NACE Houston Chapter Local Awards Are Now Open
It’s that time of year again Houston! Lets celebrate the amazing events that were produced in 2023 and the big wins within the catering and events industry.
Submit your award submissions by Friday, August 9th by 11:59 pm
Big Date Change!
The NACE Houston Annual Awards Gala will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at the Westin Oaks Houston.
New This Year
This year, the Houston Board spent extra time and effort into streamlining and adjusting the industry awards criteria to help simplify the award submission process! Below you will find the information on our NEW awards submission process and criteria for the 2024 Industry Award Criteria. Should you have any questions or would like to receive example submissions for a certain category, please reach out to Ashley Marie, CPCE, your Chapter Historian at historian@nacehouston.net.
Quick Links
Individual Awards
Individual Awards can be nominated by ANY Primary Houston Chapter member in good standing, not just the Board.
Rising Star of the Year Award
The Rising Star of the Year recognizes those who are rising above and beyond, and who have demonstrated Chapter involvement through service to the Chapter on a committee or the Board, and shown great initiative in these endeavors.
Spirit of NACE
The Spirit of NACE Award recognizes a member in good standing who truly represents the “Spirit of NACE”, whose dedication to NACE and whose commitment and compassion towards humanitarianism leaves a profound and recognizable impact on the Houston Chapter. This member, whose commitment and dedication with creative insight, leadership and mentoring have positively influenced the Chapter and the Industry as a whole.
Danny Kallen Networker of the Year Award
Named in honor of Danny Kallen for his years of dedication, involvement, and commitment to Houston’s Event Industry, this award recognizes members of the chapter who have demonstrated the same attributes: industry engagement, community support, and Commitment to the Mission Statement of NACE.
Industry Legacy Award
To honor an individual who has made an impact through their company or personal efforts that advanced or made a significant contribution to the catering and/or the events industry.
Baumann-Reinheardt Member of the Year Award
Named in honor of Gary Baumann, CPCE and Margery Reinheardt, CPCE, for their years of dedication, leadership, and commitment to the Houston Chapter, this award recognizes members of the chapter who have demonstrated those same attributes: Dedication, Leadership and Commitment to the Mission Statement of NACE.
Industry Awards Requirements
Industry Award Entry Fees (Per Submission)
Chapter Member Pricing (Primary or Secondary)
- Submission between June 18th - July 31st: $65
- Submission between August 1st - 9th: $80
Non-Member Pricing
- Submission between June 18th - July 31st: $80
- Submission between August 1st - 9th: $105
Submission Rules
- Industry awards can be submitted by ANY Primary Houston Chapter professional /young professional member - All award entries will be submitted through JotForms, which will go live on Thursday, June 18th, 2024, at 10:00 am.
- An Additional Entry Fee per Team Member is required for Team Submissions. Each team member must remit their separate entry fee, and an invoice will be sent separately from the NACE Houston Treasurer. Should the entry win, each team member who submits an entry fee in this category will receive a trophy.
- Only one team member is responsible for submitting the completed award entry (per the criteria), and the submission should include team members who agree to the joint submission, fees included.
- NACE-sponsored or NACE-related events are NOT eligible.
- The event or design must have taken place between October 1, 2023 and May 31, 2024.
- Judging - All awards will be judged by a collaboration of fellow NACE Chapters and/or qualified industry-specific associations from across the country.
- Houston Secondary Members are welcome to submit for Industry Awards only.
- Please note the word count requirements notated in the criteria per award categories.
Industry Awards
Entertainment Production of the Year
Individual Entries Only
Purpose: This award aims to showcase the best in Event Entertainment concept and execution for events, such as parties, banquets, award ceremonies, fundraisers, festivals, sporting events, concerts, conventions, and expositions. This individual recognition is for innovative entertainment talents; therefore, team submissions are not eligible for this category.
Who should apply: DJs, live entertainment professionals, auctioneers, live musical groups, emcees, and event management companies.
Technical Production of the Year
Individual or Team Entries
Purpose: The Technical Production of the Year award recognizes outstanding achievement in staging, lighting, rigging, audio-visual components, and unique elements of event production by production companies for events, such as parties, banquets, award ceremonies, fundraisers, festivals, sporting events, concerts, conventions, and expositions.
Who should apply: Event planners, facility venue managers, videographers, drone videographers, audio-visual companies, event production companies, and public relations groups.
"Shot" of the Year
Individual Entries Only
Purpose: This award honors excellence in capturing moments from behind any camera. This individual recognition is for the photographer/videographer’s artistic talents, therefore team submissions are not eligible for this category.
Who should apply: Photographers, photo booths and drone photographers.
Styled Shoot of the Year
Individual or Team Entries
Purpose: This award recognizes outstanding achievement in event design and décor for a styled shoot for any social or corporate event. An abstract-styled shoot would be considered a “best of show” display where several elements of a social event or corporate event theme would be included to showcase all products: for example, event design and decor as seen at a wedding, social, or corporate event. This individual or group recognition is for concept design and execution, therefore team submissions are eligible for this category.
Who should apply: Planners, designers, venues, hotels, on-premises and off-premises caterers, and private clubs.
Synergy Award - Team Event of the Year
Team Entries Only
Purpose: This award aims to showcase the exceptional partnership demonstrated between Houston Chapter NACE members. It is designed to honor the teamwork and cohesive work relationship between NACE members and how collaborative teamwork produced an extraordinary event.
Special Requirements: Discuss the overall outcome of the event and the contributions of each team member. Describe any creative qualities and challenges that elevated the event and how the team worked together to execute the vision of the client.
Who should apply: A minimum of three (current, expired, or future) Houston NACE members must be represented on the award nomination, for example, on and off-premises caterers, event planners, facility venue managers, institutions (charitable, cultural, and educational), production companies, special event designers, linen companies, florists, balloon artists, ice artists, entertainment companies, photographers, videographers and other event collaborator.
Catered Event of the Year
Individual or Team Entries
Purpose: The "Catered/Food & Beverage Event of the Year" recognizes outstanding planning and execution for all on-premises and/or off-premises events including wedding reception events, events produced by venues, caterers, restaurants, clubs, or hotels with both in-house and outside catering facilities.
Special Requirements: The “Catered/Food & Beverage Event of the Year” Award nominations will be split into two subcategories (your entry should include your budget and retail value).
- Event Budget Less than $50,000
- Event Budget Greater than $50,000
Who should apply: On-premises caterers, off-premises caterers, hotel caterers, private clubs, and restaurants.
Floral Design/Table Scape of the Year
Individual or Team Entries
Purpose: This award recognizes outstanding achievement in overall floral design and/or tablescape for an event.
Who should apply: Event planners, destination management companies, experiential marketing companies, and florists.
Event Design/Decor of the Year
Individual or Team Entries
Purpose: This award recognizes outstanding achievement in overall design, floral design, tablescape, and décor for an event.
Who should apply: Event planners, destination management companies, experiential marketing companies, and florists.
Live Event Production of the Year
Individual or Team Entries
Purpose: The "Live Event Production of the Year" award recognizes outstanding achievement in the overall event planning and production of a catered event by on and off-premises caterers, event planners, facility venue managers, and institutions producing such events as parties, banquets, award ceremonies, fundraisers, festivals, sporting events, conventions, and expositions, excluding Wedding Ceremonies/Receptions (see Wedding of the Year award).
Who should apply: Event planners, facility venue managers, videographers, drone videographers, audio-visual companies, destination management companies, event production companies, public relations groups, and experiential marketing companies.
Wedding of the Year
Individual or Team Entries
Purpose: The "Wedding of the Year" award recognizes outstanding achievement in the overall event planning and production of a wedding ceremony and/or reception. Please refer to Live Event Production of the Year for other wedding-related events, such as rehearsal dinners, showers, after-parties, sangeets, mehndi parties, etc.
Special Requirements: The Wedding of the Year Award nominations will be split into two subcategories (your entry should include your budget and retail value).
- Event Budget Less than $50,000
- Event Budget Greater than $50,000
Who should apply: Wedding planners, venues, hotels, on-premises and off-premises caterers, private clubs.