The NICE Awards were established to recognize Chicago area members of NACE (National Association of Catering Executives) and ISES (International Special Events Society) for their accomplishments within the special events industry. The joint awards ceremony celebrates achievements in the areas of event planning, catering, entertainment, creative and support services.

1. NICE 2010
AWARDS ENTRY FORM
Event Planning Entertainment
Individual or firm who was hired to plan, coordinate and direct an Musical or Interactive. Originator must have planned and produced
event from concept to completion. Overall budget is comprised of all the entertainment.
elements of the event, whether billed directly to the client, or client • Best Entertainment Under $5,000
paid recommended vendor directly. • Best Entertainment $5,000 - 15,000
• Best Entertainment over $15,000
• Best Corporate Event under $25,000 Directly responsible for all entertainment elements which may
• Best Corporate Event $25,000 - 75,000 include staging, performers, technical support.
• Best Corporate Event over $75,000
Creative Services
• Best Social Event under $25,000 Individual or firm who planned or produced the creative service.
• Best Social Event $25,000 - 75,000
• Best Social Event over $75,000 • Most Creative Invitation
(Note: Weddings can only be entered under the Wedding Category.) Design, medium and delivery of an invitation setting tone of the event
and reflecting theme or concept by an invitation company.
• Best Wedding under $25,000
• Best Wedding $25,000 - 75,000 • Best Theme Décor under $20,000
• Best Wedding over $75,000 • Best Theme Décor $20,000 - 50,000
• Best Fund Raiser/Non-Profit Event under $25,000 • Best Theme Décor over $50,000
• Best Fund Raiser/Non-Profit Event $25,000 - 75,000 Production of themed décor to reflect the concept of the event’s
• Best Fund Raiser/Non-Profit Event over $75,000 creative use of props and equipment by a décor company. Originator
must have designed concept and coordinated the production.
• Best Picnic
• Best Floral Design
• Best Fair/Festival Best use of floral by a florist or floral division of a firm.
• Best NICE Team Event • Best Decorative Linens
Event planned as a team effort by at least one NACE member and Creative use of linen by a linen company.
one ISES member.
• Best Tabletop Design
• Rising ISES Star To include entire tabletop/table design not including food unless used
This award recognizes individuals who have been in ISES for a
as décor by individual or firm who designed the tabletop.
minimum of one (1) and a maximum of three (3) years who displays
impressive talent, and who is likely to have a significant impact on • Best “Green” Event
the industry in years to come. Production which included significant efforts to reduce environmental
impact.
Catering
Entered by individual or firm that was responsible for the preparation, Support Services
presentation and serving of food. Budget is inclusive of service or Originator must have planned, coordinated and produced the
staffing charge, but exclusive of sales tax and equipment rental. On
services.
Premise venues must be owned by the originator.
• Best Use of Lighting
• Best Catered Event On Premise under $10,000
Design and installation by a lighting or décor company.
• Best Catered Event On Premise $10,000 - 25,000
• Best Catered Event On Premise over $25,000 • Best Use of Tenting
• Best Catered Event Off Premise under $10,000 Design, production & unusual/exceptional installation
• Best Catered Event Off Premise $10,000 - 25,000 produced by a tent company.
• Best Catered Event Off Premise over $25,000
• Best Logistical Achievement For An Event
• Best Buffet or Plated Presentation Innovations to overcome obstacles in event set-up.
Using food elements that were part of the food service provided to
the client. • Best Use of Rental Equipment
• Most Creative Planned Menu Design and equipment used to enhance an event by a rental
Reflecting the theme or objective of the event. company.
• Rising NACE Star • Best Event Photographs
This award recognizes individuals who have been in NACE for a Use of technical and artistic skills to capture the essence of an event
minimum of one (1) and a maximum of three (3) years who displays by a photography studio.
impressive talent, and who is likely to have a significant impact on
the industry in years to come. Lifetime Achievement Award
The N.I.C.E. Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded by NACE and
ISES to an individual who has, during their professional career, made
creative contributions of outstanding significance to the catering and
special events industries in Chicago.

