The winners of the second-annual Los Angeles Readers' Choice Awards were announced today at BizBash IdeaFest Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Readers were first invited to nominate local event professionals in 13 categories and then, later, to vote on the finalists through our interactive voting site. In all, more than 40,000 votes were cast over the course of two weeks. The winners are:
Association Event Planner of the Year: Wayneston Harbeson, National Association of Television Program Executives
Caterer of the Year (In-House): Frank Fraser, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
Caterer of the Year (Off-Premise): Elle Nucci, Premiere Events
Corporate Event Planner of the Year: Michael Vargo, The Walt Disney Company
DJ of the Year: DJ Lee Dyson, Hey Mister DJ
Entertainment Act of the Year: Liquid Blue
Event Designer of the Year: Ricardo Luna, Luna Gardens Events
Event Producer of the Year: Jason Harder, Shiraz Events
Fund-Raising Event Planner of the Year: Stephanie Jernigan, Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts
PR Professional of the Year: Rachel Weil, Weil Public Relations
Reality Show Event Planner of the Year: David Tutera, My Fair Wedding
Social Event Planner of the Year: Sarah Lowy, JOWY Productions
Venue Manager of the Year: Mandy Hanlon, Petersen Automotive Museum
