Industry Awards
Congratulations to the Industry Awards nominees and winners for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards.
How it works
Recognising the people behind Country Music
ACM Industry Awards recognize venues and talent buyers/promoters who have bought or promoted a predetermined number of Country Music concerts and helped promote Country Music ticket sales.
Nominees are selected by a professional panel of judges approved by the ACM Officers, with ACM members classified in the Artist/Musician/Producer/Engineer, Venue, Manager, Talent Agent and Talent Buyer/Promoter categories voting to decide the winner.
Voted on by the membership categorized in the artist/musician/producer/engineer, venue, manager, talent agent, and talent buyer/promoter categories
Winners and nominees
Congratulations to the Industry Awards nominees and winners for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards.
Casino of the Year - Theater
- WinnerChoctaw Grand Theater – Durant, OK
- NomineeGolden Nugget Lake Charles – Lake Charles, LA
- NomineeHard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Hollywood, FL
- NomineeResorts World Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas – Las Vegas, NV
- NomineeThe Venue at Thunder Valley at Thunder Valley Casino – Lincoln, CA
Casino of the Year - Arena
- WinnerMohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, CT
- NomineeBECU Live at Northern Quest Casino – Airway Heights, WA
- NomineeHard Rock Live at Etess Arena – Atlantic City, NJ
- NomineeSoaring Eagle – Mount Pleasant, MI
- NomineeStir Concert Cove – Council Bluffs, IA
Festival of the Year
- WinnerStagecoach – Indio, CA
- NomineeC2C: Country to Country – London, England
- NomineeCMC Rocks – Ipswich, Queensland
- NomineeTortuga Music Festival – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- NomineeTwo Step Inn – Georgetown, TX
Fair/Rodeo of the Year
- WinnerCheyenne Frontier Days – Cheyenne, WY
- NomineeCalgary Stampede – Calgary, AB
- NomineeCalifornia Mid-State Fair – Paso Robles, CA
- NomineeFlorida Strawberry Festival – Plant City, FL
- NomineeSan Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo – San Antonio, TX
Club of the Year
- WinnerThe Pinnacle – Nashville, TN
- NomineeBilly Bob's Texas – Fort Worth, TX
- NomineeBrooklyn Bowl – Nashville, TN
- NomineeCain's Ballroom – Tulsa, OK
- NomineeJoe's Live – Rosemont, IL
Theater of the Year
- WinnerRyman Auditorium – Nashville, TN
- NomineeBlue Gate Theatre – Shipshewana, IN
- NomineeGrand Ole Opry House – Nashville, TN
- NomineeState Theatre – Portland, ME
- NomineeThe Franklin Theatre – Franklin, TN
Outdoor Venue of the Year
- WinnerRed Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
- NomineeCMAC – Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center – Canandaigua, NY
- NomineeFiddler’s Green Amphitheatre – Denver, CO
- NomineeFloore's Country Store – Helotes, TX
- NomineeThe Orion Amphitheater – Huntsville, AL
- NomineeWalmart AMP (Arkansas Music Pavilion) – Rogers, AR
Arena of the Year
- WinnerBridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
- NomineeBOK Center – Tulsa, OK
- NomineeDickies Arena – Fort Worth, TX
- NomineePaycom Center – Oklahoma City, OK
- NomineeT-Mobile Center – Kansas City, MO
Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year
- WinnerEd Warm
- NomineeAndrew Fortin
- NomineeDel Williams
- NomineeStacy Vee
- NomineeSusan Heymann
Promoter of the Year
- WinnerAdam Weiser
- NomineeBob Roux
- NomineeBrian O'Connell
- NomineePatrick McDill
- NomineeRich Schaefer
How the Industry Awards work
Casino of the Year
-Theater
This award is presented to an outstanding theater or showroom within a casino, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The casino theater or showroom must have bought or promoted at least five (5) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
-Arena
This award is presented to an outstanding arena or amphitheater within a casino selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The casino arena or amphitheater must have bought or promoted at least four (4) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Festival of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding country music festival where artist(s) received market value compensation for their performance, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The festival must have taken place over two (2) or more consecutive days, included a minimum of ten (10) acts, with at least ninety percent (90%) of headlining acts classed in the country genre, occurred during the eligibility period, and be in good standing with all professional vendors and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Fair/Rodeo of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding fair/rodeo where artist(s) received market value compensation for their performance, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The fair/rodeo must have included a minimum of one (1) country music artist as a headliner, occurred during the eligibility period, and be in good standing with all professional vendors and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Club of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding country music club, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The club must have bought or promoted at least ten (10) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Theater of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding theater or performing arts center, not associated with a casino, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The theater/performing arts center must have bought or promoted at least ten (10) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Outdoor Venue of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding outdoor venue, not associated with a casino, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The outdoor venue must have bought or promoted at least five (5) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Arena of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding indoor arena, not associated with a casino, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The arena must have bought or promoted at least five (5) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding talent buyer, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The buyer must have bought at least fifteen (15) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Promoter of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding promoter, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The promoter must have promoted at least fifteen (15) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category
How the Industry Awards are voted
A Professional Panel whose members are approved by the ACM officers will submit five (5) nominees to be approved by the Board for the final round in the following categories; Casino Theater, Casino Arena, Festival of the Year, Fair/Rodeo of the Year, Club of the Year, Theater of the Year, Outdoor Venue of the Year, Arena of the Year, Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year and Promoter of the Year, based on the criteria for each category. The panel will review and discuss all submitted candidates. The panel will vote by a confidential weighted ballot to determine a top 10 list of candidates. After additional discussion, the panel will then vote by confidential weighted ballot to determine a list of the top five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the final ballot once approved by the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of ACM members classified in the Artist/Musician/Producer/Engineer, Venue, Manager, Talent Agent, Talent Buyer/Promoter membership category. The nominee receiving the most votes in each category will be deemed the winner. In the case of a tie, all winners will receive an award. Awards to be given out at annual Honors event.
Members must be in good standing in order to be eligible to vote in the Main Awards, Industry Awards and Studio Recording Awards.Six decades of winners
Search every Industry Award winner, from the first Club of the Year to this year's Arena, Festival and Promoter of the Year.