✨ An Evening of Stars, Style & Impact ✨
SAVE THE DATE
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th, 2026
On Jackson | 245 E JACKSON ST, PHOENIX, AZ 85004
Join us for Arizona's Phoenix NACE Annual Gala, Chapter Awards & 4th Annual NACEy Awards, an unforgettable evening where Luxe Galactic Noir meets celebration, connection, and impact. Step into a world of celestial glamour, bold elegance, and cosmic sophistication as we honor excellence across Arizona's hospitality and events industry. This signature fundraising gala supports the future of our chapter while bringing together event professionals, creative partners, and industry leaders for a night that's truly out of this world.
Submit Your Work for Consideration
The Phoenix NACEy Awards celebrate the creativity, execution, and impact of Arizona’s most exceptional hospitality and special event professionals.
This is your moment to showcase the work that defines you.
Whether it’s a groundbreaking design, flawless execution, or an unforgettable guest experience, submit your entry for consideration in the 4th Annual NACEy Awards.
⭐ Submissions Now Closed
Celebrate the individuals, companies, and events raising the bar in Arizona's hospitality industry. Review this year's award categories and submit your nominations before the deadline.
Chapter Awards Nominees
Host Venue of the Year
Hotel Valley Ho
The Vybe Chandler
Sonesta Suites Scottsdale Gainey Ranch
Vendor Sponsor of the YearSantiago Almada Photography — Aug., Gala, Nov. & May
DePoy Studios — Mar. & June
Ahwatukee Flowers — Gala & April
F&B Sponsor of the YearFresh From the Kitchen — Gala
Hotel Valley Ho — Mar.
Creative Hands Cuisine — Jun.
Member Speaker of the YearJan. — Growing Local: Christina Blodgett
Mar. — Women in Hospitality: Amber Allen, CPCE & Noelle Townsley
Jun. — Hot Ones: Jill Vidal-Raines, CPCE, Mikayla Todd, CPCE & Ari Camarena
Spirit of NACEJaime Figueroa — Divinity Event Productions — July 2025
Mikayla Todd, CPCE — Salt River Marriotts — August 2025
Emily Quail, CPCE — M Culinary Concepts — October 2025
Santiago Almada — Santiago Almada Photography — November 2025
Meagan Podkulski — Divinity — January 2026
Robbie Martin — Gila River Resort & Casino — February 2026
Cristina DePoy — DePoy Studios — March 2026
Corrinne Clement — State Farm Stadium — April 2026
Santiago Almada — Santiago Almada Photography — May 2026
Precious Welch — Encore Global — June 2026
Student Member of the YearMolly Mariage
Colton Dobson
Vanessa Gutierrez
President's Rising Star
Industry Awards Nominees
Best Corporate Event:
Divinity Event Productions - Beyond the Big Top
Inner Space Design & Events - Tim Burton’s Symphony of Shadows
Best Event Technical Production:
Divinity Event Productions - Disco in the Desert
Best Wedding:
M Culinary Concepts- The Wedding of the Century
Hotel Valley Ho - A Wedding Draped in Elegance
Divinity Event Production - Cloud Nine
Apropos Creations, LLC - A Journey from Tigris to Taj Celebrating the Union of Two Cultures
Best Social Event & Non-Profit:
M Culinary Concepts - The Golden Anniversary Gala
Hotel Valley Ho - Summer & Drake's Sweet 16 Celebration
Best Event Collaboration of the Year
Fresh From The Kitchen - 2026 Planners Appreciation Dinner
Fresh From The Kitchen - Trejo - Cheng Wedding
Check It DONE Events - Craig’s Party!
Best Innovative Catered Event
Creative Hands Cuisine - Y2K: A Culinary Throwback Experience
Best Tabelscape
Inner Space Design & Events - Cosmic Garden
What are the Phoenix NACEy Awards?
These awards are designed to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts, performance and outstanding contributions of Phoenix NACE members and members of the hospitality and special events industry. Winners will be recognized at our Awards Gala on Sunday, September 20th, 2026.
Who can enter the awards?
Any NACE member in good standing at the time of submission and any future NACE member.
Who are the judges?
To maintain fairness in the judging, the awards are submitted anonymously. They are judged by a NACE Chapter with no affiliations to our Phoenix Chapter. Scores are returned to Phoenix NACE and totaled to determine winners in each award category.
For questions, please reach out to:
Awards - Joy Edwards and Sandi Campbell
Vendor Sponsorships - Mikayla Todd,CPCE
Gala Committee - Ari Camarena
Fundraising and Donations - Cristina DePoy