On 7 November 2024, White Label Creative delivered a truly memorable evening as the Essex Housing Awards lit up the Greenwoods Hotel & Spa, celebrating the pioneers of housing in Essex.
The journey to this magical event began in April, with White Label’s involvement extending from the initial planning stages to the event and post-event reflections in November 2024.
Our contributions included attending committee meetings at every stage—before, during, and after the entry period—and managing the awards entry system and initial judging process through a well-crafted communication campaign comprising internal liaison and externally: social media posts; national press releases; email marketing; and website updates. White Label successfully promoted the event to previous entrants, attendees, and the wider housing sector.
This year’s highlight was three new categories—Excellence in Biodiversity Conservation and Enhancement, Healthy Housing, and Smart Working—demonstrating the Essex Housing Awards’ commitment to reflecting the evolving housing landscape. The refreshed categories and criteria added value for partners, sponsors, and supporters, inspiring innovation across the sector.
Mark Curle, Chair of the Essex Developers Group (EDG) praised the applications during the review process, he said: “The calibre of submissions from across the county was outstanding, reflecting the remarkable innovation within our industry. I’m eager to see the real-world impact of these developments on the community and of course, anticipate what comes next!”
This year saw an impressive 70% increase in new organisations and developments entering, with the Meeting Housing Need category standing out as a powerful example of alignment between the real estate industry and the county’s housing goals.
Once applications were secured, White Label’s event team collaborated with the client to bring their vision to life. This included sponsorship research and procurement, managing venue logistics, coordinating attendee registration, liaising with hosts and speakers (including script development and briefings), and overseeing catering and drinks arrangements.
Our design team worked in parallel, delivering refreshed branding assets, including an updated logo, digital brochures, certificates, social media graphics for finalists, and ceremony materials. Print deliverables, such as stage branding and bespoke trophies, further elevated the event’s professional presentation.
The evening itself was the culmination of months of planning and preparation. With over 160 attendees—including housing associations, local authorities, private businesses, contractors, and community organisations—White Label ensured a professionally executed event, overseeing every aspect from live social media coverage to the smooth running of the programme.
The standout moment of the evening was the presentation of ‘The Mo Slade Rising Star’ award, sponsored by Anderson Developments. This moving tribute to emerging talent was made even more meaningful with the attendance of Mo Slade’s family, creating a truly memorable moment. Rosie O’Neill from CHP was honoured as the rising star, receiving a standing ovation from her team and the audience alike.
Several comments demonstrated the event’s success, including this one from Estuary Housing: “The Essex Housing Awards 2024 was a truly inspiring event, showcasing the remarkable work being done to improve lives in Essex. It was a pleasure to celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations across the housing sector. We commend the organisers for creating such a memorable evening and congratulate all the winners and nominees.”
From a thoughtfully designed programme to fostering an atmosphere of celebration and camaraderie, White Label Creative, working in partnership with trusted suppliers, once again demonstrated its ability to deliver excellence with this successful event.
Explore the winners and the impact of the event in the Essex Housing Awards 2024 Interactive Brochure.
