Stay tuned for more information on the upcoming awards program at the 2026 NACE Experience Conference for Catering and Events in New Orleans, LA.
2026 NACE ONE Awards Timeline:
Entries Open - January 2026
Submission Deadline -
Submissions Close at
11:59 pm PT
Nominees Announced - May 2026
Awards Celebration - August 4, 2026
Award Categories and Fees
- Member Awards: FREE
- Chapter Awards: FREE
- Industry Awards: $125 Entry Fee
Add one additional event partner to your award submission for Catered Event of the Year or Wedding Event of the Year!
- $125 per participating team member
- All paid participating winners will be presented with a physical award at the NACE One Awards Program and Celebration Party. You do not need to be present to win.
- If you would like to include more than two event partners in your submission, please nominate as many team members as you would like for the Team Event of the Year category.
Industry Awards - $125 Entry fee
Submissions for Industry Awards are open to the public.
Events nominated in these categories MUST have taken place in 2025.
Nominees are not required to be NACE members.
Nominations must have client approval before submitting.
Catered Event of the Year
The Catered Event of the Year award recognizes outstanding planning and execution for on-premise and off-premise events that include food and beverage.Award nominations will be split into three subcategories:
- < $50,000
- between $50,000-$100,000
- > $100,000
Who should apply?
- On-premise caterers, off-premise caterers, hotel caterers, private clubs, restaurants
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Event Design and Décor of the Year
The Event Design and Décor of the Year award recognizes outstanding achievement in event design and décor for any social or corporate event.
Who should apply?
- Event planners, destination management companies, experiential marketing companies, florists
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Event Entertainment of the Year
The Event Entertainment of the Year award recognizes outstanding achievement in event entertainment concepts and execution for events such as parties, banquets, award ceremonies, fundraisers, festivals, sporting events, conventions and expositions, and social, corporate, and wedding events.
Who should apply?
- DJs, live entertainment professionals, auctioneers, live musical groups, emcees, event management companies
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Event Photography of the Year
The Event Photography of the Year award recognizes outstanding photography and the photographer’s artistic talents.
Who should apply?
- Photographers, photo booths, drone photography
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Event Production of the Year
The Event Production of the Year award recognizes outstanding achievement in the overall event planning and production of events, such as parties, banquets, award ceremonies, fundraisers, festivals, sporting events, conventions, and expositions, but excluding weddings (see Wedding of the Year award).
Who should apply?
- Event planners, facility venue, managers, videographers, drone videography, audio-visual companies, destination management companies, event production companies, public relations groups, experiential marketing companies
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Event Rental Collaborator of the Year
The Event Rental Collaborator of the Year award recognizes outstanding achievement in event rental support, including furniture, linens, flatware, tableware, chairs, bars, tents, dance floors, staging, pipe and drape, and anything you can rent for events.
Who should apply?
- Party rentals, furniture rentals, linen rentals, audio-visual companies, tabletop rentals, specialty rentals, tent rentals, unique rentals
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Speaker of the Year
The Speaker of the Year award recognizes professional speakers who consistently engage, motivate, and inspire audiences.
Who should apply?
- Speakers
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Team Event of the Year
The Team Event of the Year award recognizes outstanding achievement in the seamless team effort by a group of catering and event companies to execute the total event planning and production of a catered event, such as parties, banquets, award ceremonies, fundraisers, festivals, sporting events, conventions, and expositions.
Who should apply?
- Two or more companies who are collaborating together on an event
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Wedding of the Year
The Wedding of the Year award recognizes outstanding planning and execution for wedding events, including ceremony and reception.
Award nominations will be split into three subcategories:
- < $50,000
- between $50,000-$100,000
- > $100,000
Who should apply?
- Wedding planners, venues, hotels, on-premise and off-premise caterers, private clubs
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Chapter Awards - FREE Submission
Submissions for Chapter Awards are reserved for NACE Chapters only.
Events nominated for these categories MUST have taken place in 2025.
The same event cannot be nominated for multiple chapter awards.
View the Updated Chapter Size Tiers for 2026 - coming in January!
