TACA to Honor Cece Smith, Chris Luna in 2027
The Texas Accessible Children's Association will present its Silver Cup Award to two Dallas leaders at its 49th Annual Silver Cup Luncheon.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Awards
TACA will honor Cece Smith and Chris Luna as 2027 Silver Cup Award honorees at the 49th Annual Silver Cup Luncheon on April 16 at the Omni Dallas Hotel. Proceeds from the luncheon support TACA's mission.
Why it matters
The Silver Cup Award, established in 1979, recognizes community leaders whose service has shaped Dallas, and this year's honorees extend a tradition that has included figures such as Margaret McDermott and Stanley Marcus.
The Silver Cup Award has been presented since 1979 and previously honored Nancy Carlson and Andy Smith in 2026. The stub does not provide luncheon attendance or fundraising totals.
The players
Cece Smith
Cece Smith is a former Chair of the Dallas Symphony Association and former President of the Dallas Symphony Foundation, and a retired co-founder and managing general partner of Phillips-Smith-Machens Venture Partners.
Chris Luna
Chris Luna is President and CEO of the SPCA of Texas and previously served three terms on the Dallas City Council.
Texas Accessible Children's Association (TACA)
TACA is the Dallas-area organization that established the Silver Cup Award and hosts the annual luncheon.
The details
Kim Hext will chair the 2027 Silver Cup Luncheon, which honors Cece Smith and Chris Luna. The award was introduced by former Dallas mayor Annette Strauss and recognizes contributions to the community.
Timeline
1979: The TACA Silver Cup Award is established.
2026: Nancy Carlson and Andy Smith receive the award.
April 16, 2027: The 49th Annual Silver Cup Luncheon is held at the Omni Dallas Hotel.
Season Trajectory
The Silver Cup Award, founded in 1979 under former Dallas mayor Annette Strauss, has recognized civic leaders for decades. The 2027 honorees continue that lineage that includes Margaret McDermott and Stanley Marcus.
Readers interested in attending the luncheon can look to TACA for ticket details ahead of the April 16 event at the Omni Dallas Hotel. The stub does not provide pricing or registration information.
The takeaway
The Silver Cup Award's long run since 1979 shows how sustained civic recognition can honor those who build community institutions across generations. Readers can follow the April 16 luncheon for updates on the honorees.
What happens next
The 49th Annual Silver Cup Luncheon takes place April 16, 2027, at the Omni Dallas Hotel, where the honorees will be recognized.
Further reading
Explore more Dallas awards coverage to see how local honors recognize community leaders.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth.
