Best Catered Event

Best in Snow - Food Network Episode Viewing Party

Summer Gala: A Line Through Time

Two Family Trees

Lynnette MacDonald, SWIRL Custom Cakes & Desserts

SWIRL Custom Cakes & Desserts celebrated their appearance on Food Network show The Big Bake with an innovative Viewing Party that brought the episode to life and blurred the line between TV and reality. During a live-streaming of the episode, food and beverage, décor, and activations mirrored the action unfolding onscreen, demonstrating the power of merging food with environment to create an immersive experience that engaged all of the senses.

Karyn Rose, Culinary Capers Catering​

The 2019 Summer Gala event attracted the city’s finest to raise funding for the Vancouver Art Gallery. The event celebrated the premiere of Alberto Giacometti: A Line Through Time — a unique exhibition presenting the work of one of the twentieth century's most influential artists. We drew inspiration in our menu creation, namely. the artist’s penchant for dark moody palates, and the jagged edges of his sculptures.

Kelly Early​, Thomas Caterers of Distinction​

This wedding was a tale of two individual family trees growing into one. The guests were not just spectators, they were vital participants in the bride & groom's journey.

Best Culinary Innovation

Over the Top Burnt Honey Ice Cream and Chai Tea

Pentagon to Star

Vegan Scallops

Ingrid Nagy​, By Design Collective

The theme of this event, “confetti,” called for bright, lively, and “Over the Top” and that’s exactly what we set out to do. We created an interactive treat to match the criteria our client laid out. Our Over the Top Burnt Honey & Chai Ice cream was not just “Over the Top” in flavor, but in presentation and concept as well.

Kelly Early​, Thomas Caterers of Distinction

Small packages can hold big surprises. The “Pentagon to Star” was fun, intriguing, informative, beautiful, and delicious. As the guests opened their Pentagon the Amuse-bouche was a stunning and delicious gem sitting in the middle of the star adding vibrant color to the contraption which became their menu card for the meal. It set a perfect tone for what would be a fabulous culinary experience.

Ingrid Nagy​, By Design Collective

The four crucial elements for a perfect dish are salt, acid, texture, and fat. Vegan dishes can be especially difficult to incorporate all these elements into, so when our client came to us for their event, we wanted to challenge ourselves to incorporate a trend into something new and exciting. After some debate, we concluded that mimicking scallops would prove to live up to this challenge and thus we set out to make the perfect vegan scallop.

Best Event Filmmaking (Videography)

50 Years A Chef

Kelly Treadway​, EventCurious

It’s been said that if history were told in stories, it would never be forgotten. That’s exactly what we accomplished with the creation of the celebration film ’50 Years A Chef.’ This film captures the real life story of an immigrant that came to Atlanta, Georgia and made a difference as a culinarian. It will forever give viewers a front row seat to the legacy of Chef Vagn Nielsen’s career in the hospitality industry.

Best Event Photography

Field Leadership Strategy Conference

HiTEC Hospitality Technology Conference & Trade Show

United Way Community Leadership & Impact Conference

Joe Szurszewski, Joe Szurszewski Photography LLC

This five day conference in San Antonio, Texas recognized and rewarded the 300 highest performing sales managers and their families. From shooting group portraits in front of The Alamo in challenging circumstances to delivering 50 finished photos every night for morning walk-in slideshows, the photography for this event met all challenges and captured its vibrant energy and excitement.

Joe Szurszewski, Joe Szurszewski Photography LLC

HiTEC, the world's largest and oldest hospitality technology trade show and conference, brought 6000 attendees to Minneapolis to see the latest advancements and hear about trends in the industry. The photography of this event captured its massive scale, elaborate setup and signage, A-list entertainment, and ultimately thrilled the client who used words like "wonderful" and "fantastic" to describe the photos!

Joe Szurszewski, Joe Szurszewski Photography LLC

This biennial event brought 2000 local United Way and corporate leaders from around the world together in Toronto. The conference had a unique physical setup, an international flair, and passionate attendees committed to strengthening their communities, and I captured all of this with vibrant and dynamic photos that embodied the United Way motto "Live United".

Best Print and/or Digital Marketing/Design Collateral

Moulin Rouge

Two Family Trees

Jordan Adams, Big Time Creatives

For an event as hot as this awards ceremony set in the shadow of the red windmill, the Moulin Rouge, the marketing materials needed to sizzle! The event would be glamorous, exuberant, and a little bit naughty, just like those showgirls of yesteryear. And so, this event team responded with a marketing campaign, print materials and alluring graphic décor that would have made artist Lautrec proud.

Kelly Early, Thomas Caterers of Distinction​

This wedding was a tale of two individual family trees growing into one. Every piece of signage and print material that the guests laid their hands and eyes helped to carry this thread through the entire event.

