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Friday, March 21st, 2025 | Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis
Director: Ariel Gutierrez, mpls Downtown Council
The 2025 ILEA-MSP Minnesota Star Awards, aptly named "AREA 21", was the most out-of-this-world celebration in the galaxy. We grooved under supernova skies, celebrated stellar achievements, and partied harder than any terrestrial being.
Inspired by the mysteries of Area 51 with a futuristic twist for the 21st year, the event’s theme, AREA 21, infused desert chic with cosmic rave vibes and interstellar glam.
As event industry earthlings arrived, it was apparent that fashion was top of mind and everyone understood the assignment straight from the Pinterest board. Nominees celebrated their achievements in the desert-inspired social hour while noshing on intergalactic bites complete with edible bugs. Yes — bugs!
Anna Grinets Photography, Loui Photography
Soon, an alien abduction occurred transporting guests from the desert into the spacey awards ceremony. But it had them wondering, was it the THC bar or were those really aliens? We'll never tell. Winners across 22 categories were honored in each of their respective fields from Best Non-Profit Event to Best AV Production and beyond.
Mark Fierst Photography, Anna Grinets Photography, Loui Photography
Then, it was off to the "Land of Delulu" where holographic orbs amassed the space and a larger-than-life laser LED robot showed up! Some of us went straight to the Mars-tini bar while others hit the light-up dance floor to start the rave off right.
Loui Photography
Oh, you thought there was just one after party? Not on Planet ILEA. Space cadets worked quickly to flip the awards space into our very own Cosmic Coachella. One might say it was faster than the speed of light!
An epic kabuki drop revealed interstellar entertainers and even more beats to dance to. What else? Oh, just some alien guts out of an Alien Autopsy Station. Casual.
Coppersmith Photography, Mark Fierst Photography
2025 Winners
Congratulations to all of this year's winners! Learn more about these events and all of the nominees here.
Best Catered Event Under $30K - Griswold Family Christmas Party | CRAVE Catering
Best Catered Event Over $30K - A Golden Hour Gathering | Christie Altendorf, D'Amico Hospitality
Best Menu or Beverage Innovation - The 11th Hour | Eleni Beloy, Chowgirls Catering
Best Dessert Moment - Art & Architecture Inspired Cake Design | Leah Backstrom, Ink Sweets
Best Design & Decor Under $30K - Married on a Monday | Ashley Cook and Julia Jakubiak, Ashley Skeie Events
Best Design & Decor Over $30K - Paige & Johnnie’s Swanky Jazz Age Club Wedding | Rachelle Mazumdar, Style-Architects Weddings
Best Use of Speciality Decor or Installations - With This Weed, I Thee Wed | Kastina Morrison, Kastina & Co and Ashley Rugel, Emily Dicks, and Jessica Goodpaster, Style Society
Best Use of Floral - Francesca & Lancelot's Wedding | Christi Poppler, Studio C Floral
Best Event Photography - Friends, Family and the Hall of Fame in Frame | Joe Szurszewski, Joe Szurszewski Photography LLC
Best Wedding Photography - Kelsey & Sal's Wedding | Athena (Feldshon) Hays, Empiria Studios
Best Logistics - Hockey Day Minnesota 2024 | Colin Ericson, Ultimate Events
Best AV Production - The Wonderful Company | Dan Schlueter, AV For You
Best Entertainment Production - Rio Carnival | Enticing Entertainment
Event Planning: Best Corporate - LeCreuset New Color Launch | MAVEN
Event Planning: Best Non-Profit - MAN DOWN: The Green Edition | Gayle Smaller Jr., The MAN DOWN Project
Event Planning: Best Social, Non-Wedding - Smokey Mountains Birthday | MAVEN
Event Planning: Best Wedding - Andrea & John’s Bold Reception & Babylon After-Party | Rachelle Mazumdar, Style-Architects Weddings
Event Planning: Best Public - NFT-MSP Culture Convergence 2024 | Jessica Barrett, Bigger Picture Solutions
Best Industry Innovation: With This Weed, I Thee Wed | Kastina Morrison, Kastina & Co and Ashley Rugel, Emily Dicks, and Jessica Goodpaster, Style Society
Best Sustainability Effort - Cultivate: A Sustainable Event and Wedding Showcase | Luum Collective
Best ILEA Team Effort - Be Our Guest
Gretchen Culver, Rocket Science Events;
Katiee Wandmacher, Apres Event Decor & Tent Rental;
Sarah Johnson, Machine Shop;
Christie Altendorf, D'Amico Hospitality;
Josh Reitan, AV For You;
Jenna Culley, Linen Effects
2025 Legacy Award Recipient: Ryan Hanson, CSEP, BeEvents
Partner of the Year: Event Life TV
Volunteer of the Year: Nick Peter, CSEP, Orchestra Hall
Thank You to All of Our Generous Sponsors!
2025 Minnesota Star Awards Committee Members
