ILEA Indiana

Dedicated and Educated to Deliver Creative Excellence and Professionalism in Special Events

The International Live Events Association (ILEA) is comprised of over 7,200 professionals in over 38 countries representing special event planners and producers (from festivals to trade shows), caterers, decorators, florists, destination management companies, rental companies, special effects experts, tent suppliers, audio-visual technicians, event and convention coordinators, balloon artists, edu

cators, journalists, hotel sales managers, specialty entertainers, convention center managers, and many more
professional disciplines.

08/24/2026

✨ MONDAY MEMBER HIGHLIGHT ✨

This week, we’re excited to spotlight Chrissy Hudacin, Owner & Lead Designer of Special Occasion Designs! 💐💜

Chrissy has been an ILEA member since 2019 and recently completed two years as President of ILEA Indiana, serving from July 2024 through June 2026. Her leadership, involvement, and dedication to our events community have made such an impact on our chapter, and we are so grateful for everything she has poured into ILEA!

With 12 years in the industry, Chrissy specializes in creating beautiful wedding and event floral décor. One of her favorite ILEA memories was leading a session at the Midwest Retreat on Ikebana floral design, combining her passion for floral design with her past experience as a teacher. 🌿

Her advice for getting the most out of an ILEA membership? Get involved and attend the events! Chrissy credits jumping headfirst into the organization and taking advantage of opportunities both locally and with other chapters with helping grow not only her business, but her confidence as well.

And her must-have event tools? A good pair of clippers, zip ties, collapsible carts…and friends. 😉🙌

Thank you, Chrissy, for your years of leadership, creativity, and commitment to ILEA Indiana. We’re so lucky to have you as part of our community! 💜

Show Chrissy some love in the comments! 👏💐

08/21/2026

Still celebrating our incredible 2026 PACE Award winners! ✨

This past May, Jessica Evans of Fiore Design Studio was honored with the Rising Star Award at the 2026 PACE Awards. 🌟

Jessica’s creativity, talent, and dedication to the events industry have already made such an impact, and we’re excited to continue watching her shine within our Indiana events community.

Congratulations again, Jessica, on this well-deserved recognition!

Photographer: NH Creative | Photography & Video Production

08/19/2026

ILEA Indiana members, we’re going After Hours!

Join us for an exclusive members-only evening at the historic Hilbert Circle Theatre, home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. We’ll kick off the evening with a drink, hors d’oeuvres, and time to connect before heading behind the scenes for a private tour of this iconic Indianapolis landmark.

You’ll get a look at the theatre’s unique event spaces, including a rare glimpse of the stage extension that transforms the main concert hall into a hidden, historic event space. It’s the perfect mix of networking, inspiration, and a little behind-the-curtain access!

Thursday, September 10, 2026
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Hilbert Circle Theatre | 45 Monument Circle

Tickets include hors d’oeuvres, one drink, a private venue tour, and networking.

ILEA Members: $20
Student Members: $10

This event is exclusively for ILEA members, so grab your ticket and join us for ISO After Hours!

Special thanks to our event sponsors: Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Hilbert Circle Theatre, and Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering.

EventProfs

07/06/2026

🎲✨ Place Your Bets… on the Best Networking Event of the Summer! ✨🎲

Join us for ILEA Indiana’s Masters of the Moment: Summer Showcase—an afternoon packed with entertainment, networking, and fresh event inspiration!

Experience the newest event entertainment from AMS Entertainment, including:
🎰 Casino games like Blackjack, Roulette, Poker, and more
🤖 AI Caricatures that create a one-of-a-kind keepsake
✨ …and so much more!

Enjoy delicious bites and cocktails from First Class Catering.

Members and non-members are welcome!

📅 Wednesday, July 29
⏰ 4:00–7:00 PM
📍 FORUM Events Center | Fishers, IN

🎟 Tickets
• ILEA Members: $10
• Non-Members: $20

Come play a little. Eat a little. Drink a little. Network a lot. We can’t wait to see you there!

06/16/2026

✨ Stop performing. Start connecting. ✨
ILEA Indiana, it’s time to honor the human underneath the hustle. 💙 For too long, as event professionals, we’ve focused on perfecting the lighting cues and flawless ex*****on... but rarely do we check the energy supporting us. Or, quietly, draining us.
Join us for an immersive experience that moves energetic leadership from neuroscience theory to real-life application! We are SO excited to welcome back a dear friend and PAST ILEA INDIANA PRESIDENT! 🙌
Meet our guest speaker, Sarah Mullins, an experienced event professional herself and the force behind Sarah Mullins, LLC. In this interactive session, Sarah will show you how to leverage her ‘4 E’s of Energetic Leadership’ to align how you lead with who you are. This isn’t just another networking event. Come ready to think. And maybe feel a little too. 💡🤍
Details Below: 👇
👤 Speaker: Sarah Mullins, Leadership Coach & ILEA Indiana Past President
☀️ Theme: Lead from Your Essence: The Shift from Performance to Presence
🗓 When: June 23, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
📍 Where: The Crane Bay Event Center, Indianapolis
🍽 Includes: Light Bites, Growth, and Connection!
🎟 Members: $35 | Student Members: $25 | Non-Members: $45
Spaces are limited! SECURE YOUR SPOT via the link in our bio! 🔗
A HUGE thank you to our amazing sponsors who make this possible:

experiences energy

05/19/2026

Congratulations to all of our 2026 PACE Awards winners. We are proud to celebrate the incredible talent, creativity, and dedication within Indiana’s events industry.

