Janet Sperstad, CMP-F Receives IAEE Pinnacle Award
submitted by IAEE
DALLAS, Tx.– The International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) proudly announces this year’s winners of its IAEE Awards Program, which recognizes outstanding contributions by IAEE members and member companies. The 2024 IAEE Award Winners were selected after careful consideration and review by the IAEE Awards Committee and approval by the IAEE Board of Directors following an open call for nominations by IAEE members earlier in the year.
“The caliber of this year’s award recipients truly exemplifies excellence in the exhibitions and events industry,” said 2024 IAEE Awards Committee Chairperson Bob O’Connell, Senior Director of Business Development at GES. “Each of our 2024 honorees has demonstrated exceptional dedication to elevating our profession.”
“These awards celebrate the individuals who drive our industry forward through their unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and professional development,” added IAEE President and CEO Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM. “We’re proud to honor our 2024 award recipients, who truly embody IAEE’s mission to advance the exhibitions and events industry.”
The Pinnacle Award recognizes an IAEE member who, over the years, has furthered IAEE’s objectives of advancing exhibitions and events management through the promotion of education, the dissemination of knowledge, and the introduction or development of innovative techniques, and who has been dedicated to the perpetuation of the highest ideals, trust and professionalism in this highly specialized field. The award was established in memory of the late Founder and Past President of IAEE (formerly NAEM) William Hunt Eisenman and is presented by IAEE in recognition of extraordinary achievement in the exhibitions and events management field.
This year’s recipient is Janet Sperstad, CMP-Fellow, Faculty Emerita at Madison College. With more than 30 years in the industry, Sperstad has been influential and impactful in advancing many IAEE and other industry initiatives. Her professional and academic career has centered on elevating the exhibitions and events industry. Sperstad has served as an outstanding leader, role model, mentor, colleague and friend to many, meriting this distinguished honor.
“Having known Janet for over 20 years, I can attest to her unparalleled passion for education,” noted Flanagan. “Her work as a thought leader and educator, along with her efforts to secure government recognition for exhibition and event professionals, has made a lasting impact on our field.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award is a special award recognizing an IAEE member who has changed, during the course of their career, the direction of the industry and has made a significant impact on how the industry operates. This award is not subject to the open call for nominations; nominees can only be put forth by members of the IAEE Awards Committee or Board of Directors.
This year’s recipient is Linda Wineski, Founder and President of Convention Plant Creations, Inc. She is being honored for her innovative thinking, resilience and steadfast commitment over nearly four decades of service to the industry and IAEE.
The Bob Dallmeyer Educator of the Year Award is presented to 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 Josie Z. Caldwell, CEM-AP, DES, Senior Client Relationship Director at Freeman and Dr. Chin-Hsun (Ken) Tsai, Assistant Professor at Iowa State University.
The Cathy Breden Woman of Achievement Award recognizes a woman who has led the way in the advancement of women in the exhibitions and events industry, exhibited outstanding leadership, and made significant contributions to the industry and her community.
This year’s recipient is Gwen Venable, CEM, Executive Vice President, Expo and Communication Services at the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.
The Chapter Merit Award recognizes IAEE members 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 Scott Crawford, CEM, Senior Vice President, Business Development at GES; Sarah Griffin, CEM, Event Manager, Pharma Brand US at Informa Markets Limited; Christen Tye, CEM, Content Manager at World Pet Association, Inc.; and Brendon Winters, Vice President of Business Development at AmericanAV.
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to an IAEE member in recognition of an individual who has rendered distinguished service to IAEE and to the exhibition industry. Qualifying criteria includes extraordinary service and contributions at local, national and/or international levels that have furthered the growth and development of the organization. When representing IAEE, the honoree will have served as a role model for the industry.
This year’s recipient is Shirly Song, Deputy General Manager at Chongqing Yuelai Investment Group Co., Ltd.
The Humanitarian Award recognizes an IAEE member who demonstrates commitment to equality and social responsibility, and exemplifies unselfish giving to the well-being of humanity.
This year’s recipient is Julie Pazina, CEM-AP, Vice President of Business Development at Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services.
The Innovative Business Solution Award recognizes achievement by an IAEE member or member organization in the creation of new and innovative business solutions.
This year’s recipient is Fill it Forward for its commitment to reducing single-use waste through innovative, sustainable products like reusable water bottles, cups, and bags.
The Outstanding Marketing & Sales Award recognizes an IAEE member’s outstanding achievement in marketing and sales activities including outstanding performance in total event revenue/profit, advertising revenue, attendance, sponsorship revenue, exhibit space sales and customer service.
This year’s recipient is Richard Smith, Senior Sales Manager at Informa Markets/World of Concrete.
The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes IAEE members who have dedicated their time to the progress and fulfillment of the charge of a committee or task force on which they serve.
This year’s recipient is Leigh Ann Simpson, CMP, Manager of Registration and Housing at the Society of Biblical Literature.
The Young Professional of the Year Award recognizes excellent professional performance by IAEE members 35 years of age or younger who have committed their time to advancing the standing of young professionals in our industry.
This year’s recipient is Carly Heideger, CEM, Associate Vice President, Exhibits and Sponsorships at MCI USA.
This year’s winners will be celebrated at the awards ceremony held during Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition on 16-19 December 2024 in Los Angeles, Calif. Click here to learn more about the IAEE Awards.
About IAEE
Trusted since 1928, IAEE provides quality and value to its members through leadership, service, education and strong relationships. IAEE is the largest association of the exhibitions and events industry in the world, with a membership of show organizers, exhibitors and exhibition suppliers. Organizers of more than 20,000 exhibitions and buyer-seller events around the world are members of IAEE, and the organization advocates and promotes the awareness of face-to-face exhibitions and events as the primary medium for business development and growth. IAEE provides relevant, timely and innovative education to its members and the industry. IAEE recognizes its strategic partners: 4imprint, Convention News Television (CNTV), eShow, Freeman, GES | onPeak, Grit Productions and Expositions, IMEX, New Orleans & Company, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Risk Strategies Company | Buttine Insurance and Snöball. Visit www.iaee.com for more information.
