Supporting the People Who Make Colorado Events Possible
CEA’s Heart of Hospitality
A Helping Hand for Our Hospitality Community
The Colorado Event Alliance believes in taking care of the people who take care of our industry.
The CEA Community Gift & Award is a quarterly give-back initiative created to support frontline hospitality and event professionals experiencing an unexpected financial hardship, health crisis, family emergency or other significant personal need.
Through financial gifts, donated services and the collective generosity of the Colorado events community, our goal is simple: to provide a helping hand when one of our own needs it most.
Who Can Be Nominated?
Nominations may be submitted by companies or individuals with an active, good-standing membership in the Colorado Event Alliance.
Eligible nominees must be a current:
Full-time employee
Part-time employee
Frequent 1099 contractor
of a current CEA member company.
Nominations should be based on a specific need where support could make a meaningful difference. Examples may include medical expenses, transportation or vehicle repairs, housing assistance, family emergencies, education-related needs or other unexpected financial hardships.
What Does the Recipient Receive?
Awards are based on the resources available within the fund and the specific needs of the recipient.
Support may include a one-time financial gift, generally ranging from $500–$2,500, or donated goods and services from members of the CEA community.
In-kind support could include things like:
Transportation assistance
Meals or catering
Home or vehicle repairs
Professional services
Other resources that directly address the recipient's need
Whenever possible, CEA will work to make the support meaningful to the individual situation rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Nominate Someone
Know someone in our hospitality or events community who could use a helping hand?
The nomination is designed to be simple. We’ll ask you to tell us:
Their Story
How has this person contributed to their company, community or Colorado's hospitality and events industry?
Their Need
What challenge or hardship are they currently facing?
The Impact
How would financial assistance or donated services help alleviate that burden?
Public or Private Recognition
Recipients may choose whether they would like their story and award shared publicly or prefer to remain anonymous.
CEA loves celebrating the people who make our industry special, but the comfort and privacy of the recipient will always be respected.
How Recipients Are Selected
Nominations are reviewed by a rotating Selection Committee made up of CEA Board members and/or designated volunteers.
Committee members are required to maintain the confidentiality of all nominee information throughout the selection process.
Awards are based on demonstrated need, potential impact and available resources within the fund.
Help Us Keep Giving
This program is powered by the Colorado events community.
Funding comes from a combination of CEA resources, member contributions, community fundraising and corporate sponsorships.
Ways to support the program include:
Giving during CEA networking events
Becoming a program sponsor
Making a direct contribution to the award fund
Donating a product or professional service that could help a future recipient
Every contribution helps create a stronger safety net for the people behind Colorado's events.
An Industry That Takes Care of It's Own
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An Industry That Takes Care of It's Own 〰️
Events don't happen without people.
They happen because of servers, bartenders, cooks, venue teams, rental crews, planners, technicians, drivers, designers, florists and countless other professionals working behind the scenes.
This program is our opportunity to show up for them.
When one of our own needs a helping hand, the Colorado Event Alliance community is here.