Helen Brett Scholarship
Each year, scholarships are awarded to individuals who are exploring the study of exhibitions and events management with the end goal of advancing their careers in this field.
Scholarship History
The Helen Brett scholarship was established by Robert Kolinek, CEM, CMP and named for his grandmother, Helen Brett, who was a pioneer in the trade show industry. The purpose of the scholarship is to assist individuals who are enrolled in an accredited college, university, junior or technical college with a focus on the study of exhibition and event management. The scholarship serves to promote the exhibitions and events industry by attracting college level students into the field of study and encouraging their pursuit with financial support.
Scholarships are awarded competitively based upon pursuit of a degreed major focusing on exhibition and/or event management. If within a hospitality program, the focus of study should be the exhibitions and events industry as determined by the review of the submitted official transcripts.
My grandmother, Helen Brett, was one of the first female trade show organizers in the industry. As a third generation family business owner I am very proud to continue her legacy through awarding scholarships to those who share my grandmother’s passion for trade shows.
- Robert Kolinek, President & CEO, Helen Brett Enterprises
Scholarship Criteria
Requirements:
- Must be a full-time undergraduate OR graduate student enrolled at an accredited college, university, junior or technical college. Graduate student applicants are ineligible to receive scholarship monies should their graduate assistant position be fully funded by their college/university of any other external funding source
- Must be enrolled in a degree program focusing on exhibition or event management. This must be noted on transcript or other documentation such as an admissions letter. Other majors will not be accepted unless it is demonstrated throughout the application documentation in several areas such as job experience, coursework, recommendation letters, activities, etc. that one is entering the exhibition or event industry after graduation. For a list of colleges/universities, go here.
- Minimum 3.25 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
- Completed application with supporting documents must be received online by the deadline.
- Supporting items include:
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation on letterhead by faculty and/or event/exhibition/hospitality industry leaders. This must note their title and contact information as well as this scholarship or a general To Whom It May Concern or Scholarship Committee or similar.
- Transcript – This must note your degree program as above or provide other documentation such as admissions letter.
- Essay submission (500-1,000 words) explaining goals and desired role in the events/exhibitions/hospitality industry and how the Helen Brett Scholarship would help.
- Please have all supporting items ready to submit at the time of the application process as there is no save for later ability.
The scholarship includes:
- Up to $1,000 in tuition assistance
- Consideration for potential candidates to have an internship experience at the Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition
Questions?
Beverly Benbow, M.Sc.
Director of Governance
A selection committee comprised of IAEE Faculty Advisory Committee members will review and rate the applications, and scholarship awards will be based solely on these ratings. Scholarship recipients will be announced this summer.
2025 Scholarship Recipients
Undergraduate Students
Abigail Cantrell
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Akanksha Jha
The University of Texas at Austin
Alana May
Louisiana State University
Allison Segarra
University of Houston
Amanda Jagwandan
University of Central Florida
Anna-Laura Whitaker
University of Houston
Arthur Henrique Queiroz de Paula
University of Central Florida
Avery Quilty
Auburn University
Dania Maria Alvarado Soler
University of Central Florida
Desiree Robertson
Georgia State University
Ellee Marsh
Stephen F. Austin State University
Ellyse Laren McChensey
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Erin Flores
University of North Texas
EunSeo Ko
Grace College
Haley Herbolsheimer
Montana State University
Juhi Sawant
Georgia State University
Kayce Ford
Stephen F. Austin University
Kyra White
Iowa State University
Lauren de Pena
University of Denver
Morgan Berger
Ohio University
Sarah Geffen
University of Denver
Shah Fabian
Eastern Illinois University
Skylar Dryden
San Diego State University
Graduate Students
Angelika Bazarnik
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Maria Molitor
University of Sioux Falls
Margaret Thompson
New York University
Winner of 2025 Internship at the Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition
I am Desiree Robertson, a rising Senior pursing a BBA in Hospitality Administration at Georgia State University. I am a Georgia native, growing up in Gwinnett and my love for attending events both local and large, such as our annual Suwanee Fest where I volunteered and UGA football games gave me my love for event organization and operations, which is what I desire to pursue post-graduation. I served as the GSU IAEE Chapter’s Events Chair in 2024, leaving briefly to complete my internship as Student CEO of the GSU Saxbys Cafe for Spring 2025 and I am eager to return. I am beyond grateful for this scholarship and opportunity and cannot wait to work alongside the Expo! Expo! team.
Desiree Robertson
Georgia State University