Best Industry Contribution

Adventure Club

CharityVillage Event Planning eLearning course

Dustin Westling, CSEP, OneWest Events Inc.​

Event professionals know how to hustle. In our passion driven industry it's common for us to go the extra mile, spending most of our time creating experiences for others, leaving ourselves limited space and resources to invest in our own health and wellness. The Adventure Club is an offering to our industry that disrupts our day-to-day patterns and brings us to seek out a greater work-life balance together.

Hala Bissada, Hala Events and Communications Inc.​

A Certified Fundraising Executive, Hala was invited by CharityVillage® to develop an Event Planning eLearning course to help professionals host an event. This course covers the entire special events process including concept development, the strategic plan, sponsorship/sales, volunteer management, marketing and public relations, production (technical, décor, and entertainment), logistics, evaluation tools and crisis and risk management.

Best Industry Innovation

KOE-13 Conference Communication System

Mercury

Kevin Molesworth, CSEP, Brass Tacks Events

The opportunity to BE creative is a gift.  The urgency to solve a seemingly impossible challenge requires one to GET creative.  The KOE-13 Communication System solved three unique & unprecedented predicaments facing our clients.  By combining three existing technologies, never used in live events, with an innovative, patent-pending audio technology, we developed a product that could have an extensive impact on our industry in the coming decade.

Rocky Toomey, Future Affairs Productions​

Raising the bar for the classic balloon drop, Future Affairs Productions’ innovative special effect astounded concert guests with the sudden explosion of the stadium ceiling at the stroke of midnight. The venue and the audience became one as thousands of sparkling, rippling streams of silver flew down to the floor, underscoring the theme of Mercury and making for a highly memorable start. 

Best Event Logistics

"Chicagopalooza" - A Corporate Summer Retreat!

Miracle on 26th Street, Rebels With A Cause

Shuttle Puzzle

Cory Fowkes, CMP, Next Level Event Design

As though the logistics of a 700-person corporate family retreat located 1.5 hours away from Chicago, packed with nearly 50 customized activities sprawled across 1,300 acres over a 43-hour timespan weren’t daunting enough, toss in an abbreviated 8-week lead-time, a complete reimagining of the guest experience, a depletion of local vendors, and a surprise severe thunderstorm to boot! The journey was frantic-yet epic. Welcome to OUR Chicagopalooza!

David Merrell, AOO Events​

Imagine reinventing a prestigious event from an indoor location for which 100% had been intricately custom designed when the venue is moved to a grassy park triple its size on the first day of installation. Then visualize perfectly adjusting the design to accommodate the more expansive location. That’s exactly what happened with the 4th USC Ellison Institute of Transformative Medicine fundraiser.

Marie Popko, CSEP, Maple Ridge Events

Over the past few years, Nashville opened its doors to the world and has become one of the most sought-after destinations. However, the infrastructure of downtown wasn’t designed as a convention city and has only recently been able to accommodate large groups. The client’s goal was seamless transportation service for 14,000 attendees, moving between 30 hotels, ending at the convention center – a shuttle system the first of its kind in Music City!

Best Support Services

"It's All About The Shoes" Bar Mitzvah

Picture Perfect

SU After Dark

Wendy Segal, Radius Event Design

Artistically designed centerpieces in the form of shoes from raw materials for the Bar Mitzvah entitled It’s All About the Shoes.

Kristen Hinton, All Occasions Event Rental

Tent specialists are used to turning blank-slate spaces into warm and inviting receptions. But replicating a museum-quality ceiling - with cherubs, intricate scrollwork and gilt inlays — in an 82x197 structure tent? That’s not a request you see every day. Yet All Occasions rose to the challenge through custom trusswork, thousands of high-resolution images, a 30x40 foot piece of digitally printed vinyl and 1,800 yards of hand pleated draping.

Justin Armstrong, Invert720 Productions Inc.

Singularity University aims to solve the world’s biggest challenges through technology. To throw their Canadian summit reception at an abandoned power plant was the perfect way to disrupt the tech industry. Inspired and extensively challenged to create breakthrough solutions, the Lighting Team of ‘SU After Dark’ certainly gave innovative leaders from across the globe something to talk about.

Best Event Solution

"Chicagopalooza" - A Corporate Summer Retreat!

Miracle on 26th Street, Rebels With A Cause

Picture Perfect

Cory Fowkes, CMP, Next Level Event Design​

In eight short weeks, this 700-person corporate family retreat was completely redesigned from the stale workshops and formal dinners of years past to an epic fun-filled weekend of nearly fifty custom family-friendly activities including an exclusive music festival on an airport runway! In eight short hours that epic festival could have been an epic disaster, thanks to a surprise thunderstorm - welcome to OUR Chicagopalooza!

