The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) announced the first recipients of its newest award, the IAEE International Excellence Award, during the IMEX Frankfurt awards dinner on May 21, in Frankfurt, Germany.
IAEE, the largest association of the exhibitions and events industry in the world, presented the honors to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and Cherif Moujabber, president, Creative Expos & Conferences Inc. The award recognizes an individual and/or organization that has made exceptional strides in creating, launching and managing an international event in the exhibitions and events industry on an international scale.
“The IAEE awards committee was very pleased to have some excellent submissions for this new award,” said IAEE committee chairperson David Audrain, CEM,. “Selecting a winner in both the organization and individual categories was a unanimous decision – these winners epitomize the very highest levels of excellence and success in our industry.”
“It was a great honor to recognize IAAPA and Cherif’s accomplishments,” said IAEE President and CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA. “Their outstanding work across international markets shows just how powerful the exhibitions and events industry is on a global scale.”
IAAPA is the premier trade association for the attractions industry worldwide. Founded in 1918, it is the largest international trade association for permanently located amusement parks and attractions, dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the attractions industry.
A nonprofit organization that provides a number of resources for attractions industry professionals , revenue generated for the association by its involvement in tradeshows and other activities are returned to the association to fund services for its members and the industry.
“IAAPA is delighted to be named recipient of the IAEE International Excellence Award,” said Paul Noland, president and CEO, IAAPA. “IAAPA’s global exhibitions are hallmarks of our association – they allow members of the attractions industry around the world to experience educational opportunities, network with peers and to discover innovative products, services and technologies that drive our industry now and in the future.
“We are sincerely honored to receive this award from IAEE and appreciate the industry’s recognition of our global events.”
Cherif Moujabber, president of Creative Expos & Conferences Inc., first joined Horizon House organizing telecommunications shows worldwide. In 1981, he joined Reed Exhibitions in the U.S., then Singapore as vice president for AsiaPacific.
Moujabber joined World Expo Corporation as president and CEO in 1989. In 1993, he founded Creative Expos & Conferences (CEC). CEC helps clients recruit more foreign exhibitors and visitors and helps them take their shows overseas. CEC clients include ASIS, Fancy Food shows, Advanstar, Toy Industry Association and NAHB.
“I am honored and delighted to receive this new, prestigious international excellence award,” Moujabber said. “It is always humbling and gratifying when your work is validated by peers worldwide.”
IAEE is accepting nominations for its individual awards program, which recognizes exceptional professionals in the exhibitions and events industry across 10 categories. For complete details and to nominate a colleague, visit iaee.com/awards.
