. “Our judges felt disconnected from the material. They wanted to deal with the submissions in a more concrete way.”
Find a solution
The decision to return to printed documents presents new challenges. Printing hundreds of multi-page submissions requires a reliable, high-capacity solution that can handle the volume without compromising quality or efficiency. Outsourcing was considered but quickly rejected due to concerns about cost, control and confidentiality.
“We needed an on-premises solution that was secure and could deliver high-quality prints at scale,” says Austin. “That’s when we started exploring our options.”
After extensive research and consultation, Empowered Events selected the HP LaserJet 3000 with HP EliteBook Ultra AI notebooks. The choice was not made easily. This was the result of careful consideration of the products’ capabilities, reliability and alignment with the company’s specific needs.
Why HP?
Several factors influenced Empowered Events’ decision to partner with HP. the HP LaserJet 3000 It was exceptionally fast, high-resolution output, powerful handling of large print jobs, and for a company still in its infancy, it was affordable and didn’t take up too much office space.
“The LaserJet 3000 offered features that other printers on the market did not,” Austin explains. “Its ability to produce high-quality prints quickly and efficiently was unparalleled. Additionally, ease of maintenance and HP’s customer support were important advantages.”
HP EliteBook Ultra AI laptops complement printers by enhancing team productivity and streamlining operations. Equipped with cutting-edge AI capabilities, these laptops provide advanced data management, security features and seamless communication tools.
“The EliteBook Ultra AI has changed the way our teams collaborate,” notes Austin. “From real-time document editing to secure data handling, it is perfectly integrated into our workflow.”
Technology implementation
While transitioning to new technology requires planning, it requires very little through training. Empowered Events invested time familiarizing its employees with HP systems to ensure seamless integration.
“Our team conducted the HP training webinar,” says Laura Clark, director of operations. “The support we received was excellent. Within a short period, we were able to operate at full capacity and reap the benefits.
HP LaserJet 3000 printers are designed to handle the large print volumes required for the judging process. With features like automatic two-sided printing, high-capacity paper trays, and power saving modes, the printers worked efficiently around the clock.
“We printed over 18,000 pages during the judging period,” Clark explains. “The printers performed flawlessly, with no downtime. This reliability was critical to meeting our tight deadlines.
Enhance productivity and efficiency
The impact of HP technology on event-enabled productivity has been significant. The speed of the HP LaserJet 3000 reduced print times by 40% compared to previous methods. the EliteBook Ultra AI laptops Empower employees to manage tasks more effectively, through AI-powered scheduling, task automation, and enhanced security protocols.
“Routine tasks that used to take long hours have become automated,” says event coordinator Jessica Carter. “AI features have helped us prioritize workloads, detect potential issues before they become problems, and communicate more effectively with judges and participants.”
The combination of high-quality printed materials and advanced computing power raised the overall quality of the judging process. Judges received neatly organized, professional-looking documents, enhancing their ability to focus on content rather than logistical distractions.
Judges’ experience
The judges’ feedback was very positive. The return to printed submissions has been universally welcomed, enriching their assessment experience.
“Having the physical documents was a breath of fresh air,” says Judge Andy Webb, founder of Connectopia. “I could annotate, highlight and compare entries with ease. The print quality was excellent, which made reading and analyzing charts and graphs within the entries much more engaging.”
The improved process also promoted better cooperation between judges. Physical documents allowed for more interactive discussions during panel sessions, leading to more informed and balanced decisions.
“There’s something about gathering around a table with cards in their hands,” adds judge Alison Stewart-Allen. “It encourages dialogue and a deeper level of engagement.”
Measurable business improvements
“Having decided to submit printed entries to the judging panels, we looked at the different options available to us, and by providing printing in-house, we saved external costs and gained greater control over the process,” says Sarah Austin. “Efficiency gains mean we can allocate resources to other areas, such as marketing and customer service.”
Customer satisfaction levels have risen, as evidenced by the positive feedback from both judges and participants. The professionalism and smooth execution of the awards program judging process has enhanced Empowered Events’ reputation in the industry.
