Canadian Special Events Star Awards Gala featuring Chantal Kreviazuk and Suzie McNeil

The 16th annual Star Awards Gala produced by Eclectic Events to close the Canadian Special Events Expo was a night that gave recognition to event planners who work so hard to create the fun events guests get to enjoy without a care in the world. Meanwhile it is well known behind the scenes that event planning is one of the most stressful jobs in the world. So it’s only fitting that special event planners get recognition for the magic that they create.

Great job by POP Kollaborative to present the special guest for the evening, Chantal Kreviazuk, who gave an intimate performance over the piano. The whole event was streamed live over the web by Eventstream.ca Other entertainment throughout the night included Mysterion the Mind Reader, Great Canadian Burlesque, Chaos Devine, deVah Quartet, Tyler Yarema and Suzie McNeil.

Carolyn Luscombe, Eclectic Events Intl

It was amazing to see how many of the special events we’ve covered in Toronto that were recognized at the Star Awards gala. In fact, BestofToronto.net has covered almost all the Star-Award winning special events in Toronto! It’s great to be part of the magic!

• Crystal Ball – Best Event Produced for a High Profile Charitable Organization – Reach for the Rainbow
• Steampunk – Yesterday’s Future – Best Event Produced by an Association, Board or Committee – Eclectic Events Intl
• Diner en Blanc Toronto – Best Media Event – The Mint Agency
• Book Lover’s Ball – Most Outstanding Event $100-$300K – Hala Events & Communications
• 100th Grey Cup Gala – Most Outstanding Event over $300K – POP Kollaborative Inc

Special thanks to Eclectic Events for supporting BestofToronto.net from the beginning and also producing incredible events such as this one: planning events that entertain other event professionals.

Julie Danaylov from A2D2, Entertainer of the Year

Pop Kollaborative

Here’s the full list of Star Award winners. Well deserved, everyone! Congrats!
Best Achievement in Technical Support

canfitpro, Toronto, ON
canfitpro International Fitness and Club Business Conference and Trade Show
Best Buffet Table Design

Embassy Grand Convention Centre, Brampton, ON
Stayin Alive Disco Gala
Best Conference

aNd Logistix Inc. Toronto, ON
Mortgage Forum 2012
Best Corporate Team Building Event

POP Kollaborative Inc. Calgary, AB & Toronto, ON
Tag You’re It
Best Cultural Event

Pride Toronto, Toronto, ON
Pride Week 2012
Best Entertainment Production

POP Kollaborative Inc. Calgary AB, Toronto, ON
MOMENTS – Scotiabank 100th Grey Cup Gala
Best Event Catering (it’s a TIE!)

Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth’s RE Le Traiteur, Montreal, QC
Bal du Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal

Presidential Gourmet Fine Catering, Toronto, ON
The Night that Never Ends 2012 Friends of Tiff Inaugural Gala
Best Event Produced by an Assoc, Board or Committee

Eclectic Events International, Inc, Toronto, ON AND ISES Toronto
Steampunk – Yesterday’s Future
Best Event Produced for a Charitable Organization (Community Based)

Cava Rose, Montreal, QC
Vintage Circus themed Valentine’s Day Ball
Best Event Produced for a High Profile Charitable Organization

Reach for the Rainbow, Toronto, ON
26th Annual Crystal Ball
Best Event Produced for a Corporation (by a 3rd party independent planner)

Mina Martini Inc., Montreal, Quebec
Le Bal en Black
Best Event Produced for a Corporation (by an in house team or planner)

WestJet Airlines, Calgary, AB
A Cirque-Tacular Christmas
Best Festival

brand.LIVE Group, Vancouver, BC
Honda Celebration of Light
Best Fund Raising Event (includes fundraising) (it’s a TIE!)

BC Cancer Foundation, Vancouver, BC
BC Cancer Foundation’s 2012 Inspiration Gala

Solutions with Impact, Toronto, ON
Rally for Kids with Cancer
Best Media Event

The Mint Agency, Toronto, ON
Diner en Blanc Toronto
Best Opening Event

Krista Slack + Aylett
Grand Opening of the National Urban Park in Downsview Park
Best Public Entertainment Event

John Donnelly & Associates and City of Surrey
Surrey Canada Day
Best Sporting Event

Solutions with Impact, Toronto, ON
Strike Out Cancer
Best Table Center

Social Butterfly Event Design, Toronto, ON
Christmas at Tiffany’s
Best Theme Decor Under $25,000 (it’s a TIE!)

Karma Design Studio, Toronto, ON
Phantom of the Opera

OneWest Events Inc. Calgary AB
A Night in Manhattan
Best Theme Decor $25,000-$40,000

The Display Connection Inc, Toronto, ON
Wharf at York
Best Theme Decor $40,000 -$75,000

Gaps Prop Shop / Spoilt Red Productions, Calgary, AB
YYC to NYC, Bright Nights, Big City
Best Theme Decor Over $75,000 to $100,000

Decor & More Inc, Oakville, ON
Daffodil Ball
Best Theme Decor Over $100,000

e=mc² events, Calgary, AB and Decor and More Inc. Oakville, ON
Black and White Christmas in the City
Best Trade Show

Ontario Hospital Association, Toronto, ON
HealthAchieve
Best Trade Show Booth or Pavilion

Black Chalk Marketing, Toronto, ON
“Hook Me Up” Tour
Best Wedding Over 75K

Lynn Fletcher Weddings Inc. Calgary AB
Bling Exponential
Best Wedding Under 75K

LAVISH Events Inc./ OneWest Events Inc. Calgary AB
Butler-Bott Wedding
Most Outstanding Logistical Achievement

e=mc² events Calgary AB
TIFF Inaugural Gala – The Night That Never Ends
Entertainer of the Year

A2D2 Inc Toronto ON
Most Outstanding Event Under $100K

5th Element Events Toronto ON
Canadian Hospitality Foundation’s Scholarship Dinner & Gala
Most Outstanding Event $100-300k

Hala Events & Communications Inc. Toronto ON
Book Lover’s Ball
Most Outstanding Event Over $300

POP Kollaborative Calgary AB, & Toronto ON
MOMENTS – Scotiabank 100th Grey Cup Gala
Event Professional of the Year

Lynn Fletcher – Lynn Fletcher Weddings

For more information visit http://canadianspecialevents.com

Suzie McNeil

Also be sure to check out our coverage of the opening night party for the CSE Expo Opening Night Party: “Unexpected”.

Photos below and also on Facebook here