14th Annual Minnesota Star Awards — An Undercover Affair

Date: April 14, 2018

Venue: Mystic Lake Casino

Director: Lisa Marie Borchert

For this spy-themed fete, Mystic Lake hosted the 14th Annual Minnesota Star Awards: An Undercover Affair.

2018 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)

Thank You to All of Our Generous Sponsors!

2018 Minnesota Star Awards Committee Members

Alissa Bemis Entertainment Chair: Décor /Entertainment 

Amy McMonigal Design + Decor

Carolyn Van Dorn Awards + Entries 

Carly Van Veldhuizen Design + Decor Chair 

Christie Altendorf MarComm Chair 

Cindy Walker Food & Beverage Chair

Dale Kivimaki AV/Production Chair

Gretchen Culver Finance

Jenna Anderson Administration

Jessica Barrett Sponsorship 

Jodi Collen Star Awards Ambassador/Awards + Entries 

Joe Szurszewski Website

Kallie Sersch

Kim Fischer Food & Beverage  Chair/ Venue Host/AV

Lataya Williams Volunteer Chair/Coordinator

Laura Preston Food & Beverage 

Lindsey Lozama Design + Decor

Lisa Marie Borchert Star Awards Director 

Sarah Johnson MarComm 

Sarah Ober Entertainment/production

Sheree Bochenek Design + Decor