David Merrell, AOO Events​

Imagine reinventing a prestigious event from an indoor location for which 100% had been intricately custom designed when the venue is moved to a grassy park triple its size on the first day of installation. Then visualize perfectly adjusting the design to accommodate the more expansive location. That’s exactly what happened with the 4th USC Ellison Institute of Transformative Medicine fundraiser.

Kristen Hinton, All Occasions Event Rental​

Tent specialists are used to turning blank-slate spaces into warm and inviting receptions. But replicating a museum-quality ceiling - with cherubs, intricate scrollwork and gilt inlays — in an 82x197 structure tent? That’s not a request you see every day. Yet All Occasions rose to the challenge through custom trusswork, thousands of high-resolution images, a 30x40 foot piece of digitally printed vinyl and 1,800 yards of hand pleated

Best Technical Production

Phish

University Campaign Kickoff

Rocky Toomey, Future Affairs Productions​

It was the lucky 22,000 who scored a ticket to Phish’s sold-out concert on New Year’s Eve in New York City. The music was amazing but it was the theatrics at midnight that stood out. An exquisite rain of rose petals enhanced the showcased song, and the midnight set culminated in a glorious and technically brilliant deluge of chrome balloons and banners to underscore the th

Allin Foulkrod, Creative Visions

Our client is beginning the most ambitious fund-raising campaign in its 130-year history and has one night to make the connections, driving home the key messages that will springboard the university into its quest for $250 million. Despite a myriad of technical challenges leading up to the show, our team comes together to ensure success, planning an intricate. 

Best Event Design/Décor

Google Holiday Party

Holiday Road Trip

Join Our Krewe

Rocky Toomey, Future Affairs Productions​

For this Harry Potter-themed company event, Future Affairs Productions took advantage of the historic library venue to recreate the four houses of Hogwarts and other favorite scenes from the movie. With simple yet remarkably effective design, the production company drew guests through Platform 9 ¾ into a magical adventure where suits of armor come to life.

Lisa Gonzales, CMP, Danielle Austin, Sandra Mangum, USAA​

Over 16,000 employees and their guests were welcomed by nostalgic winter destinations: the home of the Griswold’s, camping, skiing, enjoying beach time, getting a glimpse into military base deployment, picking the perfect tree from the local tree lot, and even a quick gas station pit stop. Bundle up, pile in the family sedan and let us transport you back to those days on a ‘Holiday Road Trip’ you won't forget!

Andryia Browne, Events with Vizability 

Join our Krewe took guests to the Big Easy to raise funds and awareness for the Local HERO Foundation, a charity providing lifesaving 24/7 helicopter medevac services. Inspired by the revelry of a Mardi Gras celebration on Bourbon Street, traditional elements of iconic Mardi Gras celebrations were reimagined in the oversized jester inspired hanging installations and fully functional balconies for throwing beads to guests later in the evening.

Best Event Design/Décor Continued

Miracle on 26th Street, Rebels With A Cause

Moulin Rouge

Sock Hop Social

David Merrell, AOO Events​

A show-stopping gala fundraiser for USC’s Ellison Institute of Transformative Medicine featured luxurious custom decor inspired by the architectural interior design of its new facility. Held at The Water Garden in Santa Monica, it featured wooden, free-standing walls, white and gold tabletop patterns, and a custom dance floor with a human blood proteome turned into art with the Institute’s logo.

Jordan Adams, Big Time Creatives

Feathers and fringe were the accessories of choice for this awards ceremony set in the shadow of the red windmill, the Moulin Rouge. With chandeliers as brazen as the burlesque dancers and a 15’ high pair of legs, this decorative concept was scandalous and bold and full of ooh-la-la!

Carolyn Luscombe, CSEM, CSEP, CMP, Eclectic Events International Inc.

The Fabulous 50’s…a time when drive-ins, diners and poodle skirts were all the rage. Costumed guests enjoyed our all-gender 50s beauty bar with popular hairstyles, makeup and nails from the era. Guests posed for photos with our cherry red 56 Ford Thunderbird, diner photo op scene and learned to jive with sock-hop dancers. Classic Coke, American fare, servers in soda jerk hats with bowties and retro candy were the cherry on top.

Best Event Design/Décor Continued

Veterans Day Celebration

When Modern Meets Classic, An Awards Dinner

Wonderland After Midnight

Adrienne Rodriguez, CMP, Eden Stotts, Elizabeth Vanskike, USAA​

Women’s legacy of US military service dates back centuries before formal recognition in 1948. From the Revolutionary War through World War II, women served without ceremony, representing their country with their male counterparts. Thirty years more passed before women were admitted into military academies in 1976. Our event acted as a beacon, highlighting the monumental achievements of women in the US military over the past three centuries.

