International Live Events Association - Austin Chapter

The shadows are gathering, and tickets are disappearing.

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Austin Special Events Awards Gala: Shadows in Silk, where we celebrate the people, events, and experiences that define our industry.

Tickets are selling fast, and pricing increases on June 8.

Don't wait until the spotlight finds someone else—secure your seat today and be part of an evening filled with elegance, recognition, and celebration.

Gather your team, dress for the occasion, and prepare for a night where excellence takes center stage.

A special thank you to for joining us as an Obsidian Level Sponsor for the ILEA Austin Shadows in Silk Gala on June 18 at Assembly Hall.

As the leading business-to-business platform powering brands like The Knot and WeddingWire, WeddingPro continues to support and elevate event professionals across the wedding and hospitality industry. Through education, connection, marketing tools, and industry insight, they help creative businesses grow while inspiring meaningful experiences for couples and clients alike.

A huge thank you to our incredible in-kind partners who are helping bring Shadows in Silk to life for ILEA Austin on June 18 at Assembly Hall. Events like this are only possible because of the creativity, collaboration, and generosity of our amazing event community. We are so grateful for each of these talented teams helping us create an unforgettable evening.
anfloraldesign
Jo.An Floral creates floral designs that feel artistic, intentional, and full of movement. Their ability to blend color, texture, and modern floral storytelling makes them the perfect partner for an evening centered around rich detail and elevated design.


The team at Austin Event Lighting are masters at transforming a room through lighting and production. From dramatic ambiance to perfectly curated highlights throughout the space, their expertise helps set the mood and bring the entire vision to life in the most impactful way.


Known for their diverse prop inventory, S**g Carpet Austin brings texture, warmth, and personality into every event space they touch. Their pieces instantly elevate a design and help create the layered, immersive atmosphere that makes an event feel truly special.

Bat City Beats
Bat City Beats knows how to create moments that move people — literally. Bringing energy, personality, and expertly curated entertainment to every event, their team helps set the tone for unforgettable guest experiences and keeps the celebration going all night long.

We cannot wait for everyone to experience the magic these teams are helping create for the 2026 ILEA Austin Gala 🖤

A huge thank you to Premier Entertainment Austin for joining us as an Ember Level Sponsor for the ILEA Austin Shadows in Silk Gala on June 18 at Assembly Hall. ✨

Premier Entertainment brings events to life through sophisticated DJ entertainment, live musicians, event lighting, and immersive experiences designed to keep guests engaged from start to finish. Known for blending cutting-edge technology with unmatched talent and hospitality, their team continues to create unforgettable celebrations throughout Austin and beyond.

Thank you for helping us elevate an evening dedicated to creativity, connection, and our incredible events community.

Shadows in Silk is looking for volunteers to help bring the magic to life. Whether you're looking to meet new industry friends, gain behind-the-scenes experience, or simply enjoy discounted gala rates, we'd love to have you join us.

Be part of the team that transforms an evening of elegance, celebration, and recognition into an unforgettable experience.

Interested? Email Bailey Saunders at [email protected] to learn more.

Join us in the shadows—where the real magic happens. 🥂✨

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible in-kind partners who are helping bring Shadows in Silk to life for ILEA Austin on June 18 at Assembly Hall. The creativity, time, and generosity of our vendor community are what transform this gala from vision into reality. We are truly grateful for each of these talented teams who are helping shape an unforgettable evening for our industry. ✨

PhotoHouse Films
Photohouse Films has a gift for capturing the energy, emotion, and unforgettable moments that make an event truly special. Through thoughtful storytelling and cinematic production, their team preserves the magic of every celebration in a way that allows memories to live on long after the night ends.

Premiere Events
For more than 25 years, Premiere Events has helped bring extraordinary celebrations to life through elevated event rentals, thoughtful design, and exceptional hospitality. From stunning tabletop and couture linens to statement furnishings and staging, their expertise helps create the beautifully layered environment that makes an event feel truly immersive.

We’re so excited to celebrate the work of these amazing partners and can’t wait for guests to experience the atmosphere they’re helping bring to life at this year’s gala 🖤

A huge thank you to Curate for joining us as a Steel Level Sponsor for the ILEA Austin Shadows in Silk Gala on June 18 at Assembly Hall. ✨

We’re excited to welcome them into the ILEA Austin community and look forward to sharing more about Curate and their work in the future—stay tuned!

In the meantime, we are truly grateful for their support in helping bring this event to life.

CSEP Professionals in Our Community

Across the live events industry, professionals continue to invest in education and professional development.

Many members of the ILEA Austin community hold the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) designation through the International Live Events Association.

As a chapter, we’re proud to support ongoing learning and growth within the events industry.

If you're curious about the CSEP or interested in learning more, we’re always happy to connect.

A huge thank you to Premiere Events for joining us as an Obsidian Level Sponsor for the ILEA Austin Shadows in Silk Gala on June 18 at Assembly Hall. ✨

For more than 25 years, Premiere Events has helped bring celebrations to life across Texas through elevated event rentals, thoughtful design, and exceptional hospitality. From statement-making tents and stylish tabletop to couture linens, dance floors, staging, and more, their team continues to raise the bar for unforgettable event rental experiences.

We are incredibly grateful for their support of ILEA Austin and the creative community that makes our industry so special. Thank you for helping us create an unforgettable evening of inspiration, connection, and celebration.

Join us virtually on June 3 at noon for an inspiring and FREE Lunch & Learn with as we dive into the art of Hospitality-Driven Weddings. ✨

Heather Hoesch Olsen
Founder, Wedding Planner, Educator, Mentor & Podcast Host

is a wedding planner, educator, and industry leader with over 22 years of experience and more than 900 weddings thoughtfully planned and executed. As the founder of Heather Hoesch Events and Planner Life Academy, she’s built a reputation not just for beautiful events, but for creating experiences rooted in hospitality, intention, and care.
What sets Heather apart is her ability to bridge the gap between vision and ex*****on, helping both clients and fellow planners understand not just what to do, but how to do it well. She’s known for her calm, grounded presence, her process-driven approach, and her commitment to elevating the industry through better communication, collaboration, and client experience.

Through & , Heather has supported over 4,500 planners with education, mentorship, and real-world tools that actually work. Whether she’s planning a multi-day celebration or leading a room full of wedding professionals, her goal is the same: to help people feel more confident, capable, and supported in the work they do.

🗓 June 3, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM
💻 Virtual Lunch & Learn