Spectacular Raine & Horne Awards Gala is recognised nationally after delivering a 25% attendance jump

Iconic real estate brand Raine & Horne’s spectacular NSW/ACT State Awards Night 2025, Our Place in the Landscape, has been announced as one of five national finalists for Best Corporate Event at the Australian Event Awards.

Staged at the Hyatt Regency Sydney on 8 March, the sold-out gala was the grand finale of Raine & Horne’s State Awards series, a celebration of the brand’s 142-year legacy that toured Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane before culminating in Sydney. The evening combined cutting-edge production, world-class styling, and a distinctly Australian theme that reimagined the traditional black-tie format.

From the show-stopping opening performance of Ice House’s Great Southern Land by Australian Idol finalist and former Raine & Horne staff member Reigan Derry with Cirque du Soleil artistry and AI-driven visuals, to an immersive pre-drinks precinct that evolved into a vibrant afterparty with a live all-Australian band, every detail delivered an unforgettable experience.

The sold-out event, hosted by comedian Rob Shehadie of Fat Pizza fame, lifted attendance by 25%, to its highest level since before COVID and delivered an additional $200,000 in sponsorship revenue, taking total sponsorship to a record high.

Ava Crawford, Head of Marketing at Raine & Horne, said the latest recognition reflected the brand’s ability to merge tradition with innovation.

“This event was about more than recognising excellence, it celebrated Raine & Horne’s proud legacy as an Australian-owned brand woven into the fabric of this country for over 142 years, while showcasing the future of corporate events. To be recognised on a national stage in this way is an incredible honour.” Ms Crawford said.

“The event reflected our year-long marketing campaign, Part of the Landscape, celebrating our enduring presence, scale, and diversity across Australia, not just where we operate, but who we are: a brand inseparable from the landscape we helped build.”

Rodney Fitzgerald, Head of Partnerships and Events, who led the Our Place in the Landscape concept, added: “This awards night was the culmination of a campaign celebrating Raine & Horne’s heritage and enduring place in the Australian real estate landscape.

“I repositioned the event as an experience rather than a formal gala, introducing immersive entertainment, unique styling, and a nightclub atmosphere to attract a younger demographic. The result was a 25% increase in attendance, achieving the highest participation since COVID.”

Other event highlights included:

• Culinary excellence: A bespoke menu of premium Australian produce and wines curated by the Hyatt Regency’s Executive Chef.

• World-class production: AV by WooHah created seamless transitions and high-impact visual and audio moments.

• Inspired styling: Sapia Creative paid tribute to the Australian landscape with native florals, candles, and natural elements.

  
  

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Innovative 12-month campaign builds buzz for award-winning Raine & Horne Gala

Mr Fitzgerald said the comprehensive engagement strategy was just as innovative as the night itself. “We built excitement well before the event with digital campaigns, email updates, and social media teasers that showcased the immersive LED installations and entertainment in store.

“To keep our network engaged, we equipped offices and team leaders with toolkits so they could promote the event to their teams.

“In the countdown to the big night, we spotlighted the curated menu and headline acts through network communications, which really built anticipation and drove registrations.”

The event also delivered outstanding partner engagement, with post-event feedback indicating 95% of attendees rated the experience as “outstanding.”

James Lovell, Business Development Manager at event sponsor Direct Connect, said, “The immersive LED pre-drinks space and nightclub were unlike anything we’ve seen in corporate events, a total game-changer. The benefits we received as a partner were on point.”

The Hyatt Regency Sydney has been nominated for Event Hotel of the Year, while event stylist Samantha Hobbelen of Sapia Creative has been named a finalist in the Theming & Styling category at the Australian Event Awards.

The Australian Event Awards will be held in Coffs Harbour in October.