Porto is already working at cruising speed to host the 12thedition of the International Festival of Events and Live Communication - BeaWorld 2017 between the 15thand 18thNovember. The organiser is the ADC Group, following a successful application by the Portuguese Association of Congress, Events, Outdoor Leisure and Cultural Activity Companies - APECATE. This entity is supported by Turismo de Portugal and the Porto Tourism Association.

Ana Fernandes, President of APECATE, revealed that "in terms of tourism and economy, BeaWorld will receive agencies from more than 29 countries. This year opens doors to global agencies that will not only participate in the festival, but also witness the potential of Portugal in attracting and organising events."

BeaWorld will present the awards for the best projects between August 1st2016 and July 31st2017. The winners can come from anywhere in the world.

Eligible applicants include event agencies, production companies, communication companies, public relations, promotion, advertising and web agencies, as well as associations, organisations and venues, among others. There are 19 categories in the competition, such as Cultural Event, Educational/Training Event, Roadshow, Low Budget Event, Use of Technology, etc.

This edition will feature a new voting method, simpler and more dynamic. This same system will be used in the second phase, face-to-face with the jury, at the open voting session in Porto on 16thNovember, which will determine the winners in the different categories, the Grand Prix and the Special Prizes.

The jury is composed of top companies’ senior managers, with international responsibilities, and associations of event agencies representatives. In addition, in the live presentations, which have been taking place since the first edition of the festival,  nominees have the opportunity to show their projects before the jury and an audience, which includes interactivity and question and answer sessions.