Announcing the Winners of the 2012 Chicago ISES/N.A.C.E. Awards

Jenny Berg
April 19, 2012

On Tuesday night, local members of the National Association of Catering Executives and the International Special Events Society hosted the 11th annual N.I.C.E. awards at Abbington Distinctive Banquets in Glen Ellyn. The evening awarded companies and individuals in categories such as Best Theme Decor and Most Creative Menu.  Here's a look at the winners in each category:

Best Corporate Event Under $25,000
Total Event Resources

Best Corporate Event Over $75,000
Chicago Travel Consultants Inc.

Best Wedding Under $25,000
The Meetinghouse Companies Inc.

Best Wedding $25,000-$75,000
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center and Hotel

Best Wedding Over $75,000
Christina Currie Events Inc.

Best Fund-Raiser/Nonprofit Event Over $75,000
Total Event Resources
Kehoe Designs

Best Fair/Festival
The Meetinghouse Companies Inc.

Best N.I.C.E. Team Event
Christina Currie Events Inc.
The Meetinghouse Companies Inc.
Classic Party Rentals

Best Catered Event Off-Premise Over $25,000
Food Evolution

Most Creative Planned Menu
Food Evolution

Best Entertainment Over $15,000
Stitey Entertainment

Most Creative Invitation
DBY Invitations

Best Theme Decor Under $20,000
Oliveairé Artisan Events and Meetings

Best Theme Decor $20,000 to $50,000
Oliveairé Artisan Events and Meetings

Best Theme Decor Over $50,000
The Meetinghouse Companies Inc.

Best Floral Design
The Meetinghouse Companies Inc.

Best Tabletop Design
The Meetinghouse Companies Inc.

Best Use of Tenting
Classic Party Rentals

Best Use of Rentals
Classic Party Rentals

ISES Rising Star
David Calzaretta/Magnificent Events Ltd.

Lifetime Achievement
Deborah Borsum/The Meetinghouse Companies Inc.

 

Latest in Strategy
Firmbee Com Jrh5l Aq M Is Unsplash
Strategy
How Higher Tariffs Are Impacting the Event Industry
As of press time, both the Palisades and Eaton fires were almost 100% contained.
Opinion & Experts
The Case for Hosting Events in Los Angeles Right Now
Sometimes, leaning into the season through cozy, winter-inspired decor can add a natural warmth to your event design. For a corporate holiday party held in December 2023, Sterling Engagements created a stylish wintry retreat in a lodge-like setting. The space featured snow-dusted trees, serene blue lighting inspired by the winter sky, and a color palette complemented by shimmering metallics that were designed to catch the light. The centerpiece of the festive gathering was the plaid dance floor and eye-catching ceiling installation, which mixed different mediums including winter greens, pine cones, starbursts, and more. Florals furthered the whimsical, wintry theme.
Strategy
20 Toasty Tips for Keeping Guests Warm at Winter Events
Hannah Johnson of Perennial Zero Waste has consulted on waste management for REI events since 2019.
Strategy
How REI (Literally) Takes Out the Trash at Events—and What Event Profs Can Learn From It
Related Stories
E20373sa
Chicago
Announcing the Winners of the 2011 Chicago I.S.E.S./N.A.C.E. Awards
The One Group threw a laser-filled dance party to celebrate STK's anniversary.
Strategy
STK Throws Anniversary Party With Glowing Body Paint, Lasers, and Futuristic Cocktails
A Saucony van was positioned outside of the venue. The sides of the vehicle opened up to become display cases for the new running shoe, and a sound system playing upbeat tunes was positioned at the back of the van.
Strategy
Saucony Promotes New Running Shoe, Ad Campaign With Twitter Mosaic
At the promotion, visitors could pet trained service dogs and bring their own four-legged friends to Dundas Square.
Strategy
Fido Launches Canadian Road Trip With a Pet-Friendly Promo
More in Strategy
Strategy
How Higher Tariffs Are Impacting the Event Industry
Event profs weigh in on this hot economic topic and share how the increased costs are affecting their businesses.
Firmbee Com Jrh5l Aq M Is Unsplash
Opinion & Experts
The Case for Hosting Events in Los Angeles Right Now
Local event professionals share how the wildfires have impacted their events—and why bringing productions to Los Angeles right now is safe and more important than ever.
As of press time, both the Palisades and Eaton fires were almost 100% contained.
Strategy
20 Toasty Tips for Keeping Guests Warm at Winter Events
Discover how to infuse warmth into your event—without sacrificing style and creativity.
Sometimes, leaning into the season through cozy, winter-inspired decor can add a natural warmth to your event design. For a corporate holiday party held in December 2023, Sterling Engagements created a stylish wintry retreat in a lodge-like setting. The space featured snow-dusted trees, serene blue lighting inspired by the winter sky, and a color palette complemented by shimmering metallics that were designed to catch the light. The centerpiece of the festive gathering was the plaid dance floor and eye-catching ceiling installation, which mixed different mediums including winter greens, pine cones, starbursts, and more. Florals furthered the whimsical, wintry theme.
Strategy
How REI (Literally) Takes Out the Trash at Events—and What Event Profs Can Learn From It
Waste management is a major part of the outdoor retailer's sustainable event practices.
Hannah Johnson of Perennial Zero Waste has consulted on waste management for REI events since 2019.
Strategy
Does Your Event Need a Custom Scent?
The right aroma can enhance your event’s atmosphere and leave a lasting impression—without overpowering your attendees.
How to Use Scents at Events
Strategy
18 Fun Ways to Keep Guests Cool at Outdoor Events
From misting stations to cooling towels, these creative (and often unexpected!) ideas can help your event guests beat the heat this summer.
At Lollapalooza 2019, Pepsi offered shade under a giant prop rainbow. Guests could also swing under cloud-shaped balloons. See more: Lollapalooza 2019: Inside Guest-Focused Brand Activations from Brands Like Pepsi and Cupcake Winery
Most Popular
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Cannes Lions 2025: 90+ Bold Builds and Big Ideas From the French Festival of Creativity
Brands & Event Pros
Industry Innovators 2025: Sephora
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
50 Cool Event Ideas You May Have Missed From Liquid I.V., Martha Stewart, Foot Locker, and More
Brands & Event Pros
Industry Innovators 2025: 10 Brands That Took Experiential Marketing to a Whole New Level
Sports
Fanatics Fest 2025: This Mega Celebration of Sports Fandom Returned For a Bigger, Bolder Second Year
Industry Insiders
Inside the Build: How Bellagio Fountain Club Delivers F1® Weekend’s Most Luxurious Hospitality Experience
Strategy
Tips for Hosting an Event Inside an Airplane Hangar—Where Not Even the Sky Is the Limit
Take insights and inspiration from the grand opening of The Executive Hangar, a new venue in Fullerton, Calif.
'Tap into travel,' Borunda advises of hosting inside an airplane hangar. 'Hosting an event at a hangar opens doors to many fun themes. Lean into the obvious aviation or travel themes, and decorate with planes and helicopters. Other fun themes can be ‘launch’ parties; milestones ‘reaching new heights’; or anything that can be a fun play on words in relation to planes, helicopters, or the hangar.'
Strategy
How to Shut Down a Major City Strip for a Single-Day Food and Wine Fest
We spoke with the production team behind the Las Olas Wine & Food Festival to talk strategy—along with all the food, beverage, and activation highlights.
The one-night-only Las Olas Wine & Food Festival Tasting Pavilion took over five city blocks and several side streets. A production management team of 40, along with various activation partners who brought the sponsorships and experiences to life, were given just 24 hours by the City of Fort Lauderdale to build, execute, and break down the festival.
Strategy
Q&A: Inside the Record-Breaking Sustainability Efforts at This Year's Mardi Gras
Through its new Recycle Dat! initiative, New Orleans managed to divert over 10 tons of waste from landfills during last month's citywide celebration.
Mardis Gras 2024 Sustainability Efforts
Strategy
9 Tips for Effectively Repurposing Event Content
Events and conferences can be a treasure trove of content that, if used wisely, can keep your audience engaged all year. Here's how to repurpose content effectively.
Tips for Repurposing Event Content
Strategy
10 Tips on How to Optimize a Private Dining Room for Events
From Miami to San Diego, we spoke with 10 event professionals about what to look for in a private dining room when planning your next event.
At Twenty-Eight Atlantic at Wequasset Resort & Golf Club on Cape Cod, the private dining room's focal points are its floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views of Pleasant Bay.
Strategy
9 Ways to Minimize Travel-Related Delays to Your Event
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 20.8% of flights have been delayed so far in 2023. Here's how to keep unexpected travel woes from ruining your event.
Shutterstock 335469545
Page 1 of 135
Next Page