COSTA MESA, CA-The third-annual SPIRE awards, hosted by CREW-Orange County, take place tonight at the Center Club here. As GlobeSt.com previously reported, the awards celebrate the achievements of Orange County men and women in several areas of commercial real estate. GlobeSt.com caught up with Dana White, VP for Bank of the West and SPIRE's co-chair and past president, to get an exclusive look at what to expect at the awards and their significance in the industry.

GlobeSt.com: What are your expectations for the awards event this year, and what can people who attend the event expect?

Dana White: The Orange County commercial real estate community has really embraced this annual event. This will be the third annual SPIRE awards, and we expect to have between 275 and 300 attendees that will join us to celebrate the successes achieved during 2013. The finalists and winners in each category will be announced in every category: redevelopment, design/construction, brokerage, lending and philanthropy. We are pleased to have Watty Watson, CEO/president of CT Realty Investors, as our master of ceremonies and Robert Brunswick, chairman/CEO of Buchanan Street Partners, as our keynote speaker. Attendees will have a chance to network at the cocktail party before the main event.

GlobeSt.com: We understand that these are Orange County's only commercial real estate awards. How did the SPIRE awards come about?

White: The idea was conceived just after the bottom of the economic downturn. We realized that we were all working so hard, but there was no recognition of the deals that were getting done despite the adverse conditions in the market. There was a real need to acknowledge the people who were making significant contributions to the economy in all areas of commercial real estate in Orange County. Other companies and organizations have their own awards program, but the SPIRE awards celebrate success in the commercial real estate industry across many disciplines.

GlobeSt.com: Was there an increase in nominations this year? If so, what categories were most popular?

White: Our nominations have increased every year since our inaugural event in 2011, with a big acceleration this year including more than 150 professionals. All of the award categories are strongly represented, but our construction, tenant improvements, women in CRE and philanthropy award categories received the most nominations. We had particularly strong response to our Women in CRE award category, which is new this year.

GlobeSt.com: What's the significance of winning a SPIRE award? How does this benefit the commercial real estate industry as a whole?

White: The SPIRE award recognizes superior achievement in the industry and is decided by a "who's who" panel of judges from within the senior ranks of the industry in Orange County. We are all happy when we achieve personal successes, but it's an honor to be recognized competitively for your success within the entire industry and to celebrate with other industry professionals. The whole industry benefits when we raise the awareness of our achievements within the greater community.