The NACE "Best Team Event of the Year" award recognizes outstanding achievement in the seamless team effort to execute the total event planning and production of a catered event by a group of on and off-premise caterers, event planners, facility venue managers, institutions,  (charitable, cultural and educational), production companies, special event designers, linen companies, florists, balloon artists, ice artists, entertainment companies, photographers, videographers and other members producing such events as parties, banquets, award ceremonies, fundraisers, festivals, sporting events, conventions and expositions while working together as a seamless team.

Award Category Definitions & Eligibility  Award Categories by Budget: less than $25,000, $25,000 - $75.000, more than $75,000

• Eligibility - A minimum of three professionals have to have worked together and participating in the award entry process.  At least one NACE member in good standing who catered the event qualifies the team as eligible.
• Members of the NACE National Board of Directors are not eligible
• NACE-sponsored or NACE-related events are not eligible.
• Each team member participant must complete and sign the "Best Team Event of the Year" participant form and remit their separate entry fee.  (In other words, if 4 people are submitting for this award, all four have to complete the form and each person must remit the $95 fee).

Section 1: Elements Statement (max. 10 points). Max. 500 word text only

• Summary of the catered event including theme, goals, objectives, and a list of the different types of businesses represented by the team. Entry will be judged on how well the event met the purpose, theme, goals and objectives of the client, and the different, unique or creative qualities the team brought together which elevated the event to this outstanding level.

Section 2: Event Planning & Venue (max. 25 points). Up to 5 pages, text only, one topic per page on:

• Overall event plan timeline and day of event timeline (2,000 word max.) - up to 5 points
• Budget and actual revenue and expense - what the client actually spent with each company entering, for the part of the event for which you were contracted, plus the dollar value of any donated in-kind goods or services (1 page) - up to 5 points
• Venue/Event Site - include location, description of venue, unusual/unique challenges presented by the site (1,000 word max.) - up to 5 points
• Décor Elements - describe how the theme was supported by floral décor, linens, props, balloons, printed materials, etc. (2,000 word max.) - up to 10 points

Section 3: Food & Beverage Presentation & Staffing (max. 15 points): Up to 4 pages total, text

• List Menu & explain how the menu coordinated with the event theme. Describe food and beverage in terms of color, texture, flavor, and presentation in support of theme (2,000 word max.)  - up to 5 points
• Describe the service design, food station design, and any staff costumes, interactive participation, or other unique features of the service element (3 pages including a layout drawing but photos must appear in Section 6) - up to 10 points

Section 4: Entertainment & Technical Support (20 points). Up to 3 pages total, text only

• Technical Elements - description of unique technical support elements and how special effects, tenting, lighting, or staging was used to support program theme (2,000 word max.)  - up to 10 points
• Entertainment Elements - description of unique aspects of entertainment, and whether it supported/relied on the special effects, lighting, staging and theme of the event (1,000 word max.) - up to 10 points

Section 5: Supporting Material (max. 10 points). Up to 10 photos and/or PDF files including:

• Photos and PDF files of food displays and/or tables, print materials, invitations, marketing materials, client-authored thank you letters, etc.

Section 6: Involvement (max. 20 points) Each member entering for this award must provide a 1 page synopsis of their contributions to the event, and how the team worked together - up to 5 points per member synopsis, not to exceed 20 points total