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.

2024 Scholarship Recipients

Undergraduate Students

Graduate Students

Winner of 2024 Internship at the Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition

Mollie is a senior studying Hospitality with an Events concentration in the Driehaus College of Business at DePaul University. She was born and raised in New Orleans. She is currently working as a conference planning intern for the Ruff Institute of Global Homelessness and as a Restaurant Supervisor for City Cruises. Mollie has six years of experience working in the hospitality industry and she believes in the power of events to connect people. Her career goal is to work as a meeting planner for a large association.