“There’s a feeling you get when you enter a room like that, which is quite special. There’s a buzz and there’s an anticipation.”

David Jepson, CEO of The CEO Magazine, has witnessed the growth of the Executive of the Year Awards in Australia since he first attended the event back in 2018 and became a judge the following year. The leading business awards night is now entering its 13th year down under, having expanded into one of the biggest gatherings of the year for executives in the country.

Like anyone who has ever spent time in New York, Jepson also knows that there’s a similar excitement as soon as you set foot in the city. “The moment you touch down and walk around New York City, you know that you’re at the central point of what’s happening in the world,” he says.

When it came to looking at where to next celebrate business excellence, there was no question in Jepson’s mind where exactly that should be: the Big Apple.

“The world looks to the United States for leadership, whether it’s politically, culturally or from a business point of view,” he explains. “The country is still a hub for most of the major innovations that happen technologically, but also philosophically and culturally.

“So, if we’re recognizing the world’s leading executives in terms of the performance of their businesses and the impact they’re having on both their communities and around the world, the United States is the place to be.”

A National Event

On 23 October, executives across eleven sectors – finance and professional services; health care; property and real estate; manufacturing; information technology; retail; education; automotive; public sector; travel and hospitality; and energy – will gather together in Manhattan for the coveted CEO of the Year in their sector trophy, with one of them walking away as Overall CEO of the Year.

The date is new, with the event having been moved from June to allow for increased interest from executives based outside the New York area.

“Originally we were going to just focus on New York-based executives, but we want to have the opportunity to include all businesses who are doing great things nationwide,” Jepson explains.

“The goal is that every executive in the United States who is running a great business should be able to apply for these Awards. This is a national event, to celebrate America’s best.”

While the exact location of the venue will be revealed closer to the date, the evening will also be a chance to address the theme of this inaugural edition of the Executive of the Year Awards in New York: ‘Elevating Purpose’. Among the anticipated experiences is a speech by renowned marine biologist and oceanographer Sylvia Earle and participation from sponsors Hästens, Kiekert and Ascendant Group, with more to be announced.

Jepson, who has played a key role in planning the event, says that he would like guests to leave with a lasting impact.

“With an event like this, it’s the people that you meet on the night where the real value lies,” he says.

David Jepson (second from left) at the 2018 event in Sydney

“People are there for the Awards, of course, but they’re also there to celebrate excellence and support each other. Being an executive can be a lonely role at times. So, it’s quite nice to be in a room full of people who know what you’re going through.

“I think people will feel a sense of community when they enter that room. Excitement and community.”

Feeling the Team Spirit

There’s still time to submit your application – and a number of reasons why you should.

“It’s a huge individual honor to even be listed as a finalist. That puts you as a leader among your peers and gives you enormous credibility within the business world,” Jepson says.

But above all else, the Executive of the Year Awards is an occasion to honor the teams behind the individual.

“A CEO is only as good as the people they have around them,” Jepson notes. “Yes, it’s a personal honor, but it’s also recognition for the work that the team has done.

“That’s very often at the core of the message shared by executives in their acceptance speech.”