IAEE announces 2009 Call for Individual Award nominations nominations due June 16

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.

IAEE's 2009 Art of the Show Competition
entries now accepted

Submissions deadline is 17 July 2009

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.

The competition includes 14 categories of competition for three show sizes: less than 50,000 net square feet (nsf)/ 15,240 net square meters (nsm), 50,000-150,000 nsf/15,240-45,720 nsm and over 150,000 nsf/45,720 nsm. One first place winner and one honorable mention are selected for each category. Click here to read the categories.

Springtime Expo valuable learning, networking opportunity for seasoned and young professionals

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The largest one-day hospitality show for meeting professionals, ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership's Springtime Expo, is back early this year, April 16, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

The 2009 event is taking a previously tested approach-education sessions and brunch will precede an afternoon of exposition featuring hospitality vendors and destinations from across the country. Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, stars of the Emmy-nominated "Whose Line Is It Anyway," will perform an impromptu stand-up comedy show based on suggestions they receive from the audience.

Gary Hirshberg, chairman, president and CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm, will open the all-day event with "On a Mission: Integrating Business Practices With Social Responsibility," a trailblazer session focused on broad business-operation tactics that benefit organizations' bottom line by implementing socially responsible practices.

A new Springtime CEO Power Breakfast, an exclusive event for C-suite association executives, will feature Denise Coll, president of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide North American Division, and John H. Graham IV, CAE, president and CEO of ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership, who will share their insight on association leadership and trends impacting the association community.

Prior to the event, ASAE & The Center will host Springtime UnPlugged, a first-ever networking event for young professionals, on April 15. "Our events are all about networking and meeting people," said Amy Ledoux, CMP, CAE, vice president of meetings and expositions at ASAE & The Center. "With a growing number of young professionals and their involvement in our community, we wanted to give them an opportunity to mingle, meet each other and exchange ideas on best practices and their overall experience in planning of meetings and events. Networking is an essential part of our events and we want to make sure everyone has a chance to participate."

This year, the show is intended to draw meeting professionals from the association, corporate, government and independent sectors involved in planning of meetings, events, education sessions and trade shows. Exhibitors represent airlines, audio/visual products, auto rental, CVBs, destination management companies, general service contractors, hotels/resorts, insurance, promotional products, registration services, speaker bureaus and transportation services.

"Another year, another outstanding event. For 33 years, ASAE & The Center's Springtime Expo has been one of the most valuable events for meeting professionals and the hospitality industry, and this, more so than ever before, is the best way to expose your organization and make a connection with fellow attendees, exhibitors and industry partners," said Graham.

Registration to the 2009 Springtime Expo is only $95 for ASAE & The Center members and $110 for nonmembers, before April 1. For more information about the event or to register, visit www.asaecenter.org/springtime2009.