Gala Award Submissions Now Being Accepted!

Check out this year's new categories!

Special Events

June 1, 2022

2 Min Read
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Catersource + The Special Event speaker Deborah Elias’ (Elias Events) excitement was palpable during the awards ceremony, where her A Spooktacular Night was named Best Event for a Private Individual: Budget Under $1,000 Per Guest.WASIO Photography

It's once again time to celebrate the best of the best! Nominations are now being accepted for the Special Events 2023 Gala awards!  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.

This year's Gala Awards will be like no other since we have added a few additional categories. This year's new categories include: 

  • Designer of the Year

  • Best Fundraising or Nonprofit Event

  • Micro Event of the Year

  • Virtual or Hybrid Event of the Year

  • Sustainability in Events

This year's new categories will also be joined by the following categories: 

  • 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 Gala awards, please visit our awards portal at https://ace-gala.awardsplatform.com/

Important Dates

  • Wednesday, June 1st | Gala Award Submissions Open

  • Jan. 1st, 2022-Nov. 30, 2022 | Eligibility Period for Entries

  • Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022 | Regular submission deadline ($99 fee)

  • Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022 | Late Bird submission deadline ($160 fee)

If you are interested in entering in the ACE Awards instead, you can enter the Catersource 2023 ACE awards in the same online portal as the Gala Awards. Catersource and The Special Event will once again co-locate, running March 27-30, 2023 in Orlando, Fla. Both the ACE and Gala Awards will be presented during the conference at a to-be-determined location in Orlando.

About the Author

Special Events

Special Events Media includes an annual conference, tradeshow, and magazine, online presence, e-newsletters, and more. Click here for conference information. Click here to sign up for any of our free e-news products or the quarterly issue of Special Events magazine. We provide event professionals with design and menu inspiration, wisdom for producing events, updates on products and services, sales-building strategies, and business management tips.

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