IAEE Announces 2025 Award Winners

DALLAS – 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 2025 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 to IAEE members earlier in the year.

“This year’s award recipients represent the very best of our industry,” said IAEE President and CEO Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM. “They are leaders who have not only achieved remarkable professional success but have also dedicated themselves to advancing the exhibitions and events community as a whole. Each honoree exemplifies the innovation, professionalism and collaborative spirit that defines IAEE.”

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.

This year’s recipient is Dennis Smith, CEO/Managing Director of NuernbergMesse North America. For more than 20 years, Smith has demonstrated exceptional leadership and volunteer service across numerous committees and leadership positions, including serving as IAEE Chairperson in 2023. His dedication to elevating industry professionalism, education and knowledge sharing, and championing the highest standards have established him as an exemplary leader in the exhibitions and events industry.

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 year’s recipient is Bob Priest-Heck, Former Chief Executive Officer of Freeman (recently retired). Priest-Heck has delivered 30+ years of transformative leadership and strategic vision, fundamentally shaping the exhibitions and events industry. His proven track record of driving operational excellence, championing digital innovation, and fostering purpose-driven organizational cultures has positioned him as a pioneering force who successfully guided the industry through critical transformations and market disruptions, establishing new standards for data-driven decision making and strategic planning.

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 Matthew Kalb, CMP, CEM-AP, Vice President, Client Experience for T3 Expo and Dr. Thomas C. Padron, CMP, CHE, CWP, Professor and Program Coordinator – Hospitality and Tourism at California State University, East Bay.

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 Kara Dao, CEM Fellow, Chief Operating Officer of JDC Events.

The Chapter Merit Award recognizes IAEE members who step forward to advance the goals and objectives of their local chapter, as well as exemplify IAEE’s mission and objectives.

This year’s recipients are Tara Brashear, Sales Manager for Shepard; Ryan Lovell, CEM-AP, Associate Environmental Producer for Freeman; Kristin Martinez, CEM, CMP, Vice President, Events of Fast Forward Event Productions; and Julie Sullivan, CMP, CEM, Vice President, Business Development of ACIS Group.

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to IAEE members who have 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.

This year’s recipients are Robyn Davis, CPTD, CEM, Trade Show Trainer/Consultant for Exhibitors WINH LLC and Susan D. Haning, CEM, CMP, Industry Relationships Director for Freeman.

The Emerging Leader of the Year Award commends members who are newcomers to the industry and are motivated to not only excel in their career in exhibitions and events, but who are also passionate about advocating on behalf of IAEE and the industry.

This year’s recipient is Jackie Gronske, CEM, Senior Manager, Exhibits and Sponsorships for The American Institute of Architects (AIA).

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 Honeycomb Strategies for its HIVE (Honeycomb Insights for Venues and Events), a groundbreaking data management platform that transforms the complex challenge of sustainability tracking into an intuitive, actionable process for the exhibitions and events industry.

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 Leslie Johnson, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Visit Milwaukee.

This year’s winners will be celebrated at the awards ceremony held during Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition on 8-10 December 2025 in Houston, Texas. 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, Snöball and Swapcard. Visit www.iaee.com for more information.