International Association of Exhibitions and Events Names "20 Under 30" Award Honorees

October 28, 2012

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events is reaching out to bring younger attendees to the organization’s Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting & Exhibition by naming the “20 Under 30” award honorees, who will receive free registration and lodging for three nights when the event runs in December in Orlando.

The “20 Under 30” program provides education for professional growth in the exhibitions and events industry and helps program participants become better, more productive employees.

The award program is sponsored by the Austin (Texas) Convention & Visitors Bureau and Austin Convention Center.

"This really is the opportunity of a lifetime for a professional at this stage of his or her development," said IAEE President David DuBois.

He added, "We cannot think of a better way to introduce young exhibitions and events professionals to the industry than by giving them the all-encompassing experience that is Expo! Expo!. The abundance of education sessions, exposure to products and services providers and networking opportunities is an excellent start to a fulfilling career in this industry."

More than 40 applications were received and reviewed by a five-person panel of industry veterans who were evaluating applicants’ answers to the following questions:

What influenced you to join the exhibitions and events community?
What is your proudest accomplishment to this day?
What do you hope to take away from Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition?
As a future exhibitions and events industry organizer leader, what area(s) do you deem necessary for future success in this competitive marketplace?

The following individuals were selected as this year’s 20 Under 30:

Jennifer Collins, conference nanager, SHRM – Atlanta, managed by Meeting Expectations
Kristin Dacey, marketing specialist, IDG World Expo
Cindy Dixon, digital product specialist, Hanley Wood Exhibitions
Jessica Gago, associate marketing manager, Fast Forward Event Productions
Danielle Garvey, assistant manager, Convention Operations, National Restaurant Association
Holly Hart, associate marketing manager, Hanley Wood Exhibitions
Vanessa Heavens, conference experience specialist, MRA Services
Stacy Landers, exhibit coordinator, MP Associates, Inc.
Trinh Le, meeting planner, American Counseling Association
Kelly Maguire, meetings manager, International Sign Association
Elizabeth Malone, dealer market supervisor, Orgill, Inc.
William (Bill), McGlade, manager, exhibit sales, International Sign Association
Catherine Perkins, event services coordinator, SmithBucklin
Sanjay Prasad, sales executive, SME Canada (Society of Manufacturing Engineers Canada)
Adam Royer, manager, Exhibits and Sponsorships, NASSP
Monica Sober, conference manager, National Association of Home Builders
Katie Stern, conference manager, UBM Electronics
Cassie Thompson, senior associate, SmithBucklin
Christina Wade, marketing manager, Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Kimberly Zonca, registration manager, National Business Media, Inc.

In addition to receiving a complimentary full registration and the three nights of lodging, honorees will be recognized throughout the annual meeting and formally at IAEE’s Expo! Expo! General Session Dec. 5.

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