Inspiration, Vision and Imagination

2013 NACE Awards
(To be awarded at the NACE Experience! 2013 conference for work done in 2012)
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View the 2012 NACE Awards Winner Slides
View the 2012 NACE Awards Winner Press Release
View the 2012 NACE Awards Nominee Slides
Each July, catering and event professionals from around the country gather to turn their attention to one night of enormous anticipation at the NACE Experience Awards Gala. For 2013, hundreds of leaders in our professional community will show up to watch and cheer for the elite few who made it to the finals during the live presentation in Chicago, IL on Tuesday, July 16. The NACE Awards rewards the previous year's greatest catering and event achievements as determined by some of the world's most accomplished hospitality professionals.
The only way to take home an award for the highest honors in the catering and event industry is to put your name in the competition!
Your NACE membership includes eligibility for the annual NACE Awards Chapter and Individual program. Let your inspiration, vision, and imagination be recognized and honored by your peers.
NACE Award categories cover the spectrum from Best Event Production to Chapter Community Service Award, from Chapter Program of the Year to Best Buffet Table — guaranteeing a place for your achievements to shine!
What does you proud? A challenging wedding design, beautifully executed? A spectacular event on a shoestring budget? Setting up a successful community service program in your chapter? Wherever you’ve channeled your inspiration, your vision, and your imagination, the NACE Awards are your chance to be honored for your creativity and achievements.
View the NACE Awards History for a list of past honorees.
View the 2010 and 2011 NACE Award Winner Press Release.
Announcing the 2012 NACE Award winners (awarded at the NACE Experience! 2012 conference in New Orleans, LA for work done in 2011):
VIEW THE WINNERS SLIDE SHOW!
Congratulations to the following 2012 NACE Award winners:
Chapter Awards
Chapter Fundraising Event of the Year
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Chapters fewer than 100 members: Alamo Chapter |
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Chapters more than 100 members: Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter |
Chapter Education Program of the Year
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Chapters fewer than 100 members: Austin Chapter |
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Chapters more than 100 members: Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter |
Chapter Program of the Year
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Chapters fewer than 100 members: Tacoma South Puget Sound Chapter |
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Chapters more than 100 members: Houston Chapter |
Chapter Community Service of the Year
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Chapters fewer than 100 members: Greater Seattle Chapter |
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Chapters more than 100 members: Las Vegas Chapter |
Chapter of the Year
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Chapters fewer than 100 members: Austin Chapter |
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Chapters more than 100 members: Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter |
Industry Awards
Best Catered Event of the Year: On-Premise
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Budget less than $25,000: Michele Polci, CPCE, CMP, Caesars Entertainment |
Best Catered Event of the Year: Off-Premise
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Budget between $25,000 and $75,000: Herb Yamamoto, Creations in Catering |
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Budget more than $75,000: Nicole Fitzpatrick, Calihan Catering |
Best Catered Wedding of the Year
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Budget less than $25,000: Lisa Carruth, CPCE, BraeBurn Country Club |
Best Event Production of the Year
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Budget less than $25,000: Dianna K. Shitanishi, CPCE, CMP, Hawaii Weddings and Events |
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Budget between $25,000 and $75,000: Angie Kemp, CPCE,San Diego Zoo Global |
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Budget more than $75,000: Danielle Couick, CPCE |
Best Buffet Table Presentation of the Year
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Mark Lopez, Crave Catering |
Best Conceptual Table Presentation of the Year
Mark Lopez, Crave Catering
Best Guest Table Presentation of the Year
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Kat Creech, CMP, Enjoy Events |
Best Team Event of the Year Budget Less Than $25,000
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"Urban Chic-Fashion Fundraiser" Team Members: Putting on the Ritz, Andy Kushner Entertainment, Charm City Cakes, Kathy Freundel Photography, Bialek's Music, AFR Event Furnishings and Plan It Perfect - Baltimore, MD |
Best Team Event of the Year Budget between $25,000 and $75,000
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"London Calling" Team Members: Jones Lang LaSalle, Affairs to Remember and Lee J Howard Entertainment - Atlanta, GA |
Best Team Event of the Year Budget More Than $75,000
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"From Nightmare to Dream Wedding" Team Members: Catered Too, Enchanting Events, Pretty in Pink Events, North American Theatre Technology - San Jose, CA |
Individual Awards
Caterer Member of the Year
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Terry Shields, CPCE, CSEP Dallas, TX |
George Zell Spirit of NACE
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Julie P.G. Brown-Edwards, CPCE Baltimore, MD |
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John Zucco, S. Easton, MA |
Event Professional of the Year
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Steve Kemble, Dallas, TX |
Student Member of the Year
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Brittany Talavera, Houston, TX |
Business Partner of the Year
CORT Event Furnishings
Hall of Fame Inductees (established 1998)
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Vincent DeFinis, CPCE |
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Peter Gunther, CPCE, CMP |
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Helen Roberts, CPCE |
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Ed Fiscella |
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Brent Ashton, CPCE |
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Larry Osburn, CPCE |
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Mindy Angress |
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Jerry Edwards, CPCE |
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Shelley Pedersen, CPCE |