Introducing "NACE News": Visit dfwnace.com/news weekly to stay up-to-date with all things DFW NACE

All About 2025 Award Submissions

Who’s ready to celebrate all of their wins from 2024?!  I cannot wait to see everyone in March at the Annual Awards Gala to celebrate YOU! But before we completely leave 2024 behind, we want to celebrate the hard work and events that we did so mark your calendars for TUESDAY, March 4th, Venue To Be Announced.

Below is information about our self-nominated awards. We would love for you to submit your incredible events in the categories listed below! 

Here are the categories you’ll see for the self-nominated awards this year:

We’ve streamlined the nomination criteria to simplify the process! Here are the categories and submission form(s) for the 2024 self-nominated awards:

  1. Separate categories for Wedding of the Year based on budget (below $50,000 and over $50,000) so that micro weddings aren’t competing with larger weddings – Wedding of the Year Submission Guidelines
  2. Separate categories for Event Production of the Year based on budget (below $25,000 and over $25,000) for smaller and larger events – Event of the Year Submission Guidelines
  3. Catered Event of the Year! The Catered Event of the Year award recognizes outstanding planning and execution for on-premise and off-premise events that include food and beverage  – Catered Event of the Year Submission Guidelines
  4. Event Photography of the Year! The Event Photography of the Year award recognizes outstanding photography and the photographer’s artistic talents. – Event Photography of the Year.
  5. Event Videography of the Year! The Event Videography of the Year award recognizes outstanding videography and the videographer’s artistic talents. – Event Videography of the Year.
  6. Our new 2024 category is AV production of the Year! This will recognize outstanding execution of audiovisual elements for catered events. – Event Audio/Visual Production of the Year.

**DEADLINE TO SUBMIT: WEDNESDAY, February 12th, 2025 – 5 PM!  Don’t miss your chance to be recognized for your 2024 efforts! 

DFW NACE Members can submit awards for free. Non-member submissions are $50 per award nomination.  There will be ONE award given to the person who actually submits for the award.  Additional trophies can be requested for a fee. 

Questions?  Email: pastpresident@dfwnace.com

Chris Harmon, DFW NACE Past President

January Meeting Recap: Brunch, Networking, and The Transition Blueprint

Friday, January 10, 2025

By Judy Philips, Director of Communications

On January 8, 2025, the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of the National Association for Catering and Events (DFW NACE) hosted its first SOLD OUT brunch of the year at the Lorenzo Hotel in Dallas. The event kicked off with networking at 11:00 AM, followed by a delicious brunch and an educational session led by Tara Melvin, Founder of Signature Concepts LLC.

Tara’s presentation, “The Transition Blueprint: From Weddings to Corporate Events,” was both insightful and engaging. She fostered an open and welcoming atmosphere, encouraging questions during and after her talk. Tara outlined ten actionable steps to help professionals pivot their businesses toward corporate events. Key takeaways included understanding corporate clients’ needs, refining communication with industry-specific terminology, and building systems tailored to corporate engagements. Attendees left motivated and equipped to expand their services, with our President Lauren Eck, sharing, “Her insights were not only practical but also inspiring, and the feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. We’re grateful to Tara for sharing her expertise and look forward to seeing the impact of her advice within our community.”

A heartfelt thank-you to the incredible sponsors who made the 2025 DFW NACE January brunch a success! The MacMeekens beautifully captured the event through photography, while the Lorenzo Hotel Tapestry Collection by Hilton, provided a stunning venue and exceptional catering. Gardenia Event Decor added elegance with centerpieces of white blooms and vibrant blue accents, and Magnify Coffee Catering delighted guests with a variety of coffee options—my personal favorite being their iced Americano. The audio-visual support did not miss a beat and was provided by Target Productions.

The day also featured a warm welcome from 2025 President Lauren Eck, updates on the upcoming service project with Feed My Starving Children shared by Community Service Chair Vanessa Alston, and the announcement of the 6-pack meeting deal with a happy hour add-on from Co-Directors of Membership, Ashley Scott and Sir J Starks.

Additionally, Chris Harmon, CPCE (The Honorable) Past President, announced the save-the-date for the highly anticipated March 4th (Fat Tuesday) Award Gala. He also reminded members that self-nominated awards will open on Monday, January 13—look out for more details in the upcoming email!

The event concluded with a raffle, where our very own NACE member, Cindy Ray, won two prizes! Congratulations, Cindy—what a great way to start the new year!

Special thanks to Al DeBerry, Managing Director at the Lorenzo Hotel, for generously gifting two copies of his latest book, “The Life of a Hotelier: The GM Years – Stories Behind the Scenes and Life Lessons Along the Way.”

DFW NACE continues to offer valuable networking and educational opportunities. We can’t wait to see you in February!

