Congratulations to our very own YP secretary; Nora Johnson

IAEE Announces 2008 Individual Award Recipients

Recipients of IAEE’s Highest Honors to be Recognized at Annual Meeting

DALLAS, 8 October 2008 - The International Association of Exhibitions and Events(tm) (IAEE) proudly announces this year’s recipients of the IAEE Individual Awards. IAEE’s awards program recognizes professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the exhibitions and events industry. The winners will be honored during the Opening General Session & Awards Presentation to be held Tuesday, 9 December 2008 during Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Miami Beach, Fla.

Award winners are chosen after careful consideration by the IAEE Awards Committee and the IAEE Board of Directors. “The commitment of the 2008 IAEE Award Winners is both humbling and inspiring,” comments Carrie Freeman Parsons, IAEE Awards Committee chair. “We are fortunate to honor individuals and organizations who represent the best of our industry. My highest congratulations to those who will be honored at the annual meeting in Miami.”

Fifty-one nominations were considered this year, from which the following 10 outstanding individuals were selected for recognition:

The Rookie of the Year, Show Manager Award and Rookie of the Year, Supplier Award both recognize excellent professional performance by