The biggest names in the Middle East’s burgeoning sports community will be celebrated at next month’s glittering 11th edition of the Sports Industry Awards. Since its inception in 2012, SPIA has been driven to recognise the achievements of individuals, organisations, facilities and campaigns that have contributed to the growth of sport in the region. Presented by MG – Inter Emirates Motors Subsidiary of Ali & Sons Holding, supported by Dubai Sports Council and organised by leading digital publisher and sports consultancy agency Sport360X, 2024’s edition saw more than 200 submissions received for a total of 13 award categories. For a dozen of these categories, 70 finalists were selected for April 24’s transparent, thorough and independent judging day ahead of May 9’s gala dinner at Atlantis The Palm where the winners will be revealed on an unforgettable – and unmissable – evening. Previous editions have seen more than 400 attendees hoping to get their hands on a coveted SPIA trophy. The prestigious event serves as a platform to honour outstanding achievements, while networking with key players and showcasing latest advancements in sport. Regular seats are priced at $330, regular tables are $3,000 and VIP Tables are $5,500. Reservations can be made on the official SPIA website. Bassam Nawfal, Managing Director of Sport360X, said: “We’re delighted to see SPIA return for its 11th edition. A stunning setting is guaranteed at Atlantis The Palm, for a second-successive year. “Sport in this region continues to go from strength to strength. We were proud to receive so many outstanding submissions, from such talented individuals and innovative organisations. “It is an honour, and a responsibility we do not take lightly, for Sport360X to award the finest practitioners in a transparent and fair manner. “SPIA has established itself as the biggest sports industry gathering in the region and we cannot wait to welcome you all, once again, on May 9. I would also like to thank our sponsors and partners, including Dubai Sports Council, for helping make this happen.” April 24’s judging process The judging process for SPIA, held at Paramount Hotel Dubai across four hours, exemplified a meticulous and transparent evaluation by industry experts. Since the inception of the Awards, the process has seen each submission undergo rigorous scrutiny, evaluated against predefined criteria from a team of judges with extensive experience across various sectors of the sports industry meaning the process is conducted with the utmost integrity and fairness. Transparency is paramount, with judges employing a systematic approach, devoid of biases, to ensure a level playing field for all contenders. Through comprehensive deliberation and constructive discourse, the panel selects deserving winners who have demonstrated outstanding achievements and contributions in their given fields. “As the Head Judge for SPIA, I am deeply honoured to play a pivotal role in recognising and celebrating the outstanding achievements within the sports industry,” said Hannah Hall, Director of Sports PR at GrassportsPR. “This position not only allows me to influence and inspire others to embrace the transformative power of sports, but also underscores my commitment as a Sports PR professional to elevate the value of sports in people’s lives. “Through these awards, we aim to spotlight the incredible talent and dedication that drive the sports sector forward, making it accessible and inspirational to all.” A public vote is also open until midday [UAE] on May 2 for Best Fan Engagement at a Professional Sports Event. Visit  https://spiame.com/public-voting/ to get involved. Gold Sponsors for SPIA 2024 are Motus One and Plan B. Marca are Media Partner, giving the event access to a network of more than 93 million monthly unique users at one of the world’s greatest publications. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sport360events (@sport360events) Sport360X has been telling the Middle East’s very best sport stories for more than a decade across video, social, gaming and events. It boasts the narrative and creative skills, in Arabic and English, to produce market-leading content that builds affinity with fans and commercial partners alike. Access is provided to more than 15m followers on Sport360X’s native social media platforms, plus websites that generate more than 12m monthly page views. For more information, please visit spiame.com.