“Our judges, partners and sponsors have noticed the difference,” says Megan Gibbs, Director of Public Relations at Empowered Events. “We received many compliments on how well organized and smooth the judging process was this year. With paper, you don’t have to worry about Wi-Fi passwords, accessing power sockets, or judges being distracted by unplanned pop-ups.
Benefits for expatriates
Awards program participants also benefited from improved processes. “As a participant, I was impressed by the way our application was dealt with,” says Phil Parkinson, managing director of Evergreen Group. “Knowing that the judges were engaging with our material in a meaningful way gave us confidence in the fairness of the process.”
Empowered Events’ commitment to excellence extended beyond its direct operations, positively impacting the wider business community involved in the awards.
Future plans and industry impact
Empowered events don’t rest on their laurels. The success of this new technology in the arbitration process has stimulated plans to develop and expand their use of these products.
“We’re exploring HP’s latest innovations to see how we can continue to improve our processes,” says Sarah Austin. “The technology landscape is constantly evolving, and we want to stay ahead of the curve.”
Austin believes other companies in the event management industry could benefit from similar solutions.
“The challenges we face are common in our industry,” she points out. “High-volume printing, efficient data management, and secure communications are critical. HP products provide reliable solutions that can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Specific success stories
One notable success story includes the introduction of AI-driven scheduling through the EliteBook Ultra AI. During the judging period, coordinating the availability of over 50 judges and 8 finalist companies for their 45-minute presentation and Q&A would have been a logistical nightmare in previous years. EliteBook’s AI capabilities analyzed referees’ schedules and optimized meeting times, reducing scheduling conflicts by 70%.
“Scheduling was a huge headache,” admits Carter, the awards coordinator. “AI took over the heavy lifting, and suddenly, everything fell into place seamlessly.”
Another success was the EliteBook Ultra AI’s enhanced security features, which protect sensitive information. With confidential business data being circulated during the awards ceremony, security was paramount.
“Data breaches are a major concern, as participants provide us with highly commercially sensitive information about their business under non-disclosure agreements,” Clark notes. “The EliteBook’s advanced encryption and biometric security features gave us and the finalists peace of mind.”
Empowering the future
The Empowered Events journey demonstrates how adopting the right technology can transform a business. By addressing specific challenges with customized solutions, they have not only improved their operations but also set a new standard in the industry.
“Our experience shows that technology is not just about tools; it is about finding tools that align with your business goals,” says Sarah Austin. “HP understood our vision and provided solutions that enabled us to achieve it.”
Advice for industry
For companies considering similar upgrades, Austin offers this advice: “Identify your core challenges and look for technology that addresses them head-on. Don’t be afraid to invest in high-quality products that offer long-term benefits. Choose partners who provide excellent support and understand the differences.” Details in your field of work.
Empowered Events’ partnership with HP exemplifies how technology can be leveraged to overcome operational challenges and drive business success. By thoughtfully integrating HP LaserJet 3000 and EliteBook Ultra AI into their operations, they not only met immediate needs, but also set a new standard for event management excellence.
“The bottom line is that technology should serve our goals, not dictate them,” says Sarah Austin. “By choosing the right tools, we empowered our team, satisfied our judges and customers, and positioned ourselves for future growth.”
The success of events enabled with HP products shines a broader spotlight for the event management industry and businesses in general. Reliable, high-quality printing solutions like the LaserJet 3000 and advanced features of EliteBook Ultra AI provide cost-effective solutions that can streamline operations, enhance security and improve team collaboration. For sophisticated companies, these tools provide tangible benefits and scalable flexibility; HP Solutions is a partner for business development and growth.
In an age where digital solutions often overshadow traditional approaches, the Empowered Events experience demonstrates the value of balancing the two. By listening to stakeholders and adapting accordingly, they have crafted a process that respects the preferences of their judges while leveraging modern technology to enhance efficiency and quality.
As companies across industries face similar challenges, Empowered Events’ approach serves as an inspiring model. By choosing solutions that aligned with their mission and values, they were able to not only improve their operations, but also strengthen their position as leaders in their field.
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