Allie Perkins, Ultimate Ventures

Having contracted a mere 10 days before the event and having only had 50 minutes to turn the ballroom from general session to an awards dinner, our team achieved our client’s goals by designing and executing this beautifully detailed and luxe awards dinner.

Andryia Browne, Events with Vizability​

Wonderland After Midnight took guests on a fantasy adventure in a kingdom where pets are the kings and queens. The vibrant lavender and crimson design embraced oversized, stereotype defying décor elements to draw guests into the storyline and prepare them for the quest that lay ahead as they competed in different kingdoms to raise money so that homeless animals could find a castle to call home.

Best Entertainment Production

Bright Hot Classic

Mega Music Festival

Music Box Interactive

Katie Suty, CMP, CTA, Experience Columbus, Rick Jobe, Jobe & Associates​

Bright.Hot.Classic. No three words could better describe what attendees experienced when they walked into an arena transformed to an intimate entertainment paradise. From DJ and drums to silks and ballet to a 200 person choir surrounding the audience, singing in unison. Yet, no light shined brighter than Grammy Award winner, John Legend., who interacted with, entertained and awed the crowd with an unforgettable performance of light and sounds.

Marie Popko, CSEP, Maple Ridge Events

How do you produce a private music festival, filled with nothing but entertainment, thanking 4,500 of your closest customers? Countless hours of planning, collaboration and skillful communication efforts to execute a flawless night of appreciation. Goal: A music filled night to remember, for customers and their families, on property. Result: One-of-a-kind memories made for all ages in one of the most iconic music spots!

Jeff Hudson, CSEP, Spacecraft Entertainment

What's it like to be a rock star in a recording studio? Jeff Hudson, CSEP and the Spacecraft team gave this interactive experience to hundreds of attendees during South By Southwest 2019. They implemented an innovative process for delivering recordings in under a minute, supplied AV equipment and staffing, weathered the heat, flooding, and gunshots a block away to help promote the Visible phone service brand. Spacecraft Entertainment killed it!

Best Entertainment Production Continued

Super Art

Who Run The World? Girls!

India Rhodes, CSEP, Wilkinson Rhodes, JC York, Classic Entertainment / Wise Guys InterACTive​

Based on the current exhibit showcasing “Men of Steel, Women of Wonder” artwork, this non-profit gala called “Super Art” heroes to take “action” in support of their local art museum. The “Super Art” universe was filled with comic book inspired entertainment. From local graffiti art performance “heroes" to an interactive digital hero greeting guests to even a “superhuman” roller skate performance, guests were inspired to be a "hero" and give.

Debbie Meyers-Shock, CSEP, CTEP, BRAVO! Entertainment​

For an international beauty company’s annual conference we created a custom entertainment package empowering women. With 40 performances over 2 weeks, a cast of 111, custom costumes, interactive content, and 1 custom Scottish tartan for 32,000 attendees. From the opening number, product reveals, and inspirational pieces, every moment was strategically designed and produced to reflect the brand, celebrate success and motivate its top salespeople.

Best Corporate Event

A Night at the Museum

Color Block Party

Grand Finale Event

Emilie Jackson, District Experience​

A Night at the Museum was held at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. An evening of lighthearted frivolity awaited the 1,000+ guests who attended, with thematically curated menus, entertainment, and decor for each hall, tailored to the content of each exhibition. The highlight of the event was the lush, dinosaur habitat recreated in the Rotunda, with the 3-story waterfall as the focal point.

Allie Perkins, Ultimate Ventures​

10 different spaces, each mono-chromatically designed right down to the last detail. This beautiful networking reception for nearly 440 people took place outdoors under a cloudless Texas sky. Our client’s desire was to create an environment that cleverly “separated” these regional groups while ultimately bringing them together through the use of space, decor and entertainment!

Keri Miller, e=mc² events​

For the closing event of a multi-day conference in Los Angeles guests were transferred from downtown for an experience of a lifetime at Warner Bros. Studios. For this “Anywhere, USA” themed reception, Midwest street was transformed into a live branded experience and concert featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd. Guests were treated to studio tours, culinary delights, creative beverage service and a street parade to gather attention and kick off the evening.

Best Corporate Event Continued

Holiday Road Trip

MARKETING FAST FORWARD 2019

Monumental Music Festival

Lisa Gonzales, CMP, Danielle Austin, Sandy Mangum, USAA

Over 16,000 employees and their guests were welcomed by nostalgic winter destinations: the home of the Griswold’s, camping, skiing, enjoying beach time, getting a glimpse into military base deployment, picking the perfect tree from the local tree lot, and even a quick gas station pit stop. Bundle up, pile in the family sedan and let us transport you back to those days on a ‘Holiday Road Trip’ you won't forget!

