SPECIAL EVENTS GALA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Special Events Gala Lifetime Achievement Award has been presented since 1986 and is the gold standard for those with robust careers in the events industry. Previous recent recipients have included Lenny Talarico, Sally Webb Barry, Larry Green, and Connie Riley.
The 2023 Special Events Gala Lifetime Achievement Award goes to...

Michael Cerbelli
CEO & President
Cerbelli Creative
Michael has been in the live events industry for over 44 years, beginning at just age 13 with some turntables and a dream. Being born and raised in Brooklyn, Michael’s passion is to do more than create incredible experiences, but to also be an inspiration to the events community.
The key to the success of Cerbelli Creative is its namesake; Michael Cerbelli. Michael knows the secret to producing extraordinary events:
An event doesn't have to be large to be 'big'. It doesn't have to be extravagant to be 'rich' and it doesn't have to be over the top to 'raise the roof'
Neither number of guests nor the price-point of an event define its success. Real greatness comes in the significance of the event to the event hosts, in the value it represents and the memories it creates. Michael Cerbelli enjoys the same challenge and rewards creating an intimate function for a special few as he does in producing a multi-million-dollar event for hundreds.
Cerbelli Creative is a dream factory, and their dreams are your dreams. If you can imagine it, Cerbelli Creative can exceed it. The satisfaction derived by Michael and the team at Cerbelli Creative comes from the wonder in your eyes at sights never seen before, the excitement of a moment never before dreamed, and beauty never before witnessed. With Cerbelli Creative, 'extraordinary' is never and intangible;' it is always and ever-present reality, simply waiting to be released by you.