Flanked by NACE National President, Daniel Briones(left), CPCE and Immediate Past NACE National President, Kevin Brant CPCE, Michele Polci, CPCE accepts the National Caterer of the Year award.

Michelle Polci, CPCE, Director of Catering Sales for the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino (part of the Las Vegas Meetings by Harrah’s Entertainment family of properties), scored the hat trick at the Awards Gala, which was the closing event of the annual National Educational Conference, of the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE).

NACE is the oldest and largest professional association that addresses all aspects of the catering industry.

The organization established its Annual Awards Program to honor achievements and outstanding contributions to the catering profession.

The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino features 2,563 guest suites and 163,000 square feet ofmeeting space. Polci won three awards: Catered Event of the Year (Over $35,000); Best Themed Food and Beverage, and Caterer of the Year, NACE’s top individual honor.

Polci earned the Catered Event of the Year Over $35,000 for her work on “Enchanted World of the Fairies,” an event for 3,700 guests that included iving elm trees and mystical images flying through the air. The Best Themed Food and Beverage award was given for Bond, James Bond, an extravagant affair conducted for meeting planners by Las Vegas Meetings by Harrah’s Entertainment. Caterer of the Year to Polci for her endless enthusiasm, dedication and extraordinary commitment to the meetings and hospitality industry and the catering profession.

“I am so happy for Michele as she gets this well-deserved recognition," said Michael Massari, Vice president of Meeting Sales & Operations for Las Vegas Meetings by Harrah’s Entertainment. “ She excels in everything she does. I really feel honored and privileged to have her as part of ourteam, and to get to work with her every day. She’s a fantastic asset not only tous, but to the event planners who get to work with her."

Michelle Polci, CPCE, Director of Catering Sales for the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino scored the NACE hat trick, receiving awards in the categories of Catered Event of the Year (Over $35,000); Best Themed Food and Beverage, and Caterer of the Year, NACE’s top individual honor.