Alvin Anthons, MAINSTREAM ENTERTAINMENT (M) SDN BHD​

PETRONAS an oil & gas group, organised the Marketing Fast Forward 2019 conference, to expose PETRONAS’ marketers to what’s ahead of the curve in the digital world. The full day event consist of a Marketing Conference that includes presentation by global experts, showcase of each business units’ marketing projects and a panel discussion. The conference setup is then transformed for an Awards Dinner right after.

Marie Popko, CSEP, Maple Ridge Events, A Hosts Global Member

How do you produce a massive music festival, thanking 4,500 of your closest customers? Countless hours of planning, collaborative efforts between clients, planners, vendors and staff, and skillful communication efforts helping execute a flawless night of appreciation. Goal: A music filled night to remember, for customers and their families, on property. Result: One-of-a-kind memories made for all ages in one of the most iconic music spot!

Best Corporate Event Continued

Santa's Workshop

Splendor in the Garden - An Ode to Autumn

Veterans Day Celebration

Carolyn Luscombe, CSEM, CSEP, CMP, Eclectic Events International Inc.​

Guests went on a whimsical journey to Santa’s Workshop for their corporate holiday reception! Guests could socialize using lounges with Santa-inspired pieces and custom pillows, blue velvet draped cruisers and red satin draped cafes with sundae florals. Guests were treated to milk & cookie shooters, a delicious festive menu of hors d’oeuvres and finger foods, unique creative candy station and could make their own chocolate bars.

Allie Perkins, Ultimate Ventures​

It’s hard to imagine a better way to kick off the first day of Autumn than by holding an outdoor event at the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, a beloved Dallas institution. We created a welcoming setting for guests to bond as they participated in a mixology team-building activity. Next, the group moved outdoors to enjoy a 3-course dinner in the garden complete with copper and wooden decor elements, fresh florals, and entertainment.

Adrienne Rodriguez, CMP, Eden Stotts, Elizabeth Vanskike, USAA​

Women’s legacy of US military service dates back centuries before formal recognition in 1948. From the Revolutionary War through World War II, women served without ceremony, representing their country with their male counterparts. Thirty years more passed before women were admitted into military academies in 1976. Our event acted as a beacon, highlighting the monumental achievements of women in the US military over the past three centuries.

Best Corporate Event Continued

Wayfairing Through Candyland

Rocky Toomey, Future Affairs Productions​

How do you turn a kids’ game into a corporate party for 10,000 adults? With some ingenious branding and enormous balloons, that’s how! This holiday event for a leading e-commerce company got a colorful boost from the winding Candyland path, giant gingerbread men, custom chandeliers and a ceiling bursting with 8’ balloons, while the sweet and vibrant color palette just happened to match the company’s logo.

Best Event for a Non-Profit Organization

Builder's Bash

Dean's Spring Celebration - Cultivating Philanthropy

Miracle on 26th Street, Rebels With A Cause

Carla Eustache, Style Perfect Events​

Event strategy, design, project management and production were the blueprint to this non-traditional annual fundraising gala that asked attendees to leave their tuxedos and gowns in the closet for a fun and casual evening that helped build hope and unlock a better future for families and communities.

William Smiley, Event Planner

The Dean's Spring Celebration – Cultivating Philanthropy, included guided tours of the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, a reception in the historic John F. Wolfe Palm House, and dinner in the Grand Atrium. The program celebrated the college’s donors, key partners and accomplishments of its students, faculty and staff. The Dean praised the Conservatory staff for their work, community outreach, ongoing education and exhibits.

David Merrell, AOO Events​

The 4th USC Ellison Institute of Transformative fundraiser raised $12.5 million for lifesaving cancer research. Producers reinvented 75% of a luxurious custom design in less than 4 days when the venue had to be moved from an indoor parking garage to a large grassy park on the first day of installation. The event came with its challenges, but all was in the name of a very worthy cause.

Best Event for a Non-Profit Organization Continued

Right to Play Heroes Gala 2019

RIMSFEST - RIMS Canada 2019 Welcome Reception

Seattle Furry 5K

Hala Bissada, Hala Events and Communications Inc.

Celebrating its 19th year, the Right to Play Heroes Gala 2019 was held on Thursday, October 17 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre where 1,100+ leaders in business, sports, entertainment and government united to raise U$2 million and pay tribute to heroes including Toronto Raptors’ 2019 NBA Champion, Pascal Siakam.

Karin Hoogland, Site 6 Events​

CELEBRATE RIMSFEST - THE NIGHT. TRANSFORMED. was the lavish welcome party kicking off Canada's 2019 Risk & Insurance Management Society Conference. Inspired by the conference theme TRANSFORM and Edmonton’s reputation for being Canada's festival city, RIMSFEST brought together nearly 1000 risk management innovators and practitioners to celebrate and connect in a digital arts and entertainment environment for a transformative event experience.

