Get Ready to Shine: 2026 NACE ONE Awards Submissions Open January 26
From stunning designs to seamless event production, from culinary brilliance to game-changing chapter programming, the NACE ONE Awards celebrate the most creative, innovative, and impactful work across catering and events.
Submissions for the 2026 NACE ONE Awards—recognizing 2025 events—open January 26, 2026, and now is the time to start gathering your approvals, photos, team details, and supporting documents so you’re ready when the portal opens.
This is your chance to earn meaningful recognition from the leading association for catering and events, gain national visibility that can elevate your personal brand or business, and be celebrated alongside the best of the best at the 2026 NACE Experience Conference in New Orleans.
What’s New for 2026
As you start looking ahead to what’s new for the NACE ONE Awards in 2026, here are a few important updates to keep in mind.
Submissions Open Earlier
Submissions open January 26, 2026, so start pulling your materials now while your 2025 work is still fresh. Strong entries pair great visuals with the details and story that bring the experience to life.
New Budget Subcategories for Select Industry Awards
This year, Event Design & Décor of the Year, Event Production of the Year, and Team Event of the Year will now include budget subcategories, matching the format already used for Wedding of the Year and Catered Event of the Year:
- Under $50,000
- $50,000–$100,000
- Over $100,000
This update helps ensure submissions are evaluated within comparable budget ranges, making it easier for great work to shine within the right context.
Rolling Deadlines to Know
While submissions open in January, deadlines arrive quickly—and they vary depending on the type of award.
- Member award nominations and Chapter award submissions close March 24, 2026
- Industry award submissions close March 31, 2026
How to Prepare Before the Portal Opens
If you want to feel confident when submissions open, now is the time to start gathering the materials that typically take the longest to track down.
Consider organizing and getting:
- Client approval/permission to share the event
- High-quality photos and visual assets
- Team details and partner/vendor information
- Supporting documentation (timelines, creative plans, budgets, and more)
- A clear narrative that explains the impact, innovation, and execution behind the work
Even setting aside one hour to create a folder and start collecting materials can make the submission process dramatically smoother once entries open.
Learn More
The 2026 NACE ONE Awards are almost here—so now is the perfect time to explore categories, criteria, and program details before submissions open January 26.
To learn more, visit:
Whether you’re a rising star or a seasoned pro, your work deserves the spotlight. Are you the ONE?