2. NICE 2010
AWARDS ENTRY FORM
1. Indicate which category you are entering
(see attached “Categories” for descriptions):
Event Planning IMPORTANT! See Rules for Entering for complete
Best Corporate Event under $25,000 information on presentation and submittal.
Best Corporate Event $25,000 - 75,000
Best Corporate Event over $75,000
Best Social Event under $25,000
2. Applicant Information:
Best Social Event $25,000 - 75,000
Name: ______________________________________________
Best Social Event over $75,000
Best Wedding under $25,000 Title: _______________________________________________
Best Wedding $25,000 - 75,000
Best Wedding over $75,000 Company: __________________________________________
Best Fund Raiser/Non-Profit Event under $25,000
Best Fund Raiser/Non-Profit Event $25,000 - 75,000 Company Type: _____________________________________
Best Fund Raiser/Non-Profit Event over $75,000
Address: ____________________________________________
Best Picnic
Best Fair/Festival City: _______________________________________________
Best NICE Team Event
Rising ISES Star (see page 3) State: ____________________ Zip: _________________
Catering
Best Catered Event On Premise under $10,000
Phone: _____________________________________________
Best Catered Event On Premise $10,000 - 25,000
Fax: _______________________________________________
Best Catered Event On Premise over $25,000
Best Catered Event Off Premise under $10,000 Email: ______________________________________________
Best Catered Event Off Premise $10,000 - 25,000
Best Catered Event Off Premise over $25,000 ** For NICE Team Event, complete a separate entry form for each
Best Buffet or Plated Presentation team member. Include $75.00 payment per entrant.
Most Creative Planned Menu
Rising NACE Star (see page 3)
Client Information (This person may be called to verify entry if
referral letter is not included):
Entertainment (Musical or Interactive)
Best Entertainment under $5,000 Client Company: ____________________________________
Best Entertainment $5,000 - 15,000
Best Entertainment over $15,000 Client Contact: ______________________________________
Creative Services Client Phone: ________________________________________
Most Creative Invitation
Best Theme Décor under $20,000 Event Date: _________________________________________
Best Theme Décor $20,000 - 50,000
Best Theme Décor over $50,000
Best Floral Design Each entry fee is $75.00.
Best Decorative Linens
Best Tabletop Design
Entires must be postmarked by March 1, 2010.
Best “Green” Event
Mail Entry and Entry Form with payment to:
Support Services
Best Use of Lighting Barb Harris
Best Use of Tenting Chicago Travel Consultants, Inc. (CTC)
Best Logistical Achievement for an Event 2000 N. Racine Avenue, Suite 3800
Best Use of Rental Equipment Chicago, IL 60614
Best Use of Event Photography
Lifetime Achievement Award
Make checks payable to ISES.
⃞ Individual (see page 3)

3. NICE 2010
AWARDS ENTRY FORM
*Individual Awards Only*
The ISES Rising Star Award recognizes an individual who has been in ISES for a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of
three (3) years.
The ISES Rising Star submission will require a description of no more than 500 words to include the following information:
• Include a career description
• Describe a contribution to ISES, and/or our industry, and your involvement in a program that occurred between
November 1, 2008 and November 30, 2009.
• Indicate your career goals.
• List any awards and achievements.
Include with your entry:
• A photograph of the nominee for publicity purposes.
• One 100-word Publicity Description: This 100-word description should include the entrant’s and their company’s
name. It will be used for publicity purposes such as publication about the entry, the award event program, the
reading of the finalists, and NICE media/press releases.
The NACE Rising Star Award recognizes an individual who has been in NACE for a minimum of one (1) and a maximum
of three (3) years.
The NACE Rising Star submission will require a description of no more than 500 words to include the following
information:
• Include a career description
• Describe a contribution to NACE, and/or our industry, and your involvement in a program that occurred between
November 1, 2008 and November 30, 2009.
• Indicate your career goals.
