DALLAS — Each year, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events recognizes and awards professionals in the exhibitions and events industry for their contributions. Industry professionals can be nominated for any of the awards as long as they meet the criteria outlined by IAEE, found at www.iaee.com/awards.

Nominations must be submitted to IAEE by 16 June 2009. These awards represent IAEE's highest honors:

• Pinnacle Award — recognizes an individual 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.
• Distinguished Service Award — presented to IAEE members who have rendered distinguished service to IAEE and to the exhibitions and events industry as a whole
• Merit Award — presented to those whose ideas and/or work have benefited IAEE as an organization in some special way and is generally reserved for individuals who have stepped forward at the chapter/local level.
• Outstanding Achievement in Industry Leadership — recognizes an individual(s) who has made an extraordinary personal or professional commitment that materially contributes to the advancement of the exhibitions and events industry, and demonstrates how voluntary leadership can enhance or change the industry.
• Outstanding Achievement in Innovation in Business Solutions — recognizes the achievement in the creation of new and innovative business solutions.
• Outstanding Achievement in Marketing & Sales, Show Management — recognizes outstanding achievement of show management in marketing and sales activities.
• Outstanding Achievement in Marketing & Sales, Supplier — recognizes outstanding achievement, including customer service, of suppliers to the exhibitions and events industry.
• Rookie of the Year, Show Manager and Supplier — recognizes two individuals, with three or less years of full-time exhibitions and events industry experience, who demonstrate excellent professional performance.

The IAEE Awards Committee reviews nominations, discussing each candidate's qualifications in depth, prior to recommending its selections to the IAEE Board of Directors. The final selections, chosen by the Board, are based on merit. Recipients must have a proven track record and have forged new ground in the chapter, IAEE and/or the industry. Honorees will be recognized at Expo! Expo! IAEE's Annual Meeting & Exhibition to be held 8-10 December 2009 in Atlanta, Ga.

Information about the 2009 IAEE Individual Awards, including nomination forms for download, can be found at www.iaee.com/awards.

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DALLAS —  The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) is now accepting entries for its 2009 Art of the Show competition. The Art of the Show provides a stage for defining excellence in the quality of promotional materials and setting the standards for the industry. The competition awards those who show excellence in the development of promotion for their exhibitions and events.

From the first-place entries, judges typically choose the top submission for the Best of Show recognition. This entry truly reflects the very best of the annual Art of the Show competition and is sponsored by the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau and Orange County Convention Center.

"We are thrilled and honored that we have won Best of Show!" said Mark Bailey, president of Oscar & Associates Inc., IAEE's Art of the Show: Best of Show Winner 2008. "Thank you to IAEE bestowing us with this prestigious award."

One of the broadest categories of the competition is Industry Promotion, in which most anyone can participate. The category consists of an advertisement or campaign (downloaded from IAEE with either ready-made or with original graphics inserted) used by an organization to promote the exhibitions and events industry as a whole. Industry promotion ads are available at this resource link.

The ad/campaign must have appeared in an industry trade publication, onsite guide, Web site, signage or other marketing collateral for an exhibition or event. More details are available at www.iaee.com/aos.