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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

Robert Kolinek

Scholarship Criteria

Requirements:

  • Must be a full-time student enrolled at an accredited college, university, junior or technical college
  • Must be enrolled in a degree program focusing on exhibition/event management
  • Minimum 3.0 grade point average on 4.0 scale
  • Completed Helen Brett Scholarship Application
  • Resume
  • Two letters of recommendation by faculty and/or from exhibition industry leader
  • Official transcript
  • One page essay submission (500-1,000 words) on an explanation of your goals and desired roles in the exhibitions and events industry
  • Consideration to attend Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition
  • Graduate Student Applicants are ineligible to receive scholarship monies should their graduate assistant position be fully funded by their college/university or any other external funding source
  • All paperwork must be received at the IAEE office by 5/1

The scholarship includes:

  • Up to $5,000 in tuition assistance
  • Consideration for potential candidates to have an internship experience at the Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition

Submit application and required materials to:

Helen Brett Scholarship
12700 Park Central Dr Ste 308
Dallas, Texas 75251 USA

Contact: Jaeryn Smith
Phone: (608)-886-5828
Email: Jsmith@iaee.com

Questions?
Contact: Jaeryn Smith
Phone: (608)-886-5828
Email: Jsmith@iaee.com

A selection committee comprised of IAEE Faculty Advisory Task Force members and staff will review and rate the applications, and scholarship awards will be based solely on these ratings. Scholarship recipients will be announced by 1 July.

Applications accepted 1 March 2023 – 1 May 2023

Submit online application here

2022 Scholarship Recipients

Undergraduate Students

Irene DeLinggo

Kelly Fong

Veronica Goodstein-Loughrin

Jessica Hay

Samuel (Harrison) Jones

Quang Huy Le

Callie Main

Natasha Pasui

Skye Richardson

Maddy Thibodeaux

Graduate Students

Hailee Austin

Maria Ziyi Wu

Ph.D. Candidates

Jihye Park

Emily Zirbes