By Winifred Bosa
L-R: Mentor of the Year, Abidemi Adeyemi; Most Improved Business of the Year, Aanuoluwa Bamikole; Young Event Professional of the Year Janet Ogeh; Most Enterprising Personality of the Year, Abraham Oyinkansola Alogba; Convener, BusyBee Excellence Awards, Bisi Sotunde; Director of Sales& Marketing, Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel and Spa, Jean Yena; Most Resourceful member of the year, Joyce Imorhoa; Most Outstanding Member of the Year, Ogunyemi Babatunde Augustine; Member, Organizing Committee BusyBee Event Summit, Mr Layade Ogunshote; and Member, Event Committee BusyBee Event Summit; Mrs. Tinu Ogunshote at the BusyBee Excellence Awards 2025 held recently in Ikeja Lagos
It was a significant milestone at the 9th edition of the BusyBee Event Business Summit, a platform designed for event management companies and brands to exchange and share knowledge as well as celebrate outstanding contributors to the growth of the industry, as the organisation announced an international partnership with the Hospitality brand, Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa.
Speaking at the announcement that also offered two delegates of the BusyBee Event Business Summit an all-expense-paid trip to Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa, the Convener of the programme, Coach Bisi Sotunde, said, “Our international partnership with Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa is a significant milestone for the BusyBee Event Business Summit brand. It reflects the global recognition our platform is gaining and our commitment to expanding collaborations beyond Nigeria.”
According to her, “This partnership was created to foster cross-border relationships, enhance international exposure for our delegates, and provide a premium hospitality experience through one of Benin Republic’s most prestigious hotels. Sofitel Cotonou shares our values of excellence, luxury, and world-class service, making it the perfect international partner for this year’s summit.
The collaboration also opens doors for increased tourism, destination events, and future business exchanges between both countries, positioning BusyBee as a regional connector in the events industry,” she added.
Speaking further on the value the partnership has added to BusyBee Event, Mrs. Sotunde stated that the partnership has added immense value to the BusyBee Event Business Summit and the BusyBee Excellence Awards in several ways.
Prestige and Global Positioning: Their involvement elevated the summit’s profile and reinforced our brand as an international-standard platform.
Exclusive Sponsorship: They generously sponsored two delegates with an all-expense-paid trip to Sofitel Cotonou — a gesture that created excitement and gave our participants a memorable opportunity beyond the summit.
Luxury Brand Experience: Through their partnership, we were able to showcase world-class hospitality standards, which align perfectly with the BusyBee brand promise of excellence.
Strengthened Cross-Border Relations: Their presence helped deepen our connection with francophone West Africa and opened conversations around destination events, collaborations, and tourism.
“Overall, Sofitel Cotonou brought a blend of elegance, international appeal, and meaningful support that contributed greatly to the success and glamour of this year’s edition,” she revealed.
The 9.0 edition, which was themed “Building Legacy Driven Brands,” was carefully chosen because the event industry is rapidly evolving, and only brands with strong structures, long-term vision, and clear value propositions will remain competitive and relevant.
To bring the theme to life, we curated a well-rounded lineup of activities, including: masterclass Sessions with seasoned industry experts sharing practical strategies for growth and brand positioning, Panel Discussions addressing current industry realities, opportunities and the future of events, A Networking Cocktail Evening, designed to foster collaboration and business relationships and The Glamorous Gala Night, – BusyBee Excellence Awards celebrating creativity, excellence and industry achievements.
Also honouring outstanding contributions within the ecosystem.
She said, “The relevance of the theme cannot be overstated. Today’s event management sector demands more than creativity; it requires business intelligence, structure, leadership, financial discipline, and the ability to innovate. Building legacy-driven brands ensures that practitioners are not just active today but are also positioned for longevity, profitability, and global influence.”
Sotunde, who described the 9.0 edition as a transformational experience, stated that “It exceeded our expectations in terms of participation, content delivery, networking, and overall impact. We brought together event entrepreneurs from across Africa and beyond for two immersive days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. The energy was vibrant, the conversations were rich, and the delegates were fully engaged from start to finish.”
“This year’s edition reaffirmed why the summit remains a leading development platform for event professionals building sustainable, legacy-driven brands. The feedback we received reflects the growth, connection, and clarity so many attendees gained from the experience,” she said.
Speaking on the BusyBee Excellence Awards, which is the reward platform designed to recognise and celebrate outstanding event managers and contributors, she stated that the BusyBee Excellence Awards were conceived to celebrate, spotlight, and encourage exceptional individuals and brands who are raising the standards within the event industry.
Over the years, “We observed a gap in platforms that genuinely recognise hard work, innovation, and leadership across different areas of the sector. This award aims to motivate practitioners, promote professionalism, and showcase the quality of talent we have in Africa.
Putting the awards together was a meticulous process. We formed a dedicated committee that handled nominations, screening, and selection based on merit and set criteria. We also ensured a transparent and credible process so that honourees truly reflected excellence in their respective categories,” Sotunde mentioned.
The colorful execution you witnessed — from décor to entertainment, production, presentation and ambience — was intentionally curated to match the prestige of the awards and to give every guest an unforgettable experience,” she added.