Gazala Uradnik, GFS Events

The Seattle Furry 5K was held on June 9, 2019 at a picturesque lakeside park in Seattle. Over 1700 walkers/runners and 1000 of their furry friends gathered together for the largest 5K dog-inclusive event in the region. For this complicated event, we coordinated 200 volunteers, 50 vendor booths, EMTs for both dogs and humans, food trucks, waste management, security and rentals.

Best Event for a Non-Profit Organization Continued

Somebody To Love- A Night of Rock and Roll Benefitting Friends For Life Animal Shelter

The Black, White and REaD Anniversary Affair

Wonderland After Midnight

Chelsea Roy, EBTR Events

The Friends For Life Animal Shelter in Houston, Texas hosts a fundraising gala every October. This year's theme was "Somebody To Love- A Night of Rock and Roll! The gala hosted 450 guests and offered fundraising opportunities, vegan food (as a nod to the shelter's no-kill policy) and 9 of the shelter dogs on site to pet, play with and learn about adoption and the numerous programs the shelter has to offer!

Deborah Hermann, CWP, Deborah Hermann Creative​

Imagine living in a world without public libraries? "Without libraries what have we? We have no past and no future". These words from author, Ray Bradbury, were channeled, as the mantra, in the creation of the 150th Anniversary of the Cleveland Public Library. No literary tricks of science fiction, just a longing to create a novel night of storytelling. The stakeholders were REaDy to celebrate the glorious past of The People's University.

Andryia Browne, Events with Vizability​

Wonderland After Midnight took guests on a fantasy adventure in a kingdom where pets are the kings and queens. The vibrant lavender and crimson design embraced oversized, stereotype defying décor elements to draw guests into the storyline and prepare them for the quest that lay ahead as they competed in different kingdoms to raise money so that homeless animals could find a castle to call home.

Best Event with a Legacy

Grease

Soaring Over Catalina

Somebody To Love- A Night of Rock and Roll Benefitting Friends For Life Animal Shelter

Rocky Toomey, Future Affairs Productions​

From drive-in movies to carnivals to high school and dance shows, the musical and movie Grease evokes feelings of nostalgia and musical memories like few other stories. This was the theme chosen for this year’s legacy event, and where better to hold it than in a high school gym. With a focus on music, characterizations and an upgraded 50s environment, the result was a highly successful gala that will be hard to top next year.

Jen Poyer, CSEP, Catalina Island Conservancy​

Guests looking “fly” in black tie celebrated the culmination of a unique public-private partnership to repair an aging mountaintop runway, while raising over $513,000. “Soaring Over Catalina” brought together both supporters of the organization and of the historic military-backed project to raise annual operating funds for the non-profit’s continuing conservation, education and recreation programs in a historic ballroom on Catalina Island.

Chelsea Roy, EBTR Events​

The Friends For Life Animal Shelter in Houston, Texas hosts a fundraising gala every October. This year's theme was "Somebody To Love- A Night of Rock and Roll! The gala hosted 450 guests and offered fundraising opportunities, vegan food (as a nod to the shelter's no-kill policy) and 9 of the shelter dogs on site to pet, play with and learn about adoption and the numerous programs the shelter has to offer!

Best Public Event

Furry 5K 2019

Gazala Uradnik, GFS Events​

The Seattle Furry 5K was held on June 9, 2019 at a picturesque lakeside park in Seattle. Over 1,800 walkers/runners and 1,000 of their furry friends gathered together for the largest 5K dog-inclusive event in the region. For this complicated event, we coordinated 200 volunteers, 50 vendor booths, EMTs for both dogs and humans, food trucks, waste management, security and rentals and a vodka garden.

Best Social Event (Non-Wedding)

Halloween Haunt

Not All Heroes Wear Capes: Bar Mitzvah Boys Wear Kepot

Peaky Blinders Birthday Bash

Carolyn Luscombe, CSEM, CSEP, CMP, Eclectic Events International Inc.​

BOO! This eerie Halloween Haunt social took place at the end of October. Gargoyles, wrought iron gates, otherworldly flora, fortune tellers, face painters, dry-ice nitro ice cream and thematic visuals set the spooky tone of this event. Thematic characters roamed the space and people posed for keepsake photos with “Death” in the custom photo scene.

Jodi Gold, Siagel Productions​

Siagel Productions produced an epic Bar Mitzvah celebration full of real life superheroes, Marvel Lego figurines and even a video mapped real time Super Smash Brothers competition between the guest of honor and his brothers! From chair covers dressed with spandex capes to a custom-built brick wall back bar and super hero slap bracelet napkin rings, no detail was left overlooked for this hulk sized mitzvah!

Lori Hart, Silhouette Group Inc.

