International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) called for nominations for its annual awards program to recognize exceptional professionals in the exhibitions and events industry.
Each year, industry professionals who meet the outlined criteria can be nominated for any of the awards listed at www.iaee.com/awards. Nominations must be submitted to IAEE by Jun. 13.
“One of the best perks in working in this industry is the number of motivated, passionate professionals involved,” said David Audrain, CEM, awards committee chair, IAEE. “You see this in newcomers, veterans and everyone in between. The IAEE Awards Committee highly encourages everyone to nominate their colleagues and deserving individuals for one of these prestigious awards.”
New this year, the Educator of the Year Award was renamed to the Bob Dallmeyer Educator of the Year Award, in honor of industry veteran who passed away in February. Dallmeyer dedicated hundreds of hours to educating professionals at all stages of their careers by teaching exhibition management and the CEM Learning Program around the world.
“Bob’s commitment to, and love for, our industry has helped shape it to what it has become today,” noted Audrain. “There are literally thousands of exhibitions and events professionals among us today who have benefitted from Bob’s enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge and expertise.”
These awards represent IAEE’s highest honors:
- Pinnacle Award (formerly the William Hunt Eisenman 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.
- Distinguished Service Award – presented to IAEE members who have rendered distinguished service to IAEE and to the exhibitions and events industry as a whole.
- Merit Award – presented to IAEE members whose ideas and/or work have benefited IAEE as an organization in some special way and is generally reserved for individuals who have stepped forward at the chapter/local level.
- Bob Dallmeyer Educator of the Year Award – recognizes an IAEE member who possesses 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. Educators include IAEE-education speakers, industry speakers, university professors and CEM faculty members.
- IAEE Committee/Task Force Volunteer of the Year Award – presented to an individual who has dedicated his/her time to the progress and fulfillment of the charge of a committee or task force on which they serve.
- Outstanding Achievement in Industry Leadership Award – recognizes an individual(s) who has made an extraordinary personal or professional commitment that materially contributes to the advancement of the exhibitions and events industry, and demonstrates how voluntary leadership can enhance or change the industry.
- Outstanding Achievement in Innovation in Business Solutions Award – recognizes the achievement in the creation of new and innovative business solutions.
- Outstanding Achievement in Marketing & Sales Award – recognizes outstanding achievement in marketing and sales activities.
- Rookie of the Year Award – recognizes excellent professional performance by an individual with three or less years of full-time exhibitions and events industry experience.
- Young Professional of the Year Award – recognizes an individual who is 40 years of age or younger. It recognizes excellent professional performance by someone who has committed his/her time to advancing the standing of young professionals in our industry.
The IAEE awards committee reviews nominations and discusses each candidate’s qualifications in depth, prior to recommending its selections to the IAEE board of directors. The final selections, chosen by the board, are based on merit.
Recipients must have a proven track record and have forged new ground in the chapter, IAEE and/or the industry. Honorees will be recognized at Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition to be held Dec. 9-11 in Los Angeles.
