From karaoke to Catchphrase, live.
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In short —
With record entries and Stephen Mulhern hosting, the 2020 Security & Fire Excellence Awards proved you can absolutely translate "live" to digital — without losing an ounce of the celebration.
An awards programme that wouldn't be stopped
Like many organisations, the organisers of the Security & Fire Excellence Awards faced moving to an online platform to deliver their 2020 awards ceremony. Having turned to Evessio's Awards Room for help, the event took place on 25 November and was hosted by Stephen Mulhern, who brought the virtual house down with his trademark humour and even a live game of Catchphrase.
Despite the challenges 2020 brought, the awards received a record high number of entries. The programme continued to be supported by IFSEC International and FIREX International, alongside headline sponsors First Response Group and Aico.
Record entries
Despite the year's disruptions, the programme grew rather than shrank.
Big-name host
Stephen Mulhern brought trademark energy — and a live Catchphrase round.
Industry karaoke
Wonderwall opened the night. Energy peaked early and held.
Headline sponsors
First Response Group and Aico kept their brand front and centre throughout.
The room wanted to celebrate
The desire to gather and celebrate didn't disappear with the lockdowns — it intensified. That came through clearly in the Awards Room chat, where guests' feedback rolled in throughout the night.
The organisers leaned into what the Awards Room could do. The night opened with the industry's karaoke rendition of Wonderwall by Oasis, and that energy carried right through — high-energy stings from Rockaoke punctuated each award announcement.
A virtual room can deliver every bit the energy of a live one.
With the right platform — and the right host — a virtual ceremony doesn't have to mean a smaller occasion. It can be just as memorable, just as entertaining, just as live-feeling.
Straight from the room
Reactions from guests in the Awards Room chat.
So glad to have you in a room, even if it is virtual!
The awards ceremony may be virtual but the enjoyment and celebrations won't be!
Stephen Mulhern brought the house down — absolutely brilliant.
Best opening I've ever seen at an awards. That karaoke!
A memorable, entertaining ceremony
The result was a memorable, entertaining ceremony that proved a virtual format doesn't have to mean a smaller occasion. With the right platform — and the right host — a virtual room can deliver every bit as much energy as a live one.
Want a virtual ceremony that feels live?
See how Evessio's Awards Room delivers the full celebration experience online.