The blank slate of an empty New York City venue transformed into the set of the Peaky Blinders. The walls were covered in brick print to mimic the city streets, the floor was covered in cobblestone with an old antique car on top. A smoke stack sat in one corner while the entrance to the Garrison sat at the other. The custom built bar and stage were the centerpiece of the next room, where guests enjoyed special performances from top artists.

Best Social Event (Non-Wedding) Continued

Sock Hop Social

The Doggy Drag Show

Toro Toro Grand Opening

Carolyn Luscombe, CSEM, CSEP, CMP, Eclectic Events International Inc.​

The Fabulous 50’s…a time when drive-ins, diners and poodle skirts were all the rage. Costumed guests enjoyed our all-gender 50s beauty bar with popular hairstyles, makeup and nails from the era. Guests posed for photos with our cherry red 56 Ford Thunderbird, diner photo op scene and learned to jive with sock-hop dancers. Classic Coke, American fare, servers in soda jerk hats with bowties and retro candy were the cherry on top.

Dustin Westling, CSEP, OneWest Events Design and Logistics​

Pets bring so much joy into our lives, and one of those pets is a German Shepard named Skoki. For his first birthday, Skoki and his owner partnered with the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (the society he was adopted from) to establish the inaugural Doggy Drag Show! In its first year The Doggy Drag Show was a sold out event bringing two-legged and four-legged companions together for an unforgettable charity event!

Cheryl Weis, FestEvents Group, Chris Arredondo, Eclipse Entertainment

On a crisp, November evening in 2019, spicy Latin décor, fire pillars, music, aerial acrobats, food and libations welcomed guests to the premier debut of upscale new restaurant, Toro Toro Pan Latin Steakhouse and Lounge in the $8 million newly renovated Worthington Renaissance Hotel. Richard Sandoval Hospitality hosted the Grand Opening of their unique location in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, utilizing our

Best Wedding

Alpine Glamping Festival Wedding

FIRE AND ICE

Le Petite Jardin à la Maison: Cleveland Style!

Crissalane Discher, Disch Events

The snow-capped mountains that surrounded the bride's family's apple orchards in Colorado set the picturesque backdrop for a festival-style glamping weekend to celebrate a marriage twelve years in the making.

Lynn Fletcher, Lynn Fletcher Weddings​

Surrounded by staggering glacier mountains, this exquisite Wedding united two continents and two cultures over the course of one astounding weekend. Fusing Trinidadian and Indian traditions, this celebration boasted contrasting scenery from a fiery regal palace, to a frosted winter wonderland. Guests experienced two magnificent venues, custom menus, dazzling décor, and the unity of two diverse families in a creative display of fire and ice.

Deborah Hermann, CWP, Deborah Hermann Creative​

Nestled behind an unassuming brick home in suburbia, lives an intimate secret garden of splendor. Planted and lovingly maintained, this hidden gem showed off all its charm for an afternoon wedding on a hot June day. Symmetrical planting of boxwoods, shrubs, roses and gravel pathways in high French style, met the traditional Japanese stroll garden of the Bride's heritage. A dichotomy of garden style representing the marriage between two cultures.

Best Wedding Continued

Salman and Aleeza's South Asian Contemporary FairyTale Wedding

Southern Chinoiserie

Two Family Trees

Hana Chughtai, Hana April Inc.​

Our client had envisioned an elegant, unforgettable evening for their Pakistani Walima reception. A Walima reception is the final event in a series of other wedding festivities, which in this case, took place from Chicago to Minneapolis. They desired a romantic, fairytale approach that included lots of lush floral and contemporary design elements. Our client entrusted us to succeed with these very special needs.

India Rhodes, CSEP, Wilkinson Rhodes​

“Southern Chinoiserie” was inspired by the bride’s love of interior design, chinoiserie, and flowers. This wedding incorporated these pieces with over 6,000 feet of live greenery, 80,000 stems of flowers, and unique furniture pieces. The overall effect was a beautiful evening for the couple’s 800 guests at a historic club.

Kelly Early, Thomas Caterers of Distinction​

This wedding was a tale of two individual family trees growing into one. The tone was set with a laser engraved invitation depicting two interwoven trees on the cover and opening to unfold the beginning of the Family Tree narrative. The guests could see, they would not just be spectators, they were to be vital?participants in the bride & groom's journey.

Best Meeting/Conference Program

Energy Disruptors: UNITE 2019

The Wellness Summit

Keri Miller, e=mc² events​

In September 2019, the world's boldest energy trailblazers collided once again in Calgary to redefine the future of energy. For two full days, the oil and gas industry joined forces with the influencers at the forefront of energy transformation. Speakers included journalist and bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell, internationally recognized authority in creativity and innovation Sir Ken Robinson, and AI expert Dr. Vivienne Ming.