• List any awards and achievements.
Include with your entry:
• A photograph of the nominee for publicity purposes.
• One 100-word Publicity Description: This 100-word description should include the entrant’s and their company’s
name. It will be used for publicity purposes such as publication about the entry, the award event program, the
reading of the finalists, and NICE media/press releases.
The N.I.C.E. Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who have given their time, dedication, leadership,
and knowledge towards the advancement of the special events industries.
The N.I.C.E. Lifetime Achievement Award submission will require a description of no more than 500 words to include the
following information:
• Include a career description.
• Describe a contribution to N.I.C.E., and/or our industry, and your involvement in a program that occurred between
November 1, 2008 and November 30, 2009.
• Indicate future career goals.
• List any awards and achievements.
Include with your entry:
• A photograph of the nominee for publicity purposes.
• One 100-word Publicity Description: This 100-word description should include the entrant’s and their company’s
name. It will be used for publicity purposes such as publication about the entry, the award event program, the
reading of the finalists, and NICE media/press releases.

4. 2010 NICE Awards Rules for Entering
PRESENTATION and SUBMITTAL:
Each entry must be submitted in its own individual plain 3-ring binder. Entries must be submitted only by originators. If
one event is entered in several categories, a complete and separate binder must be submitted for each category. This
includes entry information, entry fee, description and photos.
Included with your entry should be your name, company name, address/phone number, client and category entered along
with any ISES/NACE team member or participants involved in your event.
Your company name or logo MUST NOT APPEAR anywhere in the entry except on the entry form. Eligible entries will be
given an ID number that will serve as a reference for judging.
Finalists must be a current Chicago chapter NACE and/or ISES member.
Event must have occurred between November 1, 2008 and November 30, 2009
Entries must be postmarked by March 1, 2010.
The number of finalists per category will not exceed 3. Judges’ decisions are final.
Finalists in each category will be notified via fax, phone, and/or E-mail by March 29, 2010. Winners will be announced at
the NICE Awards Event. Transportation and tickets to the ceremony are the responsibility of the finalist(s).
EACH ENTRY MUST INCLUDE:
1200 word or less description of the event and its objectives. List all elements of the event (i.e., production,
description of your responsibility with the event, design, catering, décor, site, entertainment, etc.)
What were the objectives and how were they met?
Was the event/product or service original and creative?
Was the event/product or service integrated into the overall event?
Describe the execution of the event.
100 Word synopsis which may be used as a description at the NICE Awards if you are a finalist.
An electronic copy of 1 photo to be used if you are a finalist. Picture can be submitted on a CD or jump drive.
A minimum of 2 and maximum of 15 original photographs. Photos should range in size from 5”x7” to 8” x 10.” For entries
in the Entertainment category, supplemental video tapes/DVDs (not exceeding 5 minutes) are acceptable.
Collateral material (i.e., invitations, menus, novelty items, program book, timelines, flow charts, client referral
letter, etc.) All client information will be kept confidential.
Budget breakdown based on the retail value (the amount the client was charged).
A non-refundable $75 fee must accompany each entry. If you are submitting multiple entries, a single check for
the entire amount is acceptable. NICE Team Event entry requires $75 fee per entrant.
Entries need to be typed in 12 pt. Arial font.
Please make checks payable to ISES.
JUDGING:
Judges will be members of another Chapter of ISES and/or NACE. Entries will be judged on:
How well the event met its objectives.
Originality and creativity of the event, product or services.
Integration of elements in the event.
Execution of the event.
Inclusion of support collateral materials.
The quality of the event, attention to detail and concept.
Any challenges that were presented and overcome.
Send entries to:
Barb Harris
Chicago Travel Consultants, Inc. (CTC)
2000 N. Racine Avenue, Suite 3800
Chicago, IL 60614
Entries will not be returned.
NICE Awards Committee reserves the right to re-categorize entries if incorrectly classified
Refer questions to Sandra Sobczak 708-485-8581 or Lanie Hartman, 847-329-8400.