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Defence Connect, in partnership with principal partner KBR, has successfully delivered a COVID-safe, multi-location and digital event series building on the success of the inaugural Australian Defence Industry Awards to recognise the best and brightest of Australia’s defence industry.
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Recognising leading professionals and businesses, rather than products and platforms, the Australian Defence Industry Awards universally acknowledges all defence industry stakeholders – from our primes, SMEs, academic institutions and associations, through to high-performing individuals such as defence executives, Indigenous and female leaders, students, scientists, technicians and academics.
Hosted across the nation digitally, and across three COVID-safe locations in Canberra, Brisbane and Sydney by Defence Connect in partnership with principal partner KBR, platinum partners Northrop Grumman Australia and Lockheed Martin, and state event partners Raytheon Australia and Fore Advisory, the awards built on the blockbuster success of the inaugural 2019 awards.
Joe Vince, head of strategy, defence and aerospace, Momentum Media, said, "On behalf of the Defence Connect team, I would like to congratulate all of this year's winners and finalists on the outstanding work they do transforming the face and nature of Australia's defence industry and national security ecosystem as we navigate the post-COVID world."
These sentiments were echoed by Rob Hawketts, vice president government solutions APAC, KBR, who added, "KBR is proud to once again be the Principal Partner for the Defence Industry Awards, recognising and celebrating the hard work, inventiveness and achievements of both people and companies in the defence industry."
This year's multi-location physical events, hosted at the QT Hotel Ballroom in Canberra, Sofitel Central in Brisbane and The Star in Sydney, also enabled the locations to leverage live streaming technology to interact across the nation, and with finalists and winners at home who were unable to attend the events.
Defence Industry Melissa Price provided a formal welcome to the guests both in the room and those attending virtually around the nation, while guests in Canberra, Brisbane and Sydney were treated to the culinary delights prepared by indigenous chef Clayton Donovan.
"It was important for us to deliver the awards and build on the success of the 2019 event, COVID helped us to innovate and in response we have set the benchmark for all defence industry events moving forward. We're exceptionally proud of the events, the interactivity and humbled by the support we have received from the defence industry," Vince added.
Michael Ward, Raytheon Australia managing director, and South Australia and Queensland state partner, added, "Raytheon Australia is pleased to have partnered with Defence Connect to be the South Australia and Queensland state partner for the 2020 Australian Defence Industry Awards.
"Our teams in both states make up the wider Raytheon Australia team of 1,500 employees across the country who are committed to developing an Australian Industry Capability and investing in local small-and-medium enterprises.
"As a trusted capability partner for Australia’s defence, we recognise the importance of a robust Australian supply chain and industry in creating sovereign capabilities for the Australia Defence Force. On behalf of the Raytheon Australia team, I congratulate the 2020 winners and nominees."
Andrew Cullens, director of Forge Advisory, state partner for the ACT, added, "Forge Advisory is pleased to be the state partner for the Defence Industry Awards. As an emerging business in capability management and infrastructure, we are proud that one of our project managers is a finalist for Consultant of the Year. Acknowledging the efforts of individuals, teams and businesses across the sector is an important recognition of Industry’s contribution to our national security, and the nation as a whole."
Phillip Tarrant, director of defence and aerospace at Momentum Media, welcomed the response to the Defence Connect Australian Defence Industry Awards, saying, "The defence industry has once again got right behind the awards, with over 270 finalists shortlisted from over 500 submissions representing over 150 companies."
The awards were open to all businesses operating in Australia supporting the defence supply chain and has become a coveted accolade for organisations and professionals seeking to forge their role in the defence industry.
Steve Kuper, analyst and editor at Defence Connect, said, "This multi-state event program and the interactive live stream helped to break down the barriers and help the industry begin to get back to normal."
A full list of the winners for the 2020 Australian Defence Industry Awards is available here.
*Neither the Defence Connect Australian Defence Industry Awards nor Defence Connect is sponsored, approved by, affiliated with or endorsed in any way by the Commonwealth of Australia or the Department of Defence.
