The International Live Event Association (ILEA)’s annual ILEA Live conference, held Aug. 16-18 in Denver, Colo., brought together 505 creative event professionals from around the globe for two and a half days of educational content and networking.

“The event continues to be a rich setting for live event professionals to exchange ideas about managing their event business, build relationships and learn from education sessions addressing relevant industry trends and the business of creativity,” said Sara Grauf, CSEP, ILEA International president.

During a special evening gala event held on Aug. 17 at Wings Over the Rockies, ILEA distributed its 2018 Esprit® Awards. The Esprit Awards honor exceptional creative event professionals and organizations across the ILEA membership for innovation and professional achievements.

2018 ILEA Esprit Award Recipients

Best Catered Event

Venkataraman Indian Wedding Celebration

Erin Greene, Two Caterers

Best Culinary Innovation

The Kitchen Community – Living Salad

Ingrid Nagy, CSEP, Catering by Design

Best Event Filmmaking (Videography)

Dawn & Steve's Rustic Mountain Wedding

Chris Orwat, Pure Cinematography

Best Event Photography

Triangle Wine: A Food and Wine Experience

Kate Pope, Kate Pope Photography

Best Print Marketing/Design Collateral

Pure Imagination

Laney Hall, Platypus Papers

Best Industry Contribution

The Real "UnReal" Wedding

Dona Liston, Lambermont Events

Best Industry Innovation

Raining Cats and Dogs

Rocky & Terry Toomey, Future Affairs Productions

Best Event Logistics and Support Services

San Francisco Giant Race and Health and Wellness Expo

Giants Enterprises

Best Event Solution

MAPFRE China

Lenny Talarico, CSEP, MGM Resorts Event Productions

Best Technical Production

Raining Cats and Dogs

Terry & Rocky Toomey, Future Affairs Productions

Best Event Design/Décor (Under $25,000 USD)

The Food You Bake is Equal to the Love You Make

Kevin Molesworth, CSEP, Brass Tacks Events

Marcela Bogado Dhar, TMFA, Malleret Designs

Best Event Design/Décor ($25,000- $75,000 USD)

A Christmas Carol Celebration

Sharon Bonner, Bright Ideas Events

Best Event Design/Décor (Over $75,000 USD)

MAPFRE China

Lenny Talarico, CSEP, MGM Resorts Event Productions

Best Entertainment Production (Under $25,000 USD)

Illuminated

Justen Pohl, Enticing Entertainment

Best Entertainment Production ($25,000 - $75,000 USD)

Give Kids the World Gala - A Night of Dreams

Cameron Rust, Hello! Destination Management

Janice Dowling, Hello! Destination Management

Best Entertainment Production (Over $75,000 USD)

Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown Grand Opening

David Merrell, AOO Events

Best Corporate Event (Under $75,000 USD)

Race Against the Clock: A Secret IPO Celebration

Jason Sick, CMP, Red Velvet Events, a Global DMC Partner

Best Corporate Event ($75,000 - $150,000 USD)

A Christmas Carol Celebration

Sharon Bonner, Bright Ideas Events

Best Corporate Event (Over $150,000 USD)

A Night at Star Hill Ranch

Lauran Grimes, Red Velvet Events, a Global DMC Partner

Best Event for a Non-Profit Organization (Under $75,000 USD)

Celebrate: A Festive Evening Toasting 25 Years of Saving Lives

Deborah Hermann, GhostLight Productions, LLC

Best Event for a Non-Profit Organization ($75,000 - $150,000 USD)

Hearts Out 2017

Jessica Tkachuk, Boom Goes The Drum Inc.

Best Event for a Non-Profit Organization (Over $150,000 USD)

Beauty Changes Lives

Kathy Miller, Total Event Resources

Best Event with a Legacy

Give Kids the World Gala - A Night of Dreams

Cameron Rust, Hello! Destination Management

Best Public Event

UNVEILED - The Ultimate Wedding Planning Event

The Wedding Guys

Best Social Event (non-wedding) (Under $25,000 USD)

Great Gatsby Surprise 60th Birthday

Erin Bjorkstedt, Eventful Planning

Best Social Event (non-wedding) ($25,000 - $75,000 USD)

The Last Dance

Kevin Molesworth, CSEP, Brass Tacks Events

Best Social Event (non-wedding) (Over $75,000 USD)

50th Birthday Celebration

Cassie Brown, CSEP, TCG Events

Best Wedding (Under $75,000)

Capturing Romance in Lake Louise

Amy Nelson, Lynn Fletcher Weddings

Best Wedding ($75,000 - $150,000 USD)

Boho Meets Soho

Kristin Banta, Kristin Banta Events

Best Wedding (Over $150,000)

MY HOME

Lynn Fletcher, Lynn Fletcher Weddings

Best Meeting/Conference Program

A Masterful Reward in Music City

Marie Mitchell, Maple Ridge Events

Best ILEA Team Effort (Under $75,000 USD)

The Food You Bake is Equal to the Love You Make

• Kevin Molesworth, CSEP, Brass Tacks Events
• Marcela Bogado Dhar, TMFA, Malleret Designs
• Delores Crum, CERP, Premiere Events
• Shannon Ferguson, The Inviting Pear
• Lisa Hause, Lisa Hause Photography

Best ILEA Team Effort (Over $150,000 USD)

Home Sweet Home

• Gretchen Culver, Rocket Science Events
• Elizabeth Partyka, Avant Décor
• Josh Reitan, AV For You
• Carly Van Veldhuizen, Girl Friday
• Michelle Smith, Rudy's Event Rental

Best ILEA Volunteer Collaboration

Through the Wardrobe: The Vancouver Event Industry Holiday Party

• Corinne Kessel, CSEP, Greenscape Design & Decor
• Alex Bickers, Elizabeth Stanley Event Design
• Mark Happeney, ShowKraft Production Services Limited
• Rob Porter, Elizabeth Stanley Event Design
• Gemma Scott, Go2 Productions
• Todd Skinner, Production Canada
• Anthony Vade, FMAV
• Steve Matthews, Innovation Lighting
• Jennifer Winter, Rebelux Creative