2026 NACEy Awards Timeline:

Entries Open - Wednesday, July 8, 2026     

Submission Deadline - Thursday, August 6, 2026   

Nominees Announced - Monday, August 10, 2026

Awards Gala - Sunday, September 20, 2026

Award Categories and Fees

• $100.00 for Members - this amount is after the discount *email joann@aproposcreations.com for $50.00 discount code
• $150.00 for Future Members
   

Add one additional event partner to your award submission for Event Collaboration of the Year!

• $100 per participating team member
• $150.00 for Future Members
• All paid participating winners will be presented with a physical award at the our Phoenix NACE 2026 Gala. You do not need to be present to win.

Industry Awards

Submissions for Industry Awards are open to the public.

Events nominated in these categories MUST have taken place between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.

Nominees are not required to be NACE members.

Nominations must have client approval before submitting.

• Best Corporate Event of the Year

The Best Corporate Event of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievement in any event organized and hosted by a business, corporation or association to include chambers, non-profit organizations and annual events but does not include other events for organizations where the product and services were donated or at cost.

Who should apply?

• Any NACE Member or future NACE Member who are event planners, designers, production companies, DMCs, or corporate event professionals.

Best Culinary Confection of the Year

 The Best Culinary Confection of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievement in baking including, but not limited to:  cakes, sweet confections, chocolates and ice cream. 

Who should apply?

• Any NACE Member or future NACE Member who are pastry chefs, bakeries, caterers, or culinary artists specializing in desserts or confections.

Best Event Collaboration of the Year

The Best Event Collaboration of the Year Award recognizes collaborations led by a communal effort, group of vendors, submitting the entry together, possessing diverse skills that work together towards shared responsibilities and projects of the event to include corporate, wedding or social events.

Who should apply?

• Two or more companies collaborating on an event that includes any NACE Member or future NACE Member.​​

• Best Event Entertainment Production of the Year

The Event Entertainment Production of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievement in event entertainment concepts and execution for events by DJ’s, live entertainment professionals, auctioneers, live music groups, emcees and event management companies to include corporate, wedding or social events.

Who should apply?

• Any NACE Member or future NACE Member who are DJs, live entertainment professionals, auctioneers, live musical groups, emcees, event management companies​​.

Best Event Photography of the Year

The Event Photography of the Year Award recognizes outstanding photography and the photographer’s artistic talents to include corporate, wedding or social events.

Who should apply?

• Any NACE Member or future NACE Member who are photographers, photo booths, drone photography.

Best Event Technical Production of the Year

The Best Event Technical Production of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievement in technical concepts and execution of audio visual and lighting to include corporate, wedding or social events.

Who should apply?

• Any NACE Member or future NACE Member who are lighting designers, AV technicians, staging companies, production teams, or technical directors.

Best Event Videography of the Year

The Event Videography of the Year Award recognizes outstanding videography and the videographer’s artistic talents to include corporate, wedding or social events.

Who should apply?

• Any NACE Member or future NACE Member who are videographers, cinematographers, production companies or drone techs specializing in event video content.​​

• Best Innovative Catered Event of the Year

This award recognizes outstanding planning and execution for off-premise catered events as well as on-premise venue and resort events, that include food and beverage to include corporate, wedding or social events.

Who should apply?

• Any NACE Member or future NACE Member who are on-premise caterers, off-premise caterers, hotel caterers, private clubs, restaurants.

Best Social & Non-Profit Event of the Year

This award recognizes outstanding achievement in any event organized and for the purpose of celebration, socializing, conversation, recreation or a special occasion.

Who should apply?

• Any NACE Member or future NACE Member who are event planners, venues, hotels, on-premise and off-premise caterers, private clubs, or professionals involved in social event production.

Best Tablescape of the Year

This award recognizes outstanding achievement in event rentals, furniture, flowers, linens, decor, favors and stationery for the purpose of a spectacular foundation of guest table design to include “anything table design”, corporate, wedding or social events.

Who should apply?

• Any NACE Member or future NACE Member who are designers, florists, event planners, event rental companies, or tabletop stylists.

Best Wedding of the Year

This award recognizes outstanding planning and execution for wedding events.  The submission may or may not include the ceremony and afterparty.

Who should apply?

• Any NACE Member or future NACE Member who are wedding planners venues, hotels, on-premise and off-premise caterers, private clubs.