Get ready for 2025!

Are you the ONE (‘Ekahi)?

NACE Hawaii is proud to present the 3rd Hawai‘i ‘Ekahi Awards, an extraordinary gala dedicated to honoring the exceptional achievements of wedding and event professionals across all industry categories over the past year. This prestigious event is more than just an awards ceremony—it’s a night of networking, celebration, and connection, bringing together talented professionals to foster a spirit of community over competition.

As a creative and resourceful professional, you’ve poured your passion into crafting unforgettable experiences for your clients. Now, it’s time for you to be recognized. This is your moment to shine, to stand out among your peers, and to be celebrated as one of the best in the industry. You deserve it!

Choice Awards Categories (Voted by the public)

Businesses are nominated and celebrated by fellow wedding and event professionals, industry peers, and the public, making these awards a true reflection of community recognition and excellence. Categories honor outstanding achievements across various specialties, including Venue of the Year, Photographer of the Year, and Caterer of the Year, along with distinctive accolades such as Company of the Year, the Rising Star Award, and more.

Best of all, there is no entry fee—nominees are selected solely based on merit, as recognized by those who know the industry best. This ensures that every nomination is a genuine acknowledgment of talent, dedication, and impact in the wedding, events, catering, and hospitality industries!

Venues

• Indoor Venue of the Year

• Outdoor Venue of the Year

Media & Production

• Photography Company of the Year

• Videography Company of the Year

• Wedding Content Creator of the Year

Planning & Coordination

• Wedding Planner of the Year

• Corporate Event Planner of the Year

Entertainment

• DJ of the Year

• Emcee of the Year

• Solo/Duo Live Performer of the Year

• Group Performance Act of the Year

• Entertainment Service of the Year

Design & Decor

• Floral Design Company of the Year

• Event Design Company of the Year

• Rental Company of the Year

Culinary & Beverage

• Catering Company of the Year

• Mobile Bar Service of the Year

• Cake Bakery of the Year

Fashion & Beauty

• Bridal Boutique of the Year

• Hair & Makeup Company of the Year

Guest Experience

• Photo Booth Company of the Year

• Officiant of the Year

• Transportation Service of the Year

Special Recognition

• Rising Star Award

• Company of the Year

Voting Process: The public will have the opportunity to cast their votes for each award category, helping to recognize the most outstanding professionals in the industry. Once voting concludes, the top five nominees in each category will be officially announced. The excitement culminates at the Awards Gala & Celebration, where the winners will be revealed and honored in a night of recognition and 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:

Questions? Email us at nacehawaii@gmail.com