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

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

Tell us about your business or the work you do

My company, Knife & Faulk provides boutique-style catering for weddings, private parties, social and corporate events as well as cooking workshops for individuals and groups led by Chef Marlene Faulkner.  Specializing in Modern American cuisine, Knife and Faulk showcases the art of combining fresh ingredients with culinary excellence by creating customized menus that highlight any event.  This attention to detail helps to create some of the most memorable experiences for clients.

What do you love most about the work you do?

I thoroughly enjoy creating food experiences and connecting with people.  Entertaining is a lifestyle and being able to share my passion for food and entertaining is what I love most. 

What Committee are you on for NACE and what do you do?

I am a part of the Communications Committee specifically with Social Media. 

Which best describes you? Iphone/Mac, Iphone/PC, Android/Mac, Android/PC?

Android/Mac 

When you’re not working, what are you doing?

I enjoy spending lots of time with my husband and daughters, volunteering in the community and at my local church, and entertaining friends and family.  I also enjoy learning and reading.

Tell us one thing on your bucket list

To travel throughout Europe. 

Is there a song you wish they would stop playing at events?

Not really.  The songs that are played at events create pretty specific memories for others and help me to reflect on how much things have changed.

If you had one extra hour of free time a day, how would you use it?

It’s so important to disconnect sometimes and find ways to just be.  I’d find a way to do just that.

Tell us about your business or the work you do.

My name is Shamica Sweat and I am the owner and lead planner at Shamica & Co. Event Planning and Design. We specialize in planning and designing curated wedding experiences.

What do you love most about the work you do?

What I love most about what I do is helping clients bring their wedding day visions to life while creating an event experience for the client and their guests.  

What Committee are you on for NACE and what do you do?

I currently serve on both the Communication and Fundraising Committees.

Which best describes you? Iphone/Mac, Iphone/PC, Android/Mac, Android/PC?

I am an Apple girl all the way, iPhone and Mac.

When you’re not working, what are you doing?

When I am not working I am enjoying time with my husband and kiddos, hanging out, and exploring new things. 

Tell us one thing on your bucket list.

One of the things on my bucket list is to go on a dune buggy tour in the deserts of Dubai.

Is there a song you wish they would stop playing at events?

I love all types of music and don’t really have a song I wish they would stop playing at weddings. A song I wish they would play at every wedding is Tennessee Whiskey. I love the beat and cadence of the song. 

If you had one extra hour of free time a day, how would you use it?

If I had an extra hour in the day I would spend it shopping.