Each year a committee of exhibition industry peers accepts nominations, and then screens and recommends to the IAEE Board of Directors persons in the industry whose efforts have contributed to the overall industry. I am proud to reveal the list of individuals who will be recognized at Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Houston, TX. The awards program will be held at the IAEE Annual Networking Luncheon and Awards Presentation on Thursday, 12 December.
Pinnacle Award
Rossi Ralenkotter
President & CEO
Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
Distinguished Service Award
John Patronski
Executive Vice President – Industry Development
Global Experience Specialists (GES)
Merit Award
Gerry Eng
National Sales Manager
Georgia World Congress Center
Mel Forehand, CEM, CMP
Vice President of Expositions and Events
Texas Restaurant Association
Mark Sussman
Director, Trade Show Sales
Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
Educator of the Year Award
Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes, CEM
President
Marketing Design Group (mdg)
Outstanding Achievement in Industry Leadership Award
Don Vaughn
President
The Augusta Group
Outstanding Achievement in Innovation in Business Solutions Award
Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) and Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA)
Outstanding Achievement in Marketing & Sales Award
Melissa Ooi
Executive Vice President
ASP Inc
Young Professional of the Year Award
Rebecca Orens, CEM
Senior Specialist, Exhibits
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
On behalf of the IAEE Board of Directors and the Awards Committee, congratulations to each of these deserving individuals!