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., CEM
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.
2026 Scholarship Recipients
Undergraduate Students
Allison Segarra
University of Houston
Amanda Jagwandan
University of Central Florida
Andrii Larkin
Georgia State University
Caroline Wilkins
Auburn University
Eva Lubben
Iowa State University
Graydin Frankel
University of Central Florida
Hosoo Yeo
Texas A&M University
Isabelle Gates
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Ivy Huang
Georgia State University
Kimberly Berduo-Velasquez
Delaware State University
Lilly Kassinger
Washington State University
Lily Daecher
Pennsylvania State University
Madison Edwards
Texas A&M University
Madison Judd
Boston University
Paige Putnam
DePaul University
Sarah DeCorte
Stephen F Austin State University
Shaylyn Bratcher
Georgia State University
Siena Santamaria
High Point University
Sophia Papaleo
University of Houston
Yael Plinik
University of Central Florida
Graduate Students
Linan Zhang
Iowa State University
Qingrou Lin
Iowa State University
Sean Stouffer
San Diego State University
Veronica Flug
Iowa State University
Winner of 2026 Internship at the Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition
“My name is Shaylyn Bratcher, and I am a student at Georgia State University majoring in Business Management with a minor in Hospitality Administration. While born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, I have developed a strong passion for travel, hospitality, and global experiences through studying abroad in Europe twice, including a semester in Paris, France. Over the past year, I have become increasingly involved in the events and exhibitions industry through hands-on experience, including interning with a dental conference hosting more than 10,000 attendees and most recently serving as an Events and Exhibits Intern with Freeman. These opportunities have strengthened my passion for the hospitality and events industry as I prepare to graduate in December 2026. I am incredibly grateful to receive this scholarship, and I am excited to contribute to and learn from the Expo! Expo! team and the professionals within IAEE.”
Shaylyn Bratcher
Georgia State University