Stephani Harvie, Tycoon Events

We've all been to a conference, meaning we all know what to expect. Alberta Blue Cross wanted more for their inaugural event, so we pitched them on a conference with unique style and purpose: speakers that dove deep into thought-provoking workshops, takeaways that boasted wellness and mindfulness, and individual customization for every single attendee. The Wellness Summit was more than a conference; it was a focused, intentional learning space.

Best ILEA Event Volunteer Collaboration (Team Entry) 

Noche En La Rosa Negra

Pure Imagination: The Vancouver Event Industry Holiday Party

Armando Seledon, CSEP, CTA, Visit San Antonio​

Tammy Blalock, ATA Girl Photography

Marco Buenrostro, MBP Photo Booth

Frank Burton, Event Ignition

Jerry Garcia, Picture Me SA

Gary Jones, CSEP, Green Dot

Chris Koval, Future Sounds DJ Services

Linsey Lindberg, Artisan Oddities and Entertainment

Lisa Morales, CSEP, San Antonio Detours

Lara Nickerson, BBJ Linen

Melvin Obregon, CTA, The Producer SA

Gretchen Olivares, Aly Am Paperie

Armando Seledon, CSEP, CTA, Visit San Antonio

An evening set for the best of the best in the city, this event was built to honor the achievements and accomplishments of the past years best events. With that undertaking, designing an experience that is fit to impress the best of the city was no small task at hand. We took them back to live the high life of pre-revolutionary Havana and then ended with a Noche En La Rosa Negra.

Alex Bickers, Reveal Events Group​

Sarah Costa, Promosa Management

Mark Happeney, ShowKraft Production Services Limited

Jennifer Harper Uncao, Elevate Strategies

Chris Jodoin, Christopher J. Design Inc

Corinne Kessel, CSEP, Greenscape Design & Decor Inc.

Steve Matthews, Innovation Lighting

Maurizio Peta, Debut Event Design

Robert Porter, WOW Event Furnishings Inc.

Gemma Scott, Go2 Productions

Jennifer Winter, Rebelux Creative

Returning for its 4th year, Pure Imagination: The Vancouver Event Industry Holiday Party for ILEA Vancouver, MPI BC Chapter, and PCMA Canada West successfully brought together 3 event associations and their guests for a completely immersive and celebratory holiday experience. Inspired by the "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory", this industry legacy event brought over 450 guests together to celebrate our remarkable live events industry.

Best ILEA Team Effort

High Five Columbus

Moulin Rouge

SU After Dark

Katie Suty, CMP, CTA, Experience Columbus​

Joe Baer, ZenGenius

Bill Ferguson, CSEP, CERP, CTA, Event Source

Paul Hoy, Class Acts Entertainment

Austi Jasinski, System Service Associates

Rick Jobe, Jobe & Associates

Melissa Johnson, Cameron Mitchell Premier Events

Scott Waller, O'Neil Tents

The night came alive with color and sounds as guests received a High Five welcome to Columbus. Eight ILEA Columbus team members collaborated to create unforgettable shared experiences. The indoor/outdoor event was magical, featuring larger than life entertainers, unique tastes and sights, and endless ways to create connections. The five key districts of the city shone bright with food, entertainment, art and sounds to reflect the unique vibes.

Jordan Adams, Big Time Creatives​

Rhoda Brimberry, Loot Rentals

Jordan Brown, Marquee Event Rentals

Dani Curiel, Whim Hospitality

Crissalane Discher, Disch Events

Alfred Engstrand, Alfred's Catering

Lisa Hause, Lisa Hause Photography

Kyle Hayden, Strong Events

Stacey Hoyt, CSEP, CMP, Stacey Hoyt Events

Gary Jones, CSEP, Green Dot

Jonathan Jow, BoothEasy Photo Booth Company

Linsey Lindberg, Artisan Oddities & Entertainment

Bert McLendon, McLendon Photography

Melissa Minto, Westwood Country Club

Sara Mulder, Bella by Sara

Amitai Plasse, Gonzo Viz

Scot Richardson , AV Technical Support

Feathers and fringe were the accessories of choice for this awards ceremony set in the shadow of the red windmill, the Moulin Rouge. With chandeliers as brazen as the burlesque dancers, a 15’ high pair of legs and a fully customized stageshow, this was far more than your regular awards dinner, requiring a total of 30 vendors and a whole lot of cooperation to create the ultimate ooh-la-la!

Keri Miller, e=mc² events​

Justin Armstrong, Invert720 Productions Inc.

Kaitlyn DeGrasse, Special Event Rentals

Dominic Manca, Production Canada

Kelsey Van Raay, Fuze Entertainment

Kristen White, Decor & More Inc.

With 68 days from the first site visit, and only 23 days for designing, planning and execution, the SU After Dark event and production team pulled off the unimaginable-transforming a decommissioned 120-year-old power plant into a monumental experience for guests of the SingularityU Canada Summit.