ILEA Spark Awards 2025 Winners

Each year, the ILEA Chicago Chapter Spark Awards honor the creativity, innovation, and excellence of the city’s event and hospitality professionals. From breathtaking décor and immersive culinary experiences to powerful fundraisers and corporate celebrations, this year’s winners represent the best of Chicago’s vibrant event industry.

We are excited to share the 2025 ILEA Spark Awards winners — a showcase of the outstanding work, talent, and vision that continue to elevate our community and inspire future events.

AV Chicago, Winner of:

Best Technical Production for a Social Event or Wedding

Nomination Name: Leading Caterers of America
Company: AV Chicago
AV Chicago enhanced the Leading Caterers of America event with dynamic audiovisual experiences from welcome receptions to vibrant afterparties.

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BeatMix Music, Winner of:

Best Event Collaboration

Nomination Name: Leading Caterers of America Executive Summit Dinner
Company Collaboration: BeatMix Music, Catering by Michaels, Events by Tess, Epic Events, TimTab Studios
Top Chicago event teams collaborated to craft a sensory-rich walking dinner experience themed around twilight, dusk, and dawn.

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Butterfly Productions, Winner of:

Best Musical Entertainment

Nomination Name: Radiate Gala 2024
Company: Butterfly Productions
The Radiate Gala blended powerful survivor stories with uplifting entertainment, creating a vibrant, inspiring night supporting the Salt and Light Coalition’s mission.

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CTC Destination Management

Best Décor for a Corporate Event

Nomination Name: CTC Presents The HOSPY’S 2024
Company: CTC Destination Management
Inspired by Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, CTC transformed a community theater into a dazzling Swiftie dream for their annual Hospy Awards celebration.

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Elevoque Business Event Agency, Winner of:

Best Corporate Event

Nomination Name: An Evening With Elevoque
Company: Elevoque Business Event Agency
An Evening with Elevoque was a sensory-driven, high-impact experience that redefined immersive event storytelling. From floating cocktail installations to the Midwest debut of the Glambot, Elevoque engineered a statement event that proved Chicago’s event scene is fearless.

Nomination Name: Chicago Confidential: Skyline + Success
Company: Elevoque Business Event Agency
Chicago Confidential: Summer Incentive was a five-day celebration immersing top financial advisors in Chicago’s prestige and innovation, flawlessly executed across luxury hotels and Navy Pier.

Best Interactive Entertainment

Nomination Name: An Evening With Elevoque
Company: Elevoque Business Event Agency
Elevoque’s entertainment wowed guests with custom cloud greeters, gemstone aerialists, and electrifying musical performances for a new standard in immersive events.

Best Unique Food & Beverage Activation

Nomination Name: An Evening With Elevoque
Company: Elevoque Business Event Agency
Elevoque blurred the lines between dining and art, with floating canapés, greenhouse ice cream stations, and theatrical ramen experiences designed to surprise and delight.

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Food for Thought, Winner of:

Best Catered Indoor Event

Nomination Name: Cellmark – Unleash Your Wild Side
Company: Food For Thought
Transforming City Hall into an Amazonian jungle, Food For Thought served a vibrant South American menu, overcoming space challenges to deliver an unforgettable, immersive experience.

Best Catered Outdoor Event

Nomination Name: Private Residence – Racine, WI Farm Wedding
Company: Food For Thought
For a farm wedding in Racine, Food For Thought crafted a playful yet elevated Wisconsin-themed menu, setting up kitchens in horse arenas and managing a seamless outdoor experience.

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GYM Events, LLC, Winner Of:

 Best Fundraiser/Non-Profit Event

Nomination Name: Love Purse “Peace, Love & Purses” Gala
Company: GYM Events, LLC
The Love Purse Gala brought 1970s-themed fun and fundraising to Wilder Mansion, supporting women overcoming personal tragedies and emergencies.

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High Minded Events, Winner of:

Ignite Award

Nomination Name: Phil Cooper
Company: High Minded Events
A celebrated creative force in both traditional and cannabis hospitality events, Phil Cooper continues to elevate experiences with groundbreaking design and community impact.

 

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Mixed Space Studios, Winner of:

Best Technical Production for Fundraiser/Non-Profit Event

Nomination Name: Chopra Foundation Sages and Scientists
Company: Mixed Space Studios
Seamlessly blending live and virtual experiences across Boston venues, Mixed Space Studios supported a 100+ speaker conference with flawless execution.

Best Technical Production for a Corporate Event

Nomination Name: Marriott Topline Summit 2024
Company: Mixed Space Studios
Mixed Space Studios orchestrated flawless AV, scenic elements, and vendor collaboration to deliver a seamless and striking corporate event.

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PC Events & Experiences, Winner Of:

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative

Nomination Name: 2024 Conference for African American Financial Professionals
Company: PC Events & Experiences
This national conference empowered Black financial professionals through workshops, keynote speakers, and a vibrant showcase of BIPOC-owned businesses.

Best Outdoor Event (Non-Wedding)

Nomination Name: 538th Convocation
Company: PC Events & Experiences
The University of Chicago’s multi-day graduation celebration welcomed over 18,000 attendees, with seamless coordination across more than 50 events.

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Perfectly Planned Events, Winner of: 

Best Social Event (Anniversary/Wedding/Birthday)

Nomination Name: Farewell to a Classic
Company: Perfectly Planned Events
This vibrant retirement party celebrated a distinguished career with custom trivia games, luxury motor venues, and gourmet cuisine in a playful setting.

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TM Creative Consultants, Winner Of:

Lifetime Achievement Award – Timot McGonagle, Owner

Nomination Name: Timot McGonagle
Company: TM Creative Consultants
Honored for over two decades of excellence, mentorship, and innovation, Timot McGonagle’s contributions have shaped the Chicago and national events industry.

Best Décor for a Social Event (Non-Wedding)

Nomination Name: The Dance for Life 2024 After Party
Company: TM Creative Consultants
Venue Six10 came alive with custom dance-themed projections, vibrant club vibes, and immersive spaces celebrating performers and sponsors after Dance for Life.

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Wedicity Wedding Planning & Design, Winner of:

Best Décor for a Wedding

Nomination Name: Adler Planetarium – A Night Under the Stars!
Company: Wedicity Wedding Planning & Design
Angela and Kelly’s chic wedding at Adler Planetarium merged celestial design, luxurious cuisine, and a breathtaking end under the Sky Theater.