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2026 Event Service Professional of the Year Award Nominations

Shine a Spotlight on the Heroes Behind Your Event

Every great event has a force working behind the scenes to help you: the event service professionals at hotels, special venues, convention centers, and CVBs. They are the ones who connect you to the right resources, anticipate challenges before they happen, and ensure your event runs smoothly from start to finish.

If you held a live event in the past year, one of these professionals helped make it a success. Here’s your opportunity to say thank you in a lasting way.

The Event Service Professionals Association (ESPA)—the only association dedicated to advancing the role of event service managers—is now accepting nominations for its Event Service Professional of the Year Award.

Nominate someone who:
  • Partnered with you as a true teammate,
  • Took ownership of your event’s success, and
  • Went above and beyond to deliver a seamless experience.
To be eligible to nominate an Event Service Professional for this award, you must:
~ Be a meeting planner who has worked with the Nominee on an event held between December 1, 2025 and November 30, 2026.

Submission deadline: December 4, 2026
1.What is your contact information(Required.)
2.How many years of meeting planning experience do you have?(Required.)
3.How would you describe yourself as a meeting planner? (Check all that apply)(Required.)
4.Is meeting planning your primary job responsibility?(Required.)
5.Select the type of organization your Event Service Professional nominee works for. (Select one only)(Required.)
6.Nominee's contact information.(Required.)
7.Tell us about the event that you worked together on:(Required.)
8.Rate your nominee in the following areas(Required.)
Meets Expectations
Exceeds Expectations
Far Exceeds Expectations
Exceptional
Anticipates and envisions planners' needs
Solves challenges efficiently and creatively
Connects planners to needed and helpful resources
Takes initiative to exceed the planner’s needs and expectations.
Builds enthusiasm for the event among staff and suppliers.
Maintains a personable, yet professional relationship
Initiates effective communication to plan, coordinate, and
enhance the event
9.What three words best describe your Event Service Professional nominee?(Required.)
10.Being as detailed as possible, please describe your experience working with this Event Service Professional over the past year.
  • How did they support you during the planning and/or execution of your event(s)?
  • What actions did they take that contributed to your success?
  • What challenges or obstacles did they help you overcome?
Please share specific examples that demonstrate the nominee’s service, partnership, and impact.(Required.)
11.In your own words, tell us why this event service professional should be named the Event Service Professional of the Year?(Required.)