NACE Announces Icon Award Recipient | National Association for Catering and Events

June 20, 2023

NACE Icon Award
Kevin Dana, Executive Director of Marketing & Merchandising for CORT Events, was selected for the NACE Icon Award. In recognizing Dana, the NACE board noted his contribution to the advancement of the catering and events industry through CORT Events.

Dana is a design leader and the Executive Director of Marketing and Merchandising at CORT Events. He has contributed to the advancement of the catering and events industry through CORT for over 22 years. Dana was the catalyst for CORT becoming a NACE national sponsor in 2004, and that partnership has continued for almost 20 years. CORT Events’ advocacy of NACE and other industry organizations, such as ILEA and MPI, can be directly attributed to Dana’s championing of the growth of catering and event professionals.

In 2016, Dana partnered with Social Tables, a premier event space planning company, to launch the industry’s first ever complimentary 2D and 3D space planning tool on the CORTevents.com website. It allowed planners the ability to easily design events and meetings with drag and drop technology, creating realistic space plans that fit within room dimensions and could be quickly emailed to clients.

Dana has mentored dozens of event sales and marketing professionals over the years. He promoted participation in the events and meeting industry as a pathway to a creative and meaningful career in catering and events. Dana served on the Foundation of NACE Board of Trustees 2011 - 2012 and has helped drive corporate vendor participation in the Foundation, including CORT’s continued sponsorship of the Foundation’s signature events.

NACE National President Amber Allen, CPCE stated "Kevin Dana is a recognized leader in the catering and events industry. Kevin shares his expertise and talent with the industry by providing event design and décor education, while continuing to create forward-thinking ideas and trends. His support for industry organizations is immeasurable and NACE is proud to recognize him with the NACE Icon Award.”

Winner to be Recognized at NACE Welcome Session at the 2023 NACE Experience Conference for Catering and Events

# # #
About National Association for Catering and Events
The National Association for Catering and Events represents caterers, event planners and event professionals. Our members are a passionate and vibrant community of innovators, organizers, and creators who look to us for resources and networks that help them thrive. Our services include education and certification programs, conferences and events, awards, career services, and programs that support our vital chapter network. Learn more at www.nace.net.