Chapter of the Year
The NACE Chapter of the Year award recognizes NACE chapters that exemplify outstanding achievement in chapter planning and management, member participation, the merit of educational programs, and membership growth and retention. Entries will be judged on how well the chapter achieved its overall goals and objectives for membership, educational programs, fundraising, community service, special activities, communications, and marketing.
One award will be given to each of three tiers of chapter sizes.
- Up to 30 members
- 31-64 members
- 65+ members
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Chapter Community Service of the Year
The NACE Chapter Community Service of the Year award recognizes outstanding work benefiting a charitable or non-profit organization, by means of an event or series of events, outreach activity, or fundraising.
One award will be given to each of three tiers of chapter sizes.
- Up to 30 members
- 31-64 members
- 65+ members
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Chapter Education Program of the Year
The NACE Chapter Education Program of the Year award recognizes the planning, production, and execution of a chapter program that demonstrates superior achievement in educational content.
One award will be given to each of three tiers of chapter sizes.
- Up to 30 members
- 31-64 members
- 65+ members
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Chapter Fundraising Event of the Year
The NACE Chapter Fundraising Event of the Year award recognizes success in planning, producing, and executing a single fundraising event for the chapter that exemplifies the outstanding efforts and abilities of the chapter and its members.
One award will be given to each of three tiers of chapter sizes.
- Up to 30 members
- 31-64 members
- 65+ members
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Chapter Program of the Year
The NACE Chapter Program of the Year award recognizes the planning, production, and execution of a chapter program, which demonstrates superior achievement in educational content, theme, and presentation.
One award will be given to each of three tiers of chapter sizes.
- Up to 30 members
- 31-64 members
- 65+ members
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Member Awards - FREE Submission
Member of the Year
The NACE Member of the Year award recognizes members whose membership, local and national association participation, contributions, and involvement have made a significant impact on NACE in the past year. Candidates must be NACE members in good standing for at least 6 consecutive years.
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Student Member of the Year
The NACE Student Member of the Year award recognizes student members whose chapter participation, contributions, and involvement have paved the way for fellow and future students, as well as increased the chapter’s involvement in the academic community.
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Emerging Member of the Year
The Emerging Member award recognizes relatively new members whose membership, local and national association participation, contributions, and involvement have made a significant impact on NACE in the past year. Candidates must be professional or young professional NACE members in good standing for at least one consecutive year, but not more than 5 consecutive years.
Criteria
Submit Nomination
George Zell Spirit of NACE
The George Zell Spirit of NACE award recognizes NACE members whose commitment and compassion toward humanitarianism make a profound and recognizable impact in memory of NACE member George Zell, who passed away in 1999. George was the quintessential NACE member, dedicated to his chapter and the national organization through leadership. This award is given at the discretion of the NACE National Board of Directors and may not be conferred each year.
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Michel Malecot Culinary Excellence Award
The Michel Malecot Culinary Excellence Award recognizes outstanding achievement in culinary excellence and community and industry involvement by a chef, chef-owner, or a major principle in a catering organization, including a restaurant, catering school, off-premise, or on-premise catering, with a minimum of 50% of revenue from catering or private events. This award recognizes those individuals with a commitment to leadership in culinary education, sustainability, and social responsibility, along with mentorship of chefs new to the catering and events industry.
Criteria
Submit Nomination
Honorary Awards
Honorees will be announced in March 2026.
Hall of Fame Award
The Hall of Fame Award honoree demonstrates history a of career achievement, sustained commitment to the advancement of the industry, and significant contributions to NACE on a national or local level. Honorees are individuals that have contributed to the catering and events industry and their service to the association has been significant, substantial, and long-standing.
The Hall of Fame honoree will be nominated by the National Board.
Icon Award
The NACE Icon award recognizes an industry professional who has made an impact through their company’s or personal efforts that advanced or made a significant contribution to the catering and events industry. The recipient of this award will join a group of outstanding individuals who have also made a meaningful impact on the industry. The recipient will be profiled by NACE and highlighted in future NACE Experience Conference marketing and promotions.
The Icon Award honoree will be nominated by the National Board.
