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The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) proudly announces this year’s recipients of the IAEE Individual Awards. IAEE’s awards program recognizes professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the exhibitions and events industry. The winners will be honored during Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition to be held 7-9 December 2010 in New Orleans, La.
The Chairman’s Award honors an individual whose assistance to the IAEE chairman has been meritorious. There is no open call or vote for this award, instead recommendations may only be put forward by the IAEE chairman and must be approved by the IAEE board of directors. Recipients are recognized for going above and beyond in their service to the IAEE chairman by helping grow both national and international relationships.
This year’s honoree is Antonio Brito, CEM, CEO of NewEvents headquartered in Portugal. Brito joined IAEE in May 2001 as a show organizer who conducts events in Portugal and Spain. He earned his CEM designation in 2006 and has served as a member of the European Advisory Committee and CEM Commission. Seeing an opportunity to expand IAEE’s reach in Europe, Brito asked that IAEE offer the CEM designation in Spain and Portugal, and volunteered to coordinate the program there. In 2007, he began teaching CEM courses in Spain and Portugal under a co-location agreement with IAEE. In addition to teaching the courses, he assumes the responsibilities of recruiting students, promoting the program, arranging for facilities and site requirements, and supervising all testing. He has become a superb mentor to his students and in June 2010, the first CEM designations were awarded in Spain and Portugal with each country boasting five new CEMs. Brito remains committed to continuing the program and has volunteered to help launch the CEM Learning Program in Brazil.
"The results we are achieving in Spain and Portugal are due largely to the initiative and contributions of Antonio," says IAEE Chairman Chris Meyer, CEM, CMP. "His dedication and tenacity continue to push IAEE forward in the international community, and I am honored to present him with this award."
The remaining award winners were chosen after careful consideration and review by the IAEE Awards Committee and the IAEE Board of Directors, following an open call for nominations earlier in the year.
"The two new categories added this year – Educator of the Year and Committee/Task Force Volunteer of the Year – received such a great response that there is no doubt we remain a growing industry," says 2010 IAEE Awards Committee Chair Karen Howe, CEM. "I congratulate this year’s award recipients, nominees and those who submitted nominations for their accomplishments and enthusiasm."
Thirty nominations were considered this year, from which the following 13 outstanding individuals were selected for recognition:
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to IAEE members who have rendered distinguished service to IAEE and the exhibitions and events industry as a whole. This year’s recipients are David Audrain, CEM, president & CEO of Messe Frankfurt North America and Patrick Buchen, CEM, president & CEO of Adjuvant Expos, Inc.
The Merit Award recognizes those whose ideas and/or work have benefited IAEE as an organization in some special way and is generally reserved for those who have stepped forward at the chapter/local level. This year’s recipients are Kevin Gaffney, group show director for Nielsen Business Media; Jan Goldsmith, executive director of research for Exhibit Surveys, Inc.; Patrick McGuire, national account manager for Freeman; and Christine Stephan, CEM, director of exhibits for Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals.
The Educator of the Year Award category made its debut in 2010, honors IAEE members who possess outstanding creativity, a positive attitude and the ability to transfer knowledge through good communication skills and innovative teaching to promote life-long learning to exhibitions and events industry professionals. This year’s recipients are Christine Fletcher, CEM, executive producer at Encore Event Management and Carleton C. Rogers, CEM, adjunct professor at Roosevelt University.
Another new category this year is the Committee/Task Force Volunteer of the Year, which honors an individual who has dedicated his or her time to the progress and fulfillment of the charge of a committee or task force on which he or she serves. This year’s recipient is Daniel McKinnon, CEM, executive vice president of Messe Frankfurt North America for his work on the IAEE Education Committee.
The Outstanding Achievement in Industry Leadership Award recognizes an individual who has made an extraordinary personal or professional commitment that materially contributes to the advancement of the exhibitions and events industry. Recognition will demonstrate how voluntary leadership can enhance or change the industry. This year’s recipient is William (Bill) Glasgow, Sr., president of William T. Glasgow, Inc.
The Outstanding Achievement in Marketing & Sales, Show Management Award recognizes outstanding achievement by show management in marketing and sales activities such as total event revenue and profit, attendance, exhibit space sales, advertising revenue and sponsorship revenue. Merit is based on achievement of defined objectives, including measurable comparable metrics. This year’s winner is Allison Germaneso Dixon, MBA in the 50,001-250,000 nsf show size category.
The Outstanding Achievement in Marketing & Sales, Supplier Award recognizes achievement by suppliers in marketing and sales activities including customer service, return on investment in marketing efforts, functionality, affordability, sales figures and yearly performance. This year’s winner is the GES National Servicenter.
The Rookie of the Year, Supplier Award recognizes excellent professional performance by an individual with three or less years of full time experience in the exhibitions and events industry. This year’s recipient is Doug Trowjanowski, developer and field engineer for Tradeshow Multimedia.
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