Allie Foundation

In 1988, Tim Lundy, CSEP, ignited a spark with a daring vision: to catapult Atlanta into the spotlight as a leader in the national event and hospitality scene. In the heart of Georgia’s bustling event scene, the Allie Awards emerged from the vision of a dedicated board member affiliated with both the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CATERING EXECUTIVES (NACE) and the INTERNATIONAL LIVE EVENTS ASSOCIATION (ILEA) in Atlanta. With the goal of fostering unity and excellence within the local event industry, the concept quickly gained support, leading to the formation of an awards committee chaired by industry pioneer, Tim Lundy, alongside Judy Cook. Chosen for its symbolism of unity, the name “Allies” reflects the collaborative spirit of Atlanta’s event companies striving together towards excellence in design, planning, and production. The first ceremony in 1991 marked the beginning of what would become a celebrated tradition, honoring the achievements of event professionals with an intimate gathering of 185 industry insiders during an Oscars broadcast.