The 2022 ARN Innovation Awards saw well over 720 champions of the Australian IT channel community descend on Sydney's Darling Harbour to cheer on more than 39 winners and a new inductee into the ARN Hall of Fame - Tara Ridley.

To say that the energy and excitement in the Grand Ballroom at ICC Sydney was palpable would be an understatement. It stands tall as the event highlight of the year.

Mixed with a touch of glamour, the banter, reunions, conversations and reminiscences, the prospect of simply being able to get together in one place to admire and celebrate each other’s achievements make the ARN Innovation Awards into an event like no other in the industry calendar.

As the winners and highly commended were revealed during the awards ceremony, the community rallied in support of the excellence of their peers – as it has done every year since the awards were first conceived way back in 2007 (yes I was there!).

The 2022 awards program showcased the very best of what the local channel has to offer, Australia-wide from Tasmania to the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia and the regional operators in between.

However, it wasn’t just the winners of the 2022 ARN Innovation Awards that have been on the frontline, keeping Australian businesses going amid unprecedented challenges – these outstanding individuals and businesses represent the pinnacle of such efforts.

Your collective skill and dedication was reflected in the volume and quality of nominations for the ARN Innovation Awards in 2022.

This year’s winners were selected from 354 finalists (including 120+ individuals) which made the shortlist from a pool of over 200 organisations and more than 480 nominations, spanning partner, start-up, telco, vendor and distributor businesses.

Indeed, this year marked a significant expansion in reach, support and market appeal, outpacing a best effort of over 315 finalists in 2021 to position the Innovation Awards as the leading technology awards program for customer innovation and ecosystem excellence in the Australian channel.

In addition to honouring winners, ARN also holds wider responsibility for ensuring as many credible technology providers are endorsed through this unique awards program, aligned to the collective goal of providing a platform upon which the ecosystem can shine across Australia.

On behalf of the entire ARN team, I congratulate all the winners, highly commended and finalists that made this year’s Innovation Awards such a memorable event. Until next year!