National Association of Catering Executives: The Detroit NACE Blog

2008 Detroit NACE Awards “Bring On The Bling” A Smashing Success!

When the Detroit NACE crew rolled up on the Troy Marriott’s Mediterranean Room on October 14^th to honor outstanding professional accomplishments for 2008, they were bringing the bling: What seemed to be a coterie of pimps, players, hustlers, starlets and nouveau riche was actually a collection of the most dynamic event creative professionals in Metropolitan Detroit.

Attendees were met by Officer Christopher Neumann of The Bling Police who was issuing Citations for Lack of Bling or Citations for Too Much Bling. The Human Red Carpet, comprised of Janet Engelhardt and others from the Royal Park Hotel and Chair Covers & Linens, provided the perfect entry point for an extraordinary event.

Ceremonies were kicked off with a performance by energetic members of the Troy Dance & BodyWorks dance troupe.

This year’s awards committee was co-chaired by Todd Lloyd of Chair Covers & Linens and Sue Keels of the Royal Park Hotel. The 2008 Nominations Chair was Joan Kacir, a former chapter President.

By all accounts, their leadership was a resounding success. Consider the following accomplishments:

·      “Bring On The Bling” was the largest NACE Awards Dinner in the history of the chapter.

·      The event was sold out at 160 attendees, nearly doubling the number of Detroit NACE members in good standing of 86 people.

·      There were more nominations this year than ever before.

·      This was the inaugural year for The Lifetime Achievement Award.

And here are this year’s big winners:

Best Catered Event, 2008: Toni LeGrande, CMP, The Townsend Hotel

Best Wedding Event, 2008: Floreen Halpern, Amaryllis Catering

Best Theme Event, 2008: Toni LeGrande, CMP, The Townsend Hotel

Best Table Design, 2008: Jennifer Charles, Something Fabulous

Best Event–Technical Support, 2008: Ryan Koral, Epic Motion

Best Industry Event, 2008: Sue Keels, Royal Park Hotel

Best Team Event, 2008:

Mark Ephraim, MPE Event Productions

Todd Lloyd, Chair Covers & Linens

John Lamb, Display Group

Tom Gaunt, Mayesh Wholesale Florist

Caterer of the Year, 2008: Sue Keels, Royal Park Hotel

Member of the Year, 2008: Kurt Colone, Mike Staff Productions

Michael Havens Award, 2008: Todd Lloyd, Chair Covers & Linens

Lifetime Achievement Award, 2008: Liz Bakunovich, Morton’s The Steakhouse

Special thanks to this year’s Detroit NACE Awards sponsors:

Blumz…by JRDesigns – Bouquets of Flowers

Chair Covers & Linens – Bling Chargers, LED Lighting, Linen for High-Tops

Christopher & Company – Floral Centerpieces

Colonial Rental – Bling Chandelier Centerpieces

Crystal Gardens Banquet Center & Town Host Catering – Coffee Station

The Display Group – Paparazzi Props

Edward’s Wedding Photography – Photography

Epic Motion – Program Creation

Fabulous Events – Chair Covers, Napkins and Table Linens

Federal Express – Shipping

GRAYMATTERS – Email Blast and Marketing

IceCaterers – Martini Luge and Ice Ball

The Lighting Guy – Lighting

Mike Staff Productions – DJ/Emcee Service and Audio

Morton’s Steakhouse

MPE Event Productions – Red Carpet

NACE

Royal Park Hotel – Bling Favors

Something Fabulous – Program

Showtime Events – Illuminated Bar and Table

Shutterbooth – Photo Booth and Program Creation

Troy Dance and BodyWorks – Dancing with The Stars

Troy Marriott – Venue and AV Services

Zingerman’s – Bling Cake

Here are the Shutterbooth photos - check them out! 

Also, please take a moment to enjoy the pictures, courtesy of Edward’s Wedding Photography.

Here’s a link to ALL of the pictures courtesy of Edwards Wedding Photography.