2018 Minnesota Star Awards Winners
Best Catered Event – “Derek & Ryan’s Big Day” – Christie Altendorf (D’Amico Catering) & Jessica Barrett (Machine Shop)
Best Culinary Innovation or Solution – “Timeless Taste” – Cindy Walker (Mintahoe Catering & Events)
Best Event Design & Decor Budget under $25,000 – “Around the World Gala” – Pete Nelson (Event Lab)
Best Event Design & Decor Budget $25,000 and over – “UNVEILED – the Ultimate Wedding Planning Event” – The Wedding Guys
Best Use of Specialty Decor – “Hamptons Bat Mitzah” – Gretchen Berry (Gretchen Berry Design Co) and Monique Berg (BIG INK)
Best Use of Marketing/Design Collateral – “A User Conference Evolution” – Liam McMonagle (Type A Events)
Best Event Photography – Wedding – “Theresa & Adam’s Hometown Wedding” – Jeannine Marie Photography
Best Event Photography – Non-Wedding – “Peak Performers Conference” – Joe Szurszewski Photography
Best Event Filmmaking (Videography) – “Freak Show” – Justen Pohl (Enticing Entertainment)
Best Event Logistics – Non-Tent – “In the Groove” – Kathy Bakeberg (Festivities)
Best Event Logistics – Tent or Temporary Structure – “A Tent Performs Double Duty” – Andrea Bach (Apres Event Décor & Tent Rental)
Best Technical Production – “Minnesota Sports Awards” – metroConnection
Best Entertainment Production – “In the Groove” – Kathy Bakeberg (Festivities)
Best Event Planning – Corporate – “Essentia Health – Illuminated” – Justen Pohl (Enticing Entertainment), Cassie McIvor (Essentia Health) and Teddi Sellick (Event Lab)
Best Event Planning – Non-Profit – “Dawn of a Dream” – Children’s Cancer Research Fund
Best Event Planning – Public – “Unveiled – The Ultimate Wedding Planning Event” – The Wedding Guys
Best Event Planning – Social (non-wedding) – “Freak Show” – Justen Pohl (Enticing Entertainment)
Best Event Planning – Wedding Budget $75,000 and over – “Home Sweet Home” – Gretchen Culver (Rocket Science Events), (Cadence & Eli Photography), and (Crave Catering)
Best ILEA Team Effort – “Home Sweet Home” – Gretchen Culver (Rocket Science Events), Elizabeth Partyka (Avant Décor), Josh Reitan (AV For You), Michelle Smith (Rudy’s Event Rentals), Carly Van Veldhuizen (Girl Friday), Collective effort (Apres Event Décor & Tent Rental)