Live events are back, baby! And we marked the occasion (safely) in Miami with hundreds of our catering industry family members at the hybrid Catersource + The Special Event conference 2021! The magical event was hosted at the Miami Beach Convention Center and live streamed to even more caterers who logged in virtually. It was an event filled with long-awaited hugs, memorable celebrations, new connections and pioneering catering inspiration to make an #eventstrong comeback this upcoming year.
Here's what you missed....
Congrats to the ICA CATIE Award Winners
One of our favorite parts of Catersource + The Special Event each year is announcing the CATIE Award winners. The spirit of the Catered Arts Through Innovative Excellence (CATIE) Awards are designed to recognize the magnificent achievements of exemplary event productions and catering. Selecting award winners this year was exceptionally difficult. Every caterer, including these innovative award winners, had to work harder than ever during a year no one could have expected. So, we celebrated everyone this year, with extra kudos to the creativity exemplified by these inventive winners.
Best at Home Celebration
"Go Small or Go Home" by Vicky Crease Catering + Events
Best Catered Wedding
"The Great Glamping Getaway" by Catering by Design (CO)
Best Catered Event
"This Is How We Do It: A ‘90s-Inspired Chef's Table" by 24 Carrots
Best Catering for a Micro Event
"Surprise Us Wedding Celebration" by Footers Catering
Best Catering for a Virtual Event
NF Forward Benefit Gala VIII by Forte Belanger
Best Dessert
"Bourbon Butter Smash" by Catering by Michaels
Best Social Distancing Innovation or Solution
"Prepped" by Constellation Culinary Group
Stand-Out ICA-Sponsored Education Featured Sessions
Over the span of the event, attendees enjoyed nearly 200 educational sessions, some of which the ICA was honored to sponsor. Catering leaders involved in the ICA spoke about how to rebuild stronger, ways to spark creativity to thrive in this new era of events, tips and tricks for smart selling and ultimately inspired a strong comeback for the events industry.
These were a few that made a big splash:
Rebuilding a Sales Team, Strategies for Building Strong Teams in Times of Transition
- Moderator: Jennifer Perna (Fulton Market Consulting)
- Speakers: Margaret Brower (Bonura Hospitality Group); Katie Gamble Fleury (Ridgewells Catering); Heidi Brice (Puff n Stuff)
Love is Not Cancelled ~ Wedding Trends to Fall in Love With
- Speakers: Robin Selden (Marcia Selden Catering), Jeffrey Selden (Marcia Selden Catering)
Trendsetting Food Stations in Our New Normal
- Speaker: Syd Sexton (Catering by Design)
Smart Selling - The Six Daily Tasks That Create High Performance Sales
- Speaker: Renee Miner (Empyrean Events and Catering)
Some presentation files can be downloaded from the session page if you want to soak up some of the tips, tricks and strategies shared!
Save the Date & Be a Speaker at Catersource + The Special Event 2022
Missed this year? Now is the time to save the date for Catersource + The Special Event 2022. The event will be hosted from May 2-5 in Anaheim, CA at the Anaheim Convention Center! Our call for speakers is now open, too. If you’d like to be part of our all-star speaker lineup, sharing your expertise and creativity with like-minded caterers from across the globe, submit your presentation idea(s)! Submissions are open until September 30, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. CST. Let’s gear up for another epic conference together!
It feels good to be back—don't you agree?
