Day Schedule

Your day at the Cardiff Excellence Awards

Name: Cardiff Excellence Awards 2026-27
Start: 2026-10-29T10:00:00.000Z
Location: Cardiff City Stadium

You might arrive knowing a few people. Imagine who you could leave knowing.

Thursday, 29 October 2026 11:00 am to 7:00 pm Cardiff City Stadium Dress code: Black tie

Book your seat See how the day unfolds

Some people will be there to celebrate a nomination. Others will be supporting a friend, a colleague or a business partner. And some will simply be curious about the people in the room. Whatever brings you, we would love you to be part of it.

Dress code: Black tie. The awards are a black tie occasion: a dinner suit and bow tie, or an evening gown or smart cocktail dress. It is a day to dress up for, and the photographs will show it.

You share Cardiff City Stadium with the North Wales Awards and the South Wales Awards, on the same day at the same times. From 5:00 pm guests of all three shows network together.

Guests talking over drinks at an awards reception

11:00 am to 12:00 pm60 minutes

Arrival and Welcome Drinks

Come in. Find a drink. Say hello.

Doors open at 11:00 am. Collect your welcome, take a drink and have a look around while nominees, their guests, sponsors and business people from across Cardiff arrive.

Why you might enjoy it. You don't need to know anyone. Most people walk in knowing one or two faces, and this first hour is when it is easiest to start talking.

What you take away. A relaxed start, your first few introductions and some faces to look out for later in the day.

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12:00 to 1:00 pm60 minutes

Group Acknowledgement and Recognition

Someone thought you deserved this.

Every nominee, shortlisted nominee, semi-finalist and finalist is called forward and recognised together, with group photographs and video.

Why you might enjoy it. Behind every nomination is a person who noticed the effort you have put in. Here you stand alongside others who were noticed too, while the people who came with you cheer.

What you take away. Recognition in front of the room, and photographs and film to share with your team, your customers and your family.

See the award categories

Guests meeting and talking over refreshments

1:00 to 3:00 pm2 hours

Refreshments and Networking

A conversation could be the start of something.

Two hours for refreshments and to move around the room. Congratulate other nominees, meet the people who put them forward, and take a few more photographs.

Why you might enjoy it. This is the unhurried part of the day. Good conversations often start with nothing more than a coffee and a simple question: what do you do?

What you take away. Time with people who know what it takes to run and grow a business, and perhaps someone who can help with what you are working on.

Bring a colleague

Award trophies lined up before the presentations

3:00 to 4:00 pm60 minutes

Winner Announcements and Trophy Presentations

The room goes quiet. A name is called.

The winner of every category is announced and presented with their trophy, and each one is photographed on stage. The ceremony closes with a few final words.

Why you might enjoy it. Whether you are walking up to the stage or applauding from your seat, it is a good feeling to watch hard work get its moment.

What you take away. If it is your name, a trophy and the photograph to go with it. If it is not, the chance to celebrate the people around you, and a nomination that is still yours to be proud of.

Be there when the names are called

4:00 to 5:00 pm60 minutes

Awards Photographs and Video Ceremony

Some moments are worth keeping.

Our photographers and video team take portraits, group photographs and short interviews with you, your trophy or certificate, and the people who came with you.

Why you might enjoy it. With the announcements over and the nerves gone, this is the easy hour to get the pictures you will actually want to use.

What you take away. Professional photographs and video for your website, your social media, a press release or the wall at work.

Ask us a question

5:00 to 6:00 pm60 minutes

Business Networking and VIP Business Matchmaking

One conversation could introduce you to your next customer, collaborator or friend.

Business networking and VIP matchmaking with the guests of the North Wales Awards and the South Wales Awards: structured introductions and one-to-one meetings, with founders, leaders and sponsors from across Wales in one room.

Why you might enjoy it. It is networking without the awkwardness. You already have something in common with everyone there, and we help with the introductions.

What you take away. Introductions to the people you want to meet, a few names to follow up with next week, and conversations that can carry on well after the day.

Plan your day

6:00 to 7:00 pm60 minutes

Winners' Celebration, Photography and Video Sessions

Win or not, celebrate how far you have come.

Winners celebrate with the people who made it possible, friends gather for group photographs, and our video team records interviews and messages.

Why you might enjoy it. By now you will know a few more faces. It is the moment to raise a glass with the people who backed you this year, and the ones you have just met.

What you take away. A proper end to the day, shared with your own people, and a few more memories on camera.

Reserve a table for your team

More than an awards ceremony

People come for different reasons. Most leave with more than one of these.

For the recognition

Someone has noticed what you have achieved. Take a moment to celebrate it, in a room that understands what it took.

For the connections

You might meet a customer, a partner, a mentor or simply someone you are glad to know.

For your people

Bring the colleagues, family and friends who have supported you, and share the day with them.

For what comes next

A good introduction or an idea from someone in a different line of work can carry on well after the day.

Book your seat Bring your team

Worth thinking about

What if the person you have been hoping to meet is in that room?
When did you last stop to celebrate how far you have come?
Who would you love to bring along?
What could one good conversation lead to?

A year from now, what will you remember?

Another ordinary day at work? Or the day you celebrated an achievement, met some good people, laughed with your colleagues and came away with a few new ideas?

We cannot promise who you will meet or what will come of it. We can promise a day that brings people together to recognise what they have achieved and to celebrate it properly.

Bring someone special. Come with an open mind. You might be surprised by what the day brings.

Book your seat Reserve a table Ask us a question