View More Photos Here: January Meeting on Facebook

2023 NACE Experience Conference DFW Sponsors

NACE Foundation Event:


Klyde Warren Park

Funky Town Donuts

Amorino

Vestals Catering

Tito’s Vodka

TX Whiskey Ranch

La Pulga TequilaJean-Charles Boisset Gin

JCB French Bubbly

Lakewood Brewery

LeForce Entertainment

Beyond

AFR

Shag Carpet Props

Verterra

Marquis Rentals

All-4-Fun

Beyond

Illuminations

Harmland Visions

Ladybird Paper Co.

Freedom Charters

Plush Photo Booth

EZ Party Time


For the Opening Session:

Bravo Entertainment

East Coast Entertainment

FGF Catering

FunkyTown Donuts

Idea Fountain, Inc

Out of the Garden

SHAG Carpet Prop Rentals

Sparks Agency

Truluck’s Ocean’s Finest Seafood and Crab

VerTerra 

Vestals Catering

Gilleys Dallas

Harmland Visions

For The Culinary Luncheon:


Render Events Co

BBJ La Tavola 

Top Tier Events and Staffing

Inkredible Sounds 

For the Design Experience Luncheon:

Inkredible Sounds

Todd Events

EB Inc Events

Whimsey Creative 


For the Gala and After Party:


Sarabeth Events

Jordan Kahn Music Orchestra

Justine Flowers

Tito’s Vodka

Mocktail Beverages

Lip Service Makeup

Speed Pro Addison

Inkredible Sounds

Quest Events

Top Tier

Harmland Visions

The Party Depot

Shag Carpet

Make Your Life Sweeter

AFRACA Event Designs

Say Cheese!

CORTEZ Party Time!

For the Unity Networking Hour:

Say Cheese

Monique Renee Entertainment


For the Goody Bags and Interactive Breaks:

Meadows Museum

Idea Fountain, Inc

Roadrunner Charters

Visit Dallas

Sky Blu Rooftop Bar

Aloft Hotel

Vestals Catering

YeliBelly Chocolates

Truluck’s Restaurant

Bowl and Barrel

FGF Catering

Lakewood Brewery

Free Range Concepts

Hello Imprint

AFR Event Furnishing 

Talent Envy

DJ Kelly Hooper

AP Magic

Mystic Kathryn

AVSD

All About 2024 Award Submissions

Who’s ready to celebrate all of their wins from 2023?!  I cannot wait to see everyone in March at the Annual Awards Gala to celebrate YOU! But before we completely leave 2023 behind, we want to celebrate the hard work and events that we did so mark your calendars for Sunday, March 3rd, 2024 at Arts District Mansion!

Below is information about our self-nominated awards. We would love for you to submit your incredible events in the categories listed below! 

Here are the categories you’ll see for the self-nominated awards this year:

  1. Separate categories for Wedding of the Year based on budget (below $50,000 and over $50,000) so that micro weddings aren’t competing with larger weddings – Wedding of the Year Submission Guidelines
  2. Separate categories for Event Production of the Year based on budget (below $25,000 and over $25,000) for smaller and larger events – Event Production of the Year Submission Guidelines
  3. Catered Event of the Year! The Catered Event of the Year award recognizes outstanding planning and execution for on-premise and off-premise events that include food and beverage – Catered Event of the Year Submission Guidelines
  4. Event Photography of the Year! The Event Photography of the Year award recognizes outstanding photography and the photographer’s artistic talents – Event Photography of the Year.
  5. Event Videography of the Year! The Event Videography of the Year award recognizes outstanding videography and the videographer’s artistic talents – Event Videography of the Year 
  6. Our new 2024 category is AV production of the Year! This will recognize outstanding execution of audiovisual elements for catered events. Event Audio/Visual Production of the Year.

**DEADLINE TO SUBMIT:  Friday, February 16th, 2024!  Don’t miss your chance to be recognized for your 2023 efforts!

DFW NACE Members can submit awards for free. Non-member submissions are $50 per award nomination.  There will be ONE award given to the person who actually submits for the award.  Additional trophies can be requested for a fee. 

Submission Form: You can submit your award online HERE 

Questions?  Email: pastpresident@dfwnace.com 

Jennifer Burns

DFW NACE Immediate Past President

2023 Board of Directors

📸 @themamones

President – Jennifer Burns

President Elect – Christopher Harmon

Vice President – Jennifer LeForce RoushImmediate

Past President – Lauren Twichell, CPCE

Secretary – Kathryn Krieger

Treasurer – Jennifer Crenshaw

Co-Directors of Programs – Indya Willis, CPCE

Co-Directors of Programs – Shamica Sweat

Director of Membership – Judy Philips

Director of Communications – Chris Horace

Director of Fundraising – Chantel McCraney Bourdreaux

Director of Community Service – Marlene Faulkner

Education Chair – Sarah Ligon

Ways and Means – Vanessa Alston

Meet the Board: Director of Community Service – Noel Iverson

Tell us about your business or the work you do. Everything we do begins with character and authenticity. Our purpose is to create first-class musical experiences for our clients and community, with charm, character, and class!

How long have you been a NACE member? On the board? I have been a member of NACE for one year and a board member for 2 months!

What is your personal motto? Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you will be criticized for it anyway.

What is your guilty pleasure? Coffee and Star Wars.

Which actor or actress would play you in the movie about your life? JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT

What does true leadership mean to you? Leadership is the ability to communicate another persons’ self-worth and value so clearly, that they come to start believing it in their selves.

What is in the trunk of your car right now? Jumper cables, a microphone, and a roll of gaff tape.

Meet the Board: Director of Ways & Means – Shamica Sweat

Tell us about your business or the work you do. I am the owner and principal planner at Shamica & Co. Event Planning and Deisgn. We specialize in high end weddings and events.

How long have you been a NACE member? I am in my second year with NACE. On the board? 2022 is my first year on the board.

What is your personal motto? My personal motto is “Do everything with grace and gratitude.”

What is your guilty pleasure? My gulity pleasure is sneaking away for some self care and a long day at the spa.

Which actor or actress would play you in the movie about your life? Janelle Monae

What does true leadership mean to you? True leadership to me means leading by example, don’t ask someone to do something you are not willing to do. Give grace where it is needed and be firm when it applies.

What is in the trunk of your car right now? In the trunk of my car right now are several sets of dumbell weights for the new fitness journey I have embarked upon.

Meet the Board: Director of Education – Amy Karp

Tell us about your business or the work you do. I founded Amy Karp Photography over 15 years ago and specialize in weddings, portraits and commercial photography. I am so very fortunate to be able to document my client’s best days and I’ve been able to do that over 450 times in my career. I am Dallas-based but also have a passport and my camera takes me to many amazing places around the globe. 

How long have you been a NACE member? On the board? I have been a NACE member since 2019 and this is my first year on the board as the Education Chair. 

What is your personal motto? Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.

What is your guilty pleasure? It has to be reality TV — I have it on as background noise when working from home a lot. 

Which actor or actress would play you in the movie about your life? Amy Pohler … not because we have he same name but because she’s got amazing comedic timing and I’ve been watching her since the Upright Citizens Brigade.

What does true leadership mean to you? Leading with kindness and compassion and always willing to step up for any task no matter how big or small. 

What is in the trunk of your car right now? A giant bag with nightstands and lighting equipment … its huge and takes up almost the entire back of the car. I could easily get inside and zip up comfortably if I needed to 😉

Meet the Board: Co-Director of Programs Paige Mejia

Tell us about your business or the work you do. Pyrotex is the oldest Texas-based professional firework company, also offering indoor pyro and special effects.  I server as Chief Marketing Officer, Haz-Mat Driver, and lead Pyrotechnician, but also one of the Co-Owners of the company.  

How long have you been a NACE Member? Years On the Board? 10 years, 1.5 months

What is your Personal Motto?  You have the freedom of choice, not the freedom of consequence

What is your guilty pleasure? Netflix!  Mostly law enforcement shows, but I’m currently catching up on Ozark and the new season of Project Runway

Which actor or actress would play you in the movie about your life? Well, Paris Hilton played me already…”Paige Edwards” (my maiden name) in the movie House of Wax, but people used to say that I looked like Nicole Kidman…so I’d go with her!

What does true leadership mean to you? True leadership is raising the people around you up so high that they reach a point where you are no longer qualified to lead them.

What is in the trunk of your car right now? My trade show booth stuff because January and February are bridal show season, so no point in taking it out; a hammer, gloves, and cooler for our Dancing on a Cloud effect; and a measuring wheel for site visits…I’m sure there is some kid stuff back there too!

Meet the Board: Jennifer Burns -President Elect

Tell us about your business or the work you do.

I run Illumination Fireworks, a fireworks and special effects company, and Ultimate Confetti, which is a division of Illumination Fireworks.  Ultimate Confetti.com is the go to place for everything that is confetti, we sell Nationally and Internationally via our website.    We are based in Carrollton Texas. 

How long have you been a NACE member? On the board?

I believe I have been a member for 15 years??  On the board for 6.

What is your personal motto?

I find that I say “Onward and Upward” often, just trying to focus on the positive and what is next. 

What is your guilty pleasure?

Chardonnay

Which actor or actress would play you in the movie about your life?

I would love it if either Jennifer Gardner or Jennifer Lawrence would play me, not because their name is Jennifer :). They could portray me as a tall bad-ass.   

What does true leadership mean to you?

Communication and leading by example

What is in the trunk of your car right now?

Bottled Water, you never know when you might be thirsty.