Gala Award Nominees Named for 2009

Gala Award Nominees for 2009 Announced by Special Events Magazine Nov 12, 2009 2:48 PM The Special Events Advisory Board names the top event work from the past year.... More >

How to Enter the 2009 Competition

This year's competition is open to events that have taken place between Sept. 1, 2008, and Aug. 31, 2009. Events that place after Aug. 31 may be entered in next year's competition.

The Special Events Magazine Advisory Board revised some of the old rules for the competition. Highlights are:

• entries must be anonymous
• entries must include a budget and a timeline
• entries based primarily on donations (e.g., events at The Special Event) are no longer eligible

Also, the competition features a broader budget array in the "Decor" categories to include more-expensive decor installations. And, our terms have been made clearer to reflect the international reach of the competition. (For example, the "Best Fair/Festival" category is not a good fit for exhibits at "trade fairs"; these entries are now directed to the "Best Event Marketing" category.)

New this year: Make sure to put the name of the category you are entering and the name of your event on the cover of your binder!

HOW TO ENTER THIS YEAR'S GALA COMPETITION

1) Download this year's entry form

2009 Gala Awards Entry Form

2) Review the instructions carefully!

3) Use the Gala Budget template for all entries

2009 Gala Budget Template

4) Pay by check or credit card (form here)

Credit Card Payment Form

5) Questions? Click here to e-mail your question to us.

Tips On Winning A Gala Award

For some tried-and-true advice on creating a winning entry, see the following articles from the experts ....

FAQs for the 2009 Special Events Gala Awards Jun 23, 2009 5:10 PM, By Special Events Staff Do you want insider secrets on winning a Gala Award? Read all about it here. ...

Here's what Gala judges look for! May 30, 2003 12:00 PM Past Gala Awards judges reveal what it takes to take the event industry's top honor...

Gala Winners Named at The Special Event 2009 Feb 2, 2009 11:51 AM A crowd of nearly 700 guests on Friday night applauded the winners of this year's Gala Awards competition, the oldest and most prestigious in special events....