2009 Texas Meetings + Events Reader's Choice Award Winners

More than 200 meetings and events service professionals applauded the industry's finest at Texas Meetings + Events's second annual Best of 2009 awards celebration.

View photos from the event here!

The awards honor the dedication and creativity of local event professionals who have earned the respect and admiration of their clients and peers.

● Southern Region

Best Caterer - Historic Sunset Station at St. Paul Square

Best Conference/Convention/Exhibition Center - Austin Convention Center

Best Entertainment - SoundSource Entertainment

Best Florist - Eve Floral & Entertainment Design

Best Destination Management Organization - CE Group INC./Destination San Antonio

Best Golf Resort/Country Club - Horseshoe Bay Resort

Best Holiday Event/Party Venue - Epiphany-Celebrations & Entertaining

Best Hotel with Meeting Space - The Crossings

Best Green Meetings/Event Venue- The Crossings

Best Unique Venue- Pearl Stable

Best Rental Service (tents, tables, linens) - Aztec Events & Tents

Best Teambuilding Facility/Organizer - The CE Group Inc.

Best Transportation - Elegant Limousine and Charter Services

Best Photography - Shane Kyle

Best New Venue - Palm Door

● Eastern Region

Best Caterer - Beaumont Catering Company

Best Conference/Convention/Exhibition Center - The Lone Star Convention & Expo Center

Best Entertainment - SoundSource Entertainment

Best Florist - La Tee Da Flowers

Best Destination Management Organization - Lake Conroe Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Best Golf Resort/Country Club - Bentwater Yacht & Country Club

Best Holiday Event/Party Venue - Holiday Inn Tyler- South Broadway

Best Hotel with Meeting Space - La Torretta Del Lago Resort & Spa

Best Green Meetings/Event Venue - Ford Park Event Center

Best Unique Venue - Heritage Museum of Montgomery County

Best Rental Service (tents, tables, linens) - University Rental

Best Teambuilding Facility/Organizer - Rockin' C Ranch

Best Transportation - Sun Travel Trailways

Best Photography - Creative Photography

Best New Venue - La Torretta Del Lago Resort & Spa

● Northern Region

Best Caterer - Creative Cuisine

Best Conference/Convention/Exhibition Center - Plano Centre

Best Entertainment - Lone Start Murder Mysteries by Lagniappe Productions

Best Florist - Macaux Floral

Best Destination Management Organization - Plano Convention & Visitors Bureau

Best Golf Resort/Country Club - Cowboys Golf Club

Best Holiday Event/Party Venue - City Club of Fort Worth

Best Hotel with Meeting Space - Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Center

Best Green Meetings/Event Venue - Garrett Creek Ranch Conference Center

Best Unique Venue - Circle R Ranch

Best Rental Service (tents, tables, linens) - Ducky-Bob's Event Specialists

Best Teambuilding Facility/Organizer - Circle R Ranch

Best Transportation - Premier Transportation Services

Best Photography - Carpe Vita Photography

Best New Venue - Union Station

● Western Region

Best Caterer - Carino's Italian

Best Conference/Convention/Exhibition Center - Midland Center

Best Entertainment - Mex-Tex Family Fiesta

Best Florist - Flowerland

Best Destination Management Organization - Midland Texas Convention & Visitors Bureau

Best Golf Resort/Country Club - Abilene Country Club

Best Holiday Event/Party Venue - The Shack in the Back

Best Hotel with Meeting Space - Hilton Midland Plaza

Best Green Meetings/Event Venue - The Shack in the Back

Best Unique Venue - Kessler's Reception Hall

Best Rental Service (tents, tables, linens) - Ken's Events and Tents

Best Teambuilding Facility/Organizer - Maria Elena Duron (Buzz2Bucks)

Best Transportation - Big John's Limo Service

Best Photography - lkm photography

Best New Venue - George H.W. and Barbara Bush Commemorative Center

● Editor's Picks

Best Winery - Messina Hof Winery & Resort

Greenest Venue - Hilton Americas-Houston

Best Historic Venue - Downtown Nacogdoches

Best Corporate Event Perk - Say Cheese Photo Booths

Best OMG Venue - Cowboys Stadium

Best Comeback Destination - Galveston Island

Best Restaurant with Private Dining - Sea Ranch Restaurant & Bar

For the first time, Texas Meetings + Events also recognized its Hall of Fame inductees, chosen by the magazine's editorial advisory board.

● Hall of Fame

Best Up-and-Coming Supplier - Clara Hough, Owner, Over the Top Linen, Houston

Best Up-and-Coming Meeting Professional - Meredith Kennemer, Sales Executive, Outstanding Productions, Fort Worth and Grapevine

Best Up-and-Coming Special Events Planner - Tacy Infante, VP/Director of Events, Meritage Events, Inc., Austin

Best Supplier - Richard "Dick" Didow, Owner and CEO, Catch the Moment, Houston

Best Meeting Professional - Barbara Stone, Vice President of Services and Community Relations, Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, Fort Worth

Best Special Events Planner - Tamara Martin Harris, Owner, Eventfully U, Dallas

Lifetime Achievement - Colleen A. Rickenbacher, Owner, Colleen Rickenbacher Inc., Dallas

Partners that helped make the celebration a success include Lakeway Resort and Spa, Catch the Moment, Parkfest Floral, SoundSource Entertainment, VAE and Blind Date.

View photos from the event here.