The RAMMYS 2025

 

Event Details

Date: Sunday, August 3, 2025

Time: 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.

About the Event

The RAMMYS is the annual awards ceremony and gala for the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), a century-old organization dedicated to supporting the restaurant and hospitality industry right here in Washington, D.C., and its surrounding cities. 

Each year, the event consists of an awards show spotlighting the premier restaurants, chefs, management, and staff supporting these incredible establishments that serve our community. The event also includes a red carpet media opportunity, cocktail reception, and after party, which invites restaurant goers to join in the fun. With top-tier talent, exquisite food and beverage options, dancing, and sponsor and brand activations, The RAMMYS is a one-of-a-kind experience.

This year, Stratus Firm celebrated its fourteenth year as a partner of RAMW and The RAMMYS event. Providing expert event planning services, along with event management, budget management, and creative, food and beverage, and technical support, the firm constructed, executed, and closed a flawless event experience.

“The RAMMYS is more than an awards show; it’s a celebration of the heart and soul of DC’s restaurant industry. Year after year, Stratus Firm has been an essential partner in helping us bring that vision to life. Their creativity, precision, and deep understanding of our audience have helped us evolve the RAMMYS into one of the premier events in the city. It’s not just about producing a beautiful evening — it’s about creating an experience that honors our community. And with Stratus, we know we’re in the best hands to do exactly that.”
— Shawn Townsend, President & CEO, Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington

Scope of Services

Pre-Event Project Management

  • Stratus utilized web-based software to manage the event production process, including a comprehensive timeline of deliverables from contract ratification through planning and implementation.

  • Stratus ensured the judges panel process was underway, committees were formed, and meetings were scheduled, keeping RAMW updated on progress.

Pre-Event Sponsorship Planning & Management

  • Consulted and advised on sponsorship packages

  • Provided graphic design and printed materials

  • Supported sponsorship fulfillment

Budget Management

  • Built a comprehensive event budget, managed the budget, and tracked payments, deadlines, and vendor invoicing.

Pre-Event Vendor Management

  • Researched, recommended, and hired event vendors, including AV contractors, entertainment, décor, and venue vendors.

  • Developed menus and secured food and beverage sponsorships. Consulted with Aramark and RAMW on menu planning, dietary restrictions, allergies, and the quality and quantity of food and beverage provided.

  • Created timelines and floor plans for the event party, vendors, and service providers
    Coordinated volunteers

  • Arranged hotel accommodations and toast options

  • Reviewed and confirmed vendor and service provider contracts

Pre-Event Discovery & Development

  • Collaborated with RAMW to determine event timelines, themes, guest experience goals, and design

  • Consulted with the venue decor partner, Design Foundry

  • Managed branding and mission storytelling

  • Advised leadership on award categories, award show content, and the order of awards

  • Worked with the RAMW CEO to invite presenters to participate

  • Ensured physical awards were ordered, checked, and labeled

Pre-Event Design and Content Creation

  • Managed creative design, including print and digital assets

  • Collected sponsorship design assets for signage and promotional materials

  • Designed signage, including tabletop product signs, sponsor signs, directional signs, and guest flow signage

  • Developed floor plans for the cocktail reception, award ceremony seating, ballroom buffet, reserved tables, general admission seating, stage, and dance floor

On-Site Event Logistics

  • Managed décor and set load-in and load-out, activations, and installations

  • Oversaw registration

  • Coordinated volunteer tasks

  • Managed VIP/presenter logistics, including liaising with VIP and talent staff and security, and providing event briefs

  • Oversaw food and beverage operations

  • Managed entertainment logistics

On-Site Technical Production

  • Oversaw full show production, including technical direction, stage, and floor management

  • Managed day-of technical production services, including rehearsals, lead-up tasks, and advanced planning

  • Award ceremony monitor management

  • Arranged all technical requirements for sound, lighting, stage management, video, PowerPoint, and rehearsals

  • Managed talent-related programmatic elements before and during the event

Post-Event Project Management

  • Completed final invoicing, contract close-out, and post-event budget reconciliation

  • Sorted, supervised, and transported non-perishable donated items

  • Wrote and prepared an event recap for RAMW and the RAMMYS committee

  • Created a general recap with event metrics

  • Prepared and conducted a recap meeting with DC Events and major vendors

Sponsorships & Activations