Signature Boston
November 8, 2022
Honorees to be Recognized at Expo! Expo! in Louisville
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) proudly announces this year’s recipients of its awards program, which recognizes outstanding contributions by IAEE members and member companies. Along with the Woman of Achievement Award winner, which was announced earlier this year, these award recipients will be honored during Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition to be held 13-15 December 2022 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Ky.
The 2022 IAEE Award Winners were selected after careful consideration and review by the IAEE Awards Committee and approval by the IAEE Board of Directors following an open call for nominations by IAEE members earlier in the year.
“We received excellent nominations for IAEE members who make extraordinary differences in our association and our industry,” said 2022 IAEE Awards Committee Chairperson Daniel McKinnon, CEM. “On behalf of the Awards Committee, I congratulate this year’s award winners and thank all IAEE members who took the time and effort to put forth their recommendations.”
The Pinnacle 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. The award was established in memory of the late Founder and Past President of IAEE (formerly NAEM) William Hunt Eisenman and is presented by IAEE in recognition of extraordinary achievement in the exhibitions and events management field.
This year’s recipient of the IAEE Pinnacle Award is Walter M.S. Yeh, who most recently served as President and CEO of TAITRA, the government agency which promotes trade development and exhibition promotion in Taiwan. He has also been at the helm of other industry associations such as the Taiwan Exhibition & Convention Association (TECA) and the Asian Federation of Convention & Exhibition Associations (AFECA) with distinction. In addition to his contributions to the exhibitions and events industry on a global scale, Yeh’s contributions to IAEE include acting as a conduit for the CEM Learning Program’s success in Taiwan, as well as supporting IAEE’s overall presence in the MICE industry for that region.
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to an IAEE member in recognition of an individual who has rendered distinguished service to IAEE and to the exhibition industry. Qualifying criteria includes extraordinary service and contributions at both the local and national levels that have furthered the growth and development of this organization. When representing IAEE, the honoree will have served as a role model for the industry. This year’s recipient is Bob Schuler, Senior Vice President, Event Sales and Operations for International Market Centers & LIGHTFAIR International.
The Chapter Merit Award recognizes IAEE members whose ideas and/or work have benefited IAEE as an organization in some special way and is generally reserved for those who have stepped forward at the chapter/local level. This year’s recipients are Tara Allen, CEM, Account Director, Freeman; Stephenie Hawkins, CEM, Director of Event Production, Informa Tech; Ronika Nash, CEM, Strategic Partnerships Director, Texas Society of Association Executives; and Sydney Rhea, CEM, Senior Event Operations Manager, Informa Markets Limited.
The Bob Dallmeyer Educator of the Year Award is presented to IAEE members who possess 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. This year’s award recipient is Dr. Kristin Malek, CMP, CED, DES, CHE, Assistant Professor/Event Management Extension Specialist, University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes IAEE members who have dedicated their time to the progress and fulfillment of the charge of a committee or task force on which they serve. This year’s award recipient is Bob Hancock, Director of Event Services, Jack Friday LLC.
The Innovative Business Solution Award recognizes achievement by an IAEE member or member organization in the creation of new and innovative business solutions. Criteria include: product/service overview; clear presentation of objectives and fulfillment of those objectives; impact on the industry, present and/or future; clear presentation of what makes the product/service innovative; growth potential; and effective use of social media. This year’s recipient is the American Association of Orthodontists Events & Education Team.
The Outstanding Marketing & Sales Award recognizes an IAEE member’s outstanding achievement in marketing and sales activities including outstanding performance in total event revenue/profit, advertising revenue, attendance, sponsorship revenue, exhibit space sales and customer service. This year’s award recipients are Lisa Lazzaretto, Director of Corporate Relations and Exhibition Services, Radiological Society of North America and the RX | JCK Sales & Marketing Team.
The Young Professional of the Year Award recognizes excellent professional performance by IAEE members 35 years of age or younger who have committed their time to advancing the standing of young professionals in our industry. This year’s award recipient is Elizabeth George, CEM, Event Lead, Content & Programming, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).
Click here to learn more about this year’s winners and click here for more details about Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2022.
About IAEE
Trusted since 1928, IAEE provides quality and value to its members through leadership, service, education and strong relationships. IAEE is the largest association of the exhibitions and events industry in the world, with a membership of show organizers, exhibitors and exhibition suppliers. Organizers of more than 20,000 exhibitions and buyer-seller events around the world are members of IAEE, and the organization advocates and promotes the awareness of face-to-face exhibitions and events as the primary medium for business development and growth. IAEE provides relevant, timely and innovative education to its members and the industry. IAEE recognizes its strategic partners: 4imprint, Convention News Television (CNTV), eShow, Freeman, GES | onPeak, Grit Productions and Expositions, IMEX, New Orleans & Company, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and Risk Strategies Company | Buttine Insurance. Visit www.iaee.com for more information.
Media Inquiries:
Mary Tucker
Sr. Communications & Content Manager
+1(972) 687-9226
mtucker@iaee.com