2026 PACE Award Winners:
• Carson Ray Spirit of ILEA Award – Gene Huddelson
• Excellence in Sponsorship – Fitzgerald Hospitality Group
• President’s Award – Chris LaMar
• Rising Star Award – Jessica Evans
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Anne Steinberg
• Best Beverage Concept – Thomas Caterers of Distinction
• Best Catered Event Over $10k Corporate – Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering
• Best Catered Event $10-25k Social/Wedding – Fitzgerald Hospitality Group
• Best Community Impact – BFF Indy
• Best Corporate Event – Accent Indy, DMC Network
• Best Design/Décor Corporate – Accent Indy, DMC Network
• Best Design/Décor Social/Wedding – Bliss Event Designs LLC
• Best Entertainment Corporate – Accent Indy, DMC Network
• Best Event Planning & Logistics Corporate – Accent Indy, DMC Network
• Best Event Planning & Logistics Non-for-Profit – Perfectly Planned Events
• Best Floral Concept Under $10k – Fiore Design Studio
• Best Floral Concept Over $10k – Special Occasion Designs
• Best Menu – Bottleworks Hotel
• Best Multi Day Event Corporate – Accent Indy, DMC Network
• Best Multi Day Event Wedding/Social – Bottleworks Hotel
• Best Non-for-Profit Event – Perfectly Planned Events
• Best Event Capture – Photography Corporate – Aimed Photography
• Best Social Event – Thomas Caterers of Distinction
• Best Surprise Element – Accent Indy, DMC Network
• Best Technical Production Under $15k – Sterler Productions
• Best Technical Production Over $15k – NBE Event Group
• Best Team Effort – Accent Indy, DMC Network, BBJ La Tavola, NBE Event Group, Indy Visual, Crystal Catering, A Classic Party Rental, & MichaelAngelos Events
• Best Wedding – Bliss Event Designs LLC

Thank you to everyone who submitted, attended, sponsored, and celebrated with us. Your passion and innovation continue to elevate the events industry in Indiana and beyond.

Photography:

LiveEvents EventPlanning EventDesign

05/18/2026

Your next connection could change everything. ✨

The ILEA Indiana Membership Drive is officially here! From May 14–28, join a community of creative event professionals who believe in collaboration over competition, meaningful industry connections, education, inspiration, and celebrating the incredible work happening right here in Indiana. 💜

Whether you’re a planner, photographer, venue, caterer, florist, entertainment company, rental company, or event creative — there’s a place for you here.

Use code: INILEA26 for $50 OFF your membership during the membership drive! 🎉

We can’t wait to welcome new faces into the ILEA Indiana family. 🤍

05/17/2026

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just conversations to have once a year. They are ongoing commitments that help shape stronger teams, more meaningful experiences, and a more connected events industry.

Join the DEI Committee for an upcoming Virtual DEI Meet-Up on Monday, May 18, where event professionals from across the industry will come together to share perspectives, exchange ideas, and discuss how we can continue creating more inclusive and impactful events.

Whether you’re looking to learn, contribute, connect, or simply listen, this is a space for open conversation, growth, and community.

📅 Monday, May 18, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM PDT
💻 Virtual Meetup

We encourage all ILEA Chicago members to join the conversation and be part of shaping a more inclusive future for live events.

RSVP today!
https://www.ileahub.com/event-details-registration/virtual-dei-meetup

05/14/2026

✨ Stop performing. Start connecting. ✨

ILEA Indiana, it’s time to honor the human underneath the hustle. 💙 For too long, as event professionals, we’ve focused on perfecting the lighting cues and flawless ex*****on... but rarely do we check the energy supporting us. Or, quietly, draining us.

Join us for an immersive experience that moves energetic leadership from neuroscience theory to real-life application! We are SO excited to welcome back a dear friend and PAST ILEA INDIANA PRESIDENT! 🙌

Meet our guest speaker, Sarah Mullins, an experienced event professional herself and the force behind Sarah Mullins, LLC. In this interactive session, Sarah will show you how to leverage her ‘4 E’s of Energetic Leadership’ to align how you lead with who you are. This isn’t just another networking event. Come ready to think. And maybe feel a little too. 💡🤍

Details Below: 👇

👤 Speaker: Sarah Mullins, Leadership Coach & ILEA Indiana Past President
☀️ Theme: Lead from Your Essence: The Shift from Performance to Presence
🗓 When: June 23, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
📍 Where: The Crane Bay Event Center, Indianapolis
🍽 Includes: Light Bites, Growth, and Connection!

🎟 Members: $35 | Student Members: $25 | Non-Members: $45

Spaces are limited! SECURE YOUR SPOT via the link in our bio! 🔗

A HUGE thank you to our amazing sponsors who make this possible:

experiences energy

Address

Indianapolis, IN
46250

Website

http://www.ileaindiana.com/

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