MCA Awards goes virtual for 2020 ceremony
The representative body of the UK’s consulting sector has announced its annual awards ceremony will take place digitally for the first time in its history. The Management Consultancies Association had initially decided to postpone its event until November, but has now opted to go without a physical event entirely in 2020 – instead handing out awards online.
The consulting industry is renowned as one of the most travelled facets of modern business – with some professionals in the trade spending as much as 80% of their working lives away from home. Experts from top firms often jet across the globe to assist clients with a variety of advisory matters, leaving consultants particularly exposed to picking up viruses such as Covid-19.
Due to the severity of the current coronavirus pandemic, this led to the Managing Consultancies Association (MCA) deciding to postpone its annual awards ceremony, which was due to take place on the 23rd April at the Park Plaza Westminster, London. With experts advising the minimisation of travel, a number of countries approaching lockdown and several – including the US – having suspended travel from Europe, the celebration will now take place online in July.
On the 9th of July 2020 at 19:30, an exclusive virtual event for MCA guests, MCA member firms and their clients will see the leading individuals and firms of the UK consulting sector honoured. A total of 32 firms have been short-listed for the 12 project-orientated prizes, as well as a gong for Best New Consultancy, while 55 consultants are nominated for individual prizes.
In a statement on the news, MCA CEO Tamzen Isacsson said, “The health and well-being of our MCA members, judges, clients and guests has always been our primary concern and this virtual event is in response to social-distancing guidelines from Public Health England which we expect to remain in place for some time. We do not believe an event at Park Plaza with its’ physical restrictions would be a positive experience for guests and we have invested a considerable amount of time, money and effort into producing a high quality virtual event which can be enjoyed by all.”
All winners will be announced “live” on the video event and via Social Media, while trophies will also be sent to team and individual winners the following day. The MCA is meanwhile planning for its ceremony to return to its usual format next year, with the MCA Awards and dinner taking place on November 1st 2021. The updated timetable for 2021 will be announced in due course but the MCA will be intending to extend the deadline for entries for some months to give firms more time to plan and prepare.
