A Look Back at Catersource + The Special Event 2023: Lead the Way

Catersource + The Special Event is the perfect opportunity to celebrate leaders and the impact that they have made.

Warren Dietel accepted the Michael Roman Lifetime Achievement during Catersource + The Special Event's Awards Ceremony.

During this year's Awards Ceremony, we were delighted to recognize Leadership Award recipients: Kate Patay (Richard Carbotti Volunteerism Award); Michael Dominguez (MeetingsNet Lifetime Achievement Award); and finally Warren Dietel (Michael Roman Lifetime Achievement Award) and Michael Cerbelli (Special Events Gala Lifetime Achievement Award) who left much of the ceremony’s audience with tears in their eyes.  

Kate Patay accepts this year's Richard Carbotti Volunteerism Award. 

Lenny Talarico presented longtime friend Michael Cerbelli with this year's Special Events Gala Lifetime Achievement Award.

“I am eternally grateful to accept this award on behalf of the many families I am blessed to be part of,” Dietel said during his acceptance speech. “I considered Michael Roman family, as many of you will agree–he had a knack to make us all feel that way.  He made us all feel special and had a profound impact on my life and I am sure many of you here this evening.  I am proud his legacy lives on and humbled to receive this award in his name.   

Heidi Brice (Director of Sales for Puff ‘n Stuff Events and Catering) congratulates her brother Warren Dietel on being named this year’s Michael Roman Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

“To my event and catering industry family – I am grateful to you for all for the ways you inspire, challenge, and support my career. I am grateful for all the amazing places and experiences I have been able to be a part of, and mostly for the many friendships, compassion, and love I feel towards our incredible industry.”       

Industry leaders once again came together for the annual Leadership Lunch (held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts). During the lovely lunch, guests heard from Patay and Lenny Talarico.  

Kate Patay and Lenny Talarico delivered the keynote during this year's Leadership Lunch.

Leaders came together for a lovely lunch during the Leadership Lunch, which was held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

See more from this year's Catersource + Special Event in the summer issue of Catersource magazine!

All photos courtesy WASIO Faces/SpotMyPhotos