ORLANDO, Fla. -- For the last several months, 9 Investigates has been looking into a costly award ceremony put on by a non-profit group operated by state employees. The Governor's Sterling Award is given for quality management and it often goes to other public agencies that spend thousand of dollars to apply.

Orlando's J.W. Marriott bills itself as the kind of place where kids wear suits, a cigar sells for hundred dollars and ladies are asked to "mind the hem" on their dresses. It also is the host of the Governor's Sterling Conference and awards banquet.

During the four day conference, government employees from all over the state attended seminars on the best ways to manage their offices. The conference wrapped up with a four-hour black-tie awards banquet followed by a four-hour after party.

"It's really so thrilling and exciting," said Lydia Gardner.

Gardner runs the Orange County Clerk of Courts office. It won one of this year's Sterling Awards.

"We're really doing a great job and we've got the numbers to prove it," said Gardner.

9 Investigates learned the clerk's office also spent almost $70,000 on workshops, training, meals and a consultant over a two-year time frame.

“We make a small investment today to pay for large efficiency, not just for today but for the future,” said Gardner.

Gardner believes the money spent will save the county money by making her office more efficient. People standing in line in the hot sun outside the clerk's office waiting to pay a traffic ticket found an efficiency award a little hard to swallow.

"They're slow upstairs when you go,” said Linda Wilson.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office also won this year. They spent $62,000 on their bid. Last year the Brevard County School District won and spent $53,000 on a consultant to help put them over the top.

"If you've got a great big check book and you like to do that, “said John Pieno, the head of the Sterling Council.

Pieno doesn't see a problem with public agencies paying consultants thousand of dollars to win the award. Besides being chairman of the Sterling Council, Pieno is also on the board of the consulting company that helped Brevard County schools win.

“Ok, I guess I'm on their board of advisors," said Pieno.

9 Investigates asked if he thought that was a conflict of interest.

“No, not at all,” said Pieno.

Pieno said he doesn't get involved with individual consultants and that he is not paid by the group. He is paid a state salary of more than $137,000 a year.

The Sterling Council is technically a non-profit but is overseen by the Governor's office.

Tax returns show the non-profit took in more than $800,000 from groups attending the banquet in 2005 and the Sterling Council plans to do it all gain next May.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office said anonymous donors paid the $4,250 for its staff to attend the awards dinner. Another donor paid for chartered buses to take the 56 employees from Ocala to Orlando.

Gardner also said her office plans to enter the competition for the Malcolm Baldrige award, which is the Sterling's national counterpart.