Get ready for 2025!

Are you the ONE (‘Ekahi)?

NACE Hawaii will be hosting the 3rd Hawaii ‘Ekahi Awards, an awards gala that recognizes the outstanding achievement of wedding/event professionals from all industry categories over the past year. This gala will allow wedding & event professionals to network, celebrate, and foster closer relationships amongst one another which cultivates the spirit of community over competition.

You are creative, resourceful and have delivered some not so shabby events for your clients. You deserved to be recognized as THE ONE who stands out amongst your peers.

Choice Awards Categories - FREE Submission

Businesses are nominated and recognized by other wedding/event professionals, peers and the public. Awards include recognition within each category such as Venue of the Year, Photographer of the Year, or Caterer of the Year; as well as more unique awards such as Company of the Year, Rising Star Award, and more. NO ENTRY FEE. The nominees for this awards are nominated by other wedding/event professionals, peers and the public!

•     VENUE OF THE YEAR (hotels/Indoor)

• venue of the year (estates/outdoor) * added for 2024

  ·    Photography Company OF THE YEAR

  ·    VIDEO Company OF THE YEAR

  ·    WEDDING PLANNER OF THE YEAR

  ·    Disc Jockey OF THE YEAR

  ·    EMCEE OF THE YEAR

  ·    Floral designer OF THE YEAR

  ·    CATERER OF THE YEAR

  ·    mobile bar company of the year

  ·    CAKE DECORATOR OF THE YEAR

  ·    BRIDAL BOUTIQUE OF THE YEAR

  ·    MENSWEAR COMPANY OF THE YEAR

  ·    DESIGN COMPANY OF THE YEAR

• rENTAL COMPANY OF THE YEAR

  ·    HAIR AND MAKEUP COMPANY OF THE YEAR

  ·    STATIONARY COMPANY OF THE YEAR

  ·    PHOTO BOOTH COMPANY OF THE YEAR

  ·    Minister/OFFICIANT OF THE YEAR

  ·    MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT OF THE YEAR (Solo/Duo)

• music entertainment of the year (group) *Added for 2024

• Entertainment of the year *added for 2024

  ·    Transportation Company of the year

  ·    RISING STAR AWARD

  ·    COMPANY OF THE YEAR

  Voting: The public will be able to submit their vote for each of the categories. The top 5 nominees will be announced. Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala & Celebration.
  

Awards Categories (Judged)

(Eligible for the national awards, NACE One Awards)

The judges for the following categories are a group of selected NACE Chapter Board Members from other states.

ENTRY FEES

nace hawaii Members: FREE

General public Entry: $300

Event Photography of the Year

This award recognizes outstanding photography and the photographer’s artistic talents. Award nominations will be split into three subcategories:

• Wedding Photography

• Social Event (non-wedding) Photography

• Corporate Event Photography

Team Event of the Year

This award recognizes outstanding achievement in team effort to execute the event planning and production of a catered event by a group of caterers, event planners, facility venue managers, institutions, production companies, special event designers, décor providers, entertainment companies, and other vendors producing events such as parties, banquets, award ceremonies, festivals, sporting events, and expositions.

Event Production of the Year

This award recognizes outstanding achievement in the overall event planning and production of a catered event by on and off-premise caterers, event planners, facility venue managers, and institutions producing such events as parties, banquets, award ceremonies, fundraisers, festivals, sporting events, conventions and expositions, but excluding weddings.

Catered Event of the Year

This award recognizes outstanding planning and execution for on premise and off-premise events, excluding weddings (see Wedding of the Year award).

Table Presentation of the Year

This award recognizes outstanding design and décor for an event table, including but not limited to guest, buffet or conceptual tables. A conceptual table would be considered a “best of show” display piece where several elements of a table theme would be included to showcase all products; for example, those tables as seen at bridal shows and industry table-top competitions.

Award nominations will be split into two subcategories.  

• Budget <$200

• Budget >$200

Wedding of the Year

This award recognizes outstanding planning and execution for wedding events, including ceremony and reception.

Award nominations will be split into three categories:

• Budget <$50,000

• Budget $50,000-$100,000

• Budget >$100,000

For criteria of the categories or any questions, please email us at nacehawaii@gmail.com

Other Awards

Upcoming Deadlines:

The inaugural Hawai’i Ekahi Awards was held on Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 at the Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. About 120 industry professionals packed up the ballroom and were all glam’d up in this semi-formal evening. A Jazz Trio graced us with their fine tunes as we enjoyed a delectable dinner buffet by Aulani’s Executive Chef Patrick Calleric. This was a night to remember!

And the 2019 winners are:

• Hair & Makeup Company of the Year: Grace Nicole Glam

• Bridal Boutique of the Year: Casablanca Bridals & Formals

• Mobile Bar Company of the Year: Aloha on the Rocks

• Men’s Wear Company of the Year: Men’s Wearhouse

• Stationary Company of the Year: Hawaii Calligraphy

• Transportation of the Year: Platinum Limousines

• Minister/Officiant of the Year: James “Duke” Aiona

• Wedding Planner of the Year: A Perfect Day

• Photography Company of the Year: Aria Studios

• Videography Company of the Year: Liquid Therapy Media

Questions? Email us at nacehawaii@gmail.com