• Announcing the NICE Award Winners

     
    POSTED May 2, 2014
     

Hello Readers!

Now in its 13th year, the annual NICE Awards were held on April 7 at the new Hotel Chicago to recognize the movers and shakers in our industry-literally. With this year’s theme, "Travel is NICE," guests checked in to receive their boarding pass for the night’s exciting ride. The NICE Awards are a joint venture of the Chicago chapters of NACE (National Association of Catering and Events) and ISES (International Special Events Society) that celebrate achievements in event planning, catering, entertainment and creative and supportive services. Join me in celebrating these well-deserved winners.

Best Corporate Event: Total Event Resources

Best Social Event: Christina Currie Events

Best Wedding: LK Events

Best Non-Profit or Fundraiser Event: Advocate Charitable Foundation

Best NICE Team Event: Catering by Michael’s with Kehoe Designs

Best Green Event: Catering by Michael’s

Best Fair or Festival: Magnificent Events

Best Catered Event, Off Premise: Catering by Michael’s

Best Buffet Presentation: Catering by Michael’s

Best Plated Presentation: Catering by Michael’s

Best Musical Entertainment: Magnificent Events

Best Interactive Entertainment: The Actor’s Gymnasium

Best Use of Printed or Digital Collateral: Greenstar Paperie

Best Theme Décor for a Social Event: Christina Currie Events

Best Theme Décor for a Wedding: Oliveaire Artisan Events & Meetings

Best Use of Tenting: Arena Americas

Best Logistical Achievement for an Event: Catering by Michael’s

Best Use of Rental Equipment: Arena Americas

Industry Excellence Award: Nancy Brockway of Hall’s Rental

ISES Rising Star Award: Michelle Castady of 360 Destination Group

NACE Rising Star Award: Whitney Taylor of Drape Kings.

 Be sure to stay tuned for all the winners of Illinois Meetings + Events’ 9th Annual Readers’ Choice Best Of Awards, which we will announce next week!

 Happy planning!

Selena Fragassi
Editor, Illinois Meetings + Events magazine

Hospitality Industry Steps Up to Help Ukrainian Refugees

In early March, Meeting Professionals International released a statement regarding the invasion of Ukraine: 

“In a show of support for the people of Ukraine, MPI will immediately suspend business with all companies in Russia. In addition, any plans to formalize a chapter in Russia will be paused….We remain concerned for the well-being of our community and our MPI members in Russia and Ukraine who were already seeking to climb out of the shadow of this pandemic and are now experiencing these unprecedented challenges.”

 
Meetings Outlook

 Meeting Professionals International (MPI), published its 2022 Winter Meetings Outlook, a quarterly report that identifies new trends and innovations. 

Among its findings: 

 
#WeMakeEvents Campaign Lights the Sky Red

On September 1, over 1,500 businesses across the country illuminated their buildings with red lights to draw attention to the devastation that the live events and performance art industries have faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.