top of page

MN STAR AWARDS

339081468_1291755608220697_5430094095129529233_n.jpg


Beyond the Awards

The International Live Events Association (ILEA) – Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter established the Minnesota Star Awards in 2005 to celebrate the creativity, passion, and innovation of professionals in the special events industry.

​

More than just an awards ceremony, the MN Star Awards is a testament to the talent, dedication, and collaborative spirit that define our community. It recognizes the outstanding work that goes into creating, planning, managing, and executing events across the region and beyond.

ILEA #3.jpg

  • The MN Star Awards is open to anyone who has produced events (or components of events) within the region represented by the ILEA Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter, or to professionals who work in this region but produce events elsewhere.

    ​

    ILEA membership is not required for most categories.

  • By entering the ILEA Minnesota Star Awards, you are able to demonstrate the caliber of work that you and your company are doing! This is your opportunity to show people what you can do and what makes you stand apart from your competition.

  • The judging process is conducted by ILEA event professionals from chapters worldwide to ensure fairness and impartiality.

    ​

    1. Initial Review: All entries are first reviewed by an auditor to ensure compliance with submission rules.

    2. Anonymous Judging: Qualifying entries are sent to another ILEA chapter for evaluation, with all identifying details removed to maintain fairness.

    3. Final Results: Judges submit their scores to the auditor, who provides the winning results directly to the awards production team.


    Note: No mention of names or company names of the submitting company(ies) are allowed anywhere in the entry 

  • The Director of the Minnesota Star Awards leads a team of dedicated volunteers who collaborate with industry sponsors and professionals throughout the Twin Cities. Together, they create an immersive and inspiring event that honors excellence in the events industry.

  • Become a Sponsor

    This event wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Sponsoring the MN Star Awards is an incredible opportunity to showcase your brand in front of the Twin Cities' top event professionals and industry leaders.

    Volunteer

    The MN Star Awards is entirely volunteer-driven—from the Director to committee members to the behind-the-scenes teams who bring this event to life. Get involved and be part of the magic that makes this celebration unforgettable!

  • Cool, we'd love to hear from you. Feel free to email us at info@ilea-msp.org

Year
Milestone
Director
Location
Theme
2005
1st
Jodi Collen
Blaisdell Manor
The Stars are Aligning
2006
2nd
Sheree Bochenek and Jean Peine
The Loft at Barfly
Club ISES
2007
3rd
Nancy Jacobs
Minneapolis Central Library
Elements
2008
4th
Jodi Collen
The Great Hall, St. Paul
al.lu.sion-An Evening of Timeless Decadence
2009
5th
Matthew Trettel and Ryan Hanson
Minneapolis Children's Theatre
Surerality: Behind Closed Eyes
2010
6th
Pete Nelson
Hyatt Hotel Minneapois
Ritmo Caliente
2011
7th
Leslie Larson
Roy Wilkins Auditorium
Rock the Roy
2012
8th
Amy Dalton
Nicollet Island Pavillion
Bootlegger's Ball
2013
9th
Elly Carlson
Heroic Productions
Steampunk
2014
10th
Susan Diamond
Orchestra Hall
Celebrating 10 Years
2015
11th
Gretchen Culver
Aria
Storytellers Ball
2016
12th
Jim Leighton and Craig Oliver
Metropolitan Ballroom
Studio ISES
2017
13th
Jessica Barrett
Machine Shop
Unluckiest Bash
2018
14th
Lisa Marie Borchert
Mystic Lake Casino
Undercover Affair
2019
15th
Jason Brown-Hoesing
The Depot, Minneapolis
Ides of March
2020
16th
Rachel Geertsema
Virtual
Cosmic Fantasy
2021
17th
Amy Fuerstenberg
Quincy Hall
A Divine Comedy
2022
18th
Kastina Morrison
The Whim
From the Ashes
2023
19th
Ashley Skeie
Urban Daisy
Waves in Motion
2024
20th
Lauren Bohm and Christie Altendorf
McNamara Alumni Center
The Twentieth
2025
21st
Ariel Gutierrez
Four Seasons Minneapolis
Area 21
bottom of page