Final Chance to Submit Your Event for a Gala Award

Today is your last day to submit your event for a Gala Award!

Special Events

October 31, 2023

2 Min Read
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Today is your last chance to submit your event for a Gala Award!

In March 2023, we ushered in one of the most heartwarming and empowering awards galas ever. Tears were shed, beautiful crystal awards were held high with pride, and the energy was overwhelmingly positive. We expect nothing less than that in 2024, when we award ACE, Gala, and CATIE awards alongside some very deserving leadership and lifetime achievement awards.

So head to the award portal to get it done! We want to celebrate you!

We invite you to submit your best work from the past year. Join in the excitement and the spirit of our industry as we celebrate the hard work and exceptional accomplishments of our peers. Check out this year's recipients for inspiration! 

The categories for 2024 are: 

  • Designer of the Year

  • Best Fundraising or Nonprofit Event

  • Micro Event of the Year

  • Virtual or Hybrid Event of the Year

  • Sustainability in Events

  • Best Wedding: Budget Under $1,000 Per Guest

  • Best Wedding: Budget $1,000 and Above Per Guest

  • Best Event Produced for a Corporation or Association: Overall Budget Under $500,000

  • Best Event Produced for a Corporation or Association: Overall Budget Over $500,000

  • Best Event for a Private Individual: Budget Under $1,000 Per Guest

  • Best Event for a Private Individual: Budget $1,000 and Above Per Guest

  • Total Décor: Budget Under $500,000

  • Total Décor: Budget Over $500,000

  • Best Entertainment: Budget Under $100,000

  • Best Entertainment: Budget $100,000 and Above

  • Most Outstanding Spectacle, Fair, or Festival

  • Best Multiple-Day Event Program for a Corporation or Association

To submit an entry to this year's ACE awards, please visit our awards portal.

Important Dates

  • September 1, 2022-September, 30, 2023 | Eligibility Period for Entries

  • Tuesday, October 31, 2023 | Late Bird submission deadline ($160 fee)

Submit Your Event

If you are interested in entering in the ACE awards instead, you can enter the 2024 Catersource ACE awards in the same online portal as the Gala awards. Catersource The Special Event will run February 12-15, 2024 in Austin, TX. Both the ACE and Gala awards will be presented during the conference at a to-be-determined location in Austin.

Want to be a Judge?

We are currently seeking volunteers to help judge this year's ACE and Gala submissions. If you are an industry veteran who would be interested in lending your experience and expertise to the judging process, please send an email to Senior Content Producer Amber Kispert at [email protected]. Judges will be selected based on their industry standing. 

All judges will remain anonymous and agree to judge impartially. 

About the Author

Special Events

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