IAEE Announces Individual Award Winners

November 27, 2011

Individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the exhibitions and events industry have been named by the International Association of Exhibitions & Events and will be feted at the organization’s upcoming Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition Dec. 6-8 in Las Vegas.

The IAEE Individual Awards winners includes Gary Sain, president and CEO of Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, who will receive Chariman’s Award, given to someone whose assistance to the IAEE chairman has been meritorious.

Recipients are recognized for going above and beyond in their service to the IAEE Chairman by helping grow both national and international relationships.

Sain is being honored for his dedication on the IAEE Board of Directors and “his extraordinary efforts in raising the necessary funds to launch the IAEE Public Relations Campaign,” according to IAEE officials.

"Charged with developing a strategic campaign to promote the value of face-to-face events, the dedication of IAEE's Public Relations Task Force members to their mission has been remarkable," said IAEE Chairman Vinnie Polito.

He added, "In turn, the campaign's successful implementation was wholly dependent on having sufficient capital for skillful execution, and Gary's quick, enthusiastic and steadfast efforts will now make it possible."

Several more individuals will be honored for their contributions to IAEE:

- The Merit Award, which recognizes those whose ideas and/or work have benefited IAEE as an organization on the chapter level, will be given to Barry Brown, national sales manager at Freeman, and Barbara Stroup.

- The Educator of the Year Award, which honors 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, will be given to Bob Dallmeyer, president of RD International.

- The Committee/Task Force Volunteer of the Year Award, which honors an individual who has dedicated his or her time to the progress and fulfillment of the charge of a committee or task force on which he or she serves, will be given to Julie Nelson, account executive at Convention Data Services.

- Outstanding Achievement in Marketing & Sales Award, which  recognizes outstanding achievement by show management in marketing and sales activities, will be given to Lenny Heymann, executive vice president and group general manager at UBM TechWech.

- The Young Professional of the Year Award will debut this year and honors individuals in the exhibitions and events industry 40 years of age or younger who have committed his/her time to advancing the standing of young professionals in our industry. This year’s recipients are Greg McCormack, account manager at The Expo Group and Julie Pazina, national sales manager for Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services.

"The awards committee reviewed several excellent candidates and is proud to honor these individuals, as they represent the best of the industry," said 2011 IAEE Awards Committee Chairman Brian Monroe.

He added, "I also congratulate those who put forth the time and effort to submit nominations and recognize the efforts of their fellow industry members."

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact