The winners of the Gala Awards—the most prestigious award in special events—were named last night at The Special Event, held at the Phoenix Convention Center.
The black-tie evening capped off the week of seminars and showcasing events, including yesterday's Masters' Program and Brunch featuring legendary Carabiner founder Leslie Buckland as keynote speaker.
At the brunch, Canadian-based POP Kollaborative founder and creative director Kenneth Kristoffersen, CSEP, CEM, received the Steve Kemble Leadership Award.
The Gala Award winners:
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Patti Roscoe
PRA/Allied International
BEST FAIR/FESTIVAL
The Lundquist Co., Roseville, Calif.
"First 5 Sacramento Children's Celebration"
BEST INVITATION
High Rise Events, Westlake Village, Calif.
"Groundbreaking on Lot 165"
BEST DINING TABLE DESIGN
The Precious Moment Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwan
"Celebrating Cultural Diversity at Anniversary Gala"
BEST OFF-PREMISE CATERED EVENT
Culinary Capers Catering, Vancouver, British Columbia
"Shaw Hospitality at the 2010 Games"
BEST FUNDRAISING EVENT
Alison Silcoff Events, Montreal
"The Daffodil Ball"
BEST EVENT PRODUCED FOR A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
Destination King, Memphis, Tenn., and Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.
"Le Bonheur Grand Opening"
BEST WEDDING: BUDGET UNDER $1,000 PER GUEST
Events of Distinction, San Francisco
"An A-Door-able Celebration"
BEST WEDDING: BUDGET $1,000 AND ABOVE PER GUEST
Frank: Master Bridal Consultant and Event Expert, Chicago
"Michele and Tom Get Married"
BEST MULTIPLE-DAY INCENTIVE EVENT
Jobe and Associates, Dublin, Ohio
"NFS Awards Conference"
BEST MULTIPLE-DAY EVENT PROGRAM FOR A CORPORATION OR ASSOCIATION
H.J. Heinz Co., Pittsburgh
"Heinz May 2010 National Meetings"
BEST EVENT STAGED IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Jung von Matt Relations GmbH, Cologne, Germany
"Mission: 24 h Redesigned"
BEST FLORAL DESIGN
Designs by Sean, Dania, Fla.
"At Last, Chad and Nicole"
BEST TENT INSTALLATION
Tentnology, Surrey, British Columbia
"Bahrain Royal Wedding Celebration"
BEST USE OF LIGHTING
Images by Lighting, Los Angeles
"L.A. Philharmonic Gala"
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Aggreko, Houston
"Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games"
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN LOGISTICS
Tentnology, Surrey, British Columbia
"Bahrain Royal Wedding Celebration"
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EVENT RENTAL SUPPORT
Town & Country Event Rentals, Van Nuys, Calif.
"Ancient Paths, Modern Voices"
BEST NEW, INNOVATIVE EVENT PRODUCT/TECHNOLOGY
Howard Givner Co., Scarsdale, N.Y.
"Super Planner"
BEST EVENT ENTERTAINMENT: BUDGET $100,000 AND BELOW
SME Inc., Los Angeles, and Whatever Artists Management, London
"London Live"
BEST EVENT ENTERTAINMENT: BUDGET ABOVE $100,000
EventWorks, Los Angeles
"Amway China Gala Dinner"
MOST OUTSTANDING SPECTACLE
K-Events, Milan
"Venice Carnival"
BEST EVENT FOR PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL/S: BUDGET UNDER $1,000 PER GUEST
Someone's in the Kitchen, Tarzana, Calif., and SRO Events, Tarzana, Calif.
"Shawn Hits the Big 50"
BEST EVENT FOR PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL/S: BUDGET $1,000 AND ABOVE PER GUEST
Lynn Fletcher Weddings, Calgary, Alberta
"For You … Michelle"
BEST EVENT MARKETING CAMPAIGN
Vok Dams, Wuppertal, Germany
"SEAT Geneva Auto Salon 2010"
BEST THEATRICAL ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION
Vok Dams, Wuppertal, Germany
"International Dealership Porsche Cayenne"
ENTERTAINMENT AT THE GALA CELEBRATION
BEST DECOR: TOTAL DECOR BUDGET UNDER $20,000
Magic Moments, Norcross, Ga.
"Friday Night Lights"
BEST DECOR: TOTAL DECOR BUDGET $20,000 TO $49,999
Warner Bros. Special Events, Burbank, Calif.
"WBTV International L.A. Screenings"
BEST DECOR: TOTAL DECOR BUDGET $50,000 TO $150,000
Hello Florida, Orlando, Fla.
"CITGO 100th Anniversary"
BEST DECOR: TOTAL DECOR BUDGET ABOVE $150,000
MGM Resorts Events, Las Vegas
"Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas Grand Opening"
BEST EVENT FOR CORPORATION OR ASSOCIATION: OVERALL BUDGET UNDER $100,000
Metzler: Vater, Zorneding, Germany
"Red Ball Big Bang"
ENTERTAINMENT AT THE GALA CELEBRATION
BEST EVENT FOR CORPORATION OR ASSOCIATION: OVERALL BUDGET $100,000 TO $249,999
Someone's in the Kitchen, Tarzana, Calif.
"AMPAS Foreign Language Awards"
BEST EVENT FOR CORPORATION OR ASSOCIATION: OVERALL BUDGET $250,000 TO $500,000
Elias Events, Houston
"Let Us Entertain You"
BEST EVENT FOR CORPORATION OR ASSOCIATION: OVERALL BUDGET ABOVE $500,000
EventWorks, Los Angeles
"Amway China Gala Dinner"
SEE ALL THE GALA NOMINEES
To review all the nominees, click here.
The Special Event 2012 runs Jan. 25 through 27 in Tampa, Fla.
RELATED STORIES FROM SPECIAL EVENTS
Hot Ideas, Cool Concepts Offered on Day 2 at The Special Event
Panel Covers Toughest, Smartest Decisions at The Special Event 2011
