20th Annual Minnesota Star Awards — The Twentieth

Feb 10

Updated: 3 hours ago

Friday, March 29, 2024 | McNamara Alumni Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Directors: Christie Altendorf, D'Amico Catering and Lauren Bohm, Machine Shop

For the 20th Annual Minnesota Star Awards, we're took it back to school at McNamara Alumni Center where we transformed the venue into a nostalgic academia wonderland designed by the best event pros around. There was a homecoming dance, cheerleaders, a pep rally complete with a marching band, the introduction of Starry the official ILEA-MSP mascot, and even a principal's office for those who misbehaved.

2024 Winners

CATERING

Best Catered Event under $30,000 - Circus Juventas | Julie Teran, CRAVE Catering Best Catered Event over $30,000 - C-Suite Glamping Retreat | Rachel Bruzek, D’Amico Catering

Best Menu or Beverage Innovation - C-Suite Glamping Retreat | Rachel Bruzek, D’Amico Catering

Best Dessert Moment - Wedding of Jordan + Brody | Leah Backstrom, Ink Sweets

EVENT DESIGN & DECOR

Best Design & Decor Budget under $30,000 - BRADYADE - A Sports Themed Bar Mitzvah | Michaella Holden, Lucent Blue Events + Design

Best Design & Decor Budget over $30,000 - Children’s Theatre Company - Curtain Call Ball | Ryan Hanson, BeEvents

CREATIVE SERVICES

Best Graphic Design Collateral - B&M’s Wedding | Jill Elaine, Jill Elaine Designs

Best Event Photography - Non-Wedding - Fancy a Ship Down the Rub? (Care for a Pint at the Pub?) The Pinnacle Council Conquers London | Joe Szurszewski, Joe Szurszewski Photography

Best Event Photography - Wedding - Winter Wonderland 3.5 years In The Making | Andrew Vick, Vick Photography

SUPPORT SERVICES

Best Logistics - Tree Top Trail Opening Weekend | Hannah Hegman, Do Good Events and Maddy Mowery, Minnesota Zoo Foundation

Best Use of Audio Visual - Children’s Cancer Research Fund’s DREAM Gala 2023 | McKenna LaFave and Kitty Hart, Heroic Productions

Best Entertainment Production - 24K Gold New Year’s Extravaganza | Justen Pohl, Enticing Entertainment

EVENT PLANNING

Best Corporate - C-Suite Glamping Retreat | Rachel Bruzek, D’Amico Catering and Todd Pinzuti, Bungalow Six

Best Non-Profit - WineFest No.26 - A Toast to Children’s Health|Kalsey Beach, Do Good Events

Best Public - Party Like It’s 1999 Opening Reception | Erica Bergum, CMP, Meet Minneapolis; Nick Peter, CSEP, Orchestra Hall; Samantha Groves, Event Lab; Patrick Fitzgerald, D’Amico Catering; and Lucie Ashe, Do Good Events

Best Wedding - Grace & GT’s Wedding | Jenna Culley, Jenna Culley Events & Linen Effects

GENERAL

Best Sustainability Effort - Save the Boundary Waters Annual Gala | Michaella Holden, Lucent Blue Events + Design

Best ILEA Team Effort - Party Like It’s 1999 Opening Reception|Erica Bergum, CMP, Meet Minneapolis; Nick Peter, CSEP, Orchestra Hall; Samantha Groves, Event Lab; D’Amico Catering; and Lucie Ashe, Do Good Events

Legacy Award: Jodi Collen, CSEP

Partner of the Year: Mark Fierst Photography

Volunteer of the Year: Jenna Anderson, Chowgirls Catering

Thank You to All of Our Generous Sponsors in 2024!

The Minnesota Star Awards is entirely supported by a massive amount of extremely generous sponsors. Rental companies, caterers, florists, entertainers, and many more vendors came together as one and worked together to be part of this cohesive celebration. In 2024, we had 55 local companies on board to collaborate on the Star Awards. We wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of them for their generosity as they allocated extensive time and resources to make this party one for the books.