2014 Committee Members
Meet the individuals who make the NICE Awards a fantastic event.
Co-Chair
Katie Knox
The Field Museum
Special Events Account Manager
P: 312.665.7605
E: kknox@fieldmuseum.org
Co-Chair
Mary Biller
Chicago Botanic Garden
Private Events Sales Manager
P: 847.835.6960
E: mbiller@chicagobotanic.org
Co-Chair
Whitney Taylor
Drape Kings
Business Development Manager
P: 312.459.7738
E: whitney@drapekings.com
Décor
Kathleen Esterquest
Kehoe Designs
Director of Sales
P: 312.421.0030
E: kathleen@kehoedesigns.com
Décor
Margarita Heinzel
The Meetinghouse Companies, Inc.
VP Special Events
P: 630.941.0600 x209
E: mheinzel@meetinghouse.com
Décor
Sandy Sobczak
M&M Special Event Rental
Director of Outside Sales
P: 630.971.9999
E: ssobczak@mmspecialevents.com
Décor
Lanie Hartman
BBJ Linen
Senior Executive Sales Manager
P: 847.933.4635
E: lhartman@bbjlinen.com
Communications
Erica Buss
Tasty Catering
Account Executive
P: 847.593.2000
E: erica@tastycatering.com
Communications
Darren Fox
Idea Marketing Group
President
P: 312.834.7001
E: darren@ideamktg.com
Communications
Amy Current
Levitation Staging
Director of Sales & New Business Development
P: 312.560.1187
E: amy@levitationstaging.com
Communications
Nicole Zenner
LK Events
Wedding/Event Planner
P: --
E: nicole@lkeventschicago.com
Entertainment
Greg Werstler
ComedySportz
Director of Creative Sales, CFO
P: 773.549.8080
E: greg@comedysportzchicago.com
Entertainment
Tim Stolkey
Mike Staff Productions
General Manager
P: 224.300.7707
E: tim@mikestaff.com
Production
Leo Fitzgerald
Sound Investment
Account Executive
P: 312.733.6288
E :lfitzgerald
@soundinvestmentav.com
Entertainment
Dawn Walker
--
--
P: --
E: castleconnection@sbcglobal.net
Entertainment
Shaunta Johnson
Faith It Is Corporate Event Planning
Owner (CEO)
P: --
E: fiieplanning@gmail.com
Production
Brett Ihde
Magnificent Events
Director of Sales
P: 815.230.3770
E: brett@magevents.com
THE NICE AWARDS
The N.I.C.E. Awards were established to recognize Chicago area members of NACE (National Association for Catering and Events) 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.
Monday, April 7th, 2014
Winners will be announced at this year's N.I.C.E.
Awards at the Hotel Chicago in downtown Chicago!
2014 Event Sponsors
Please take a moment to visit our sponsors and learn more about their services. Check out the NICE Awards Sponsorship form for details. And, feel free to direct all questions directly to Whitney Taylor, whitney@drapekings.com or 312-459-7738
Web Support
Marketing &
Promotional
Venue
Event Technology & Social Media
Event Photography
Projection Mapping
Performance & Characters
Performance
Music
Emcee
AV
Drape
Linen
Decor
Decor
Decor
Furniture
Furniture
Dessert Catering
Decor
Decor
Dessert Catering
Production
Stage Manager
Program Print & Design
Promotion
2014 Winners
Best Corporate Event
Total Event Resources
Best Social Event
Christine Currie Events
Best Wedding
LK Events
Best Non-Profit or Fundraiser Event
Advocate Charitable Foundation
Best NICE Team Event
Catering by Michaels with KEHOE Designs
Best Green Event
Catering by Michael's
Best Fair or Festival
Magnificent Events
Best Catered Event, Off Premise
Catering by Michael's
Best Buffet Presentation
Catering by Michael's
Best Plated Presentation
Catering by Michael's
Best Musical Entertainment
Magnificent Events
Best Interactive Entertainment
The Actors Gymnasium
Best Use of Printed or Digital Collateral
Greenstar Paperie
Best Theme Décor for a Social Event
Christina Currie Events
Best Theme Décor for a Wedding
Oliveaire
Best Use of Tenting
Arena Americas
Best Logistical Achievement for an Event
Catering by Michael's
Best Use of Rental Equipment
Arena Americas
Industry Excellence Award
Nancy Brockway
ISES Rising Star Award
Michelle Castady
NACE Rising Star Award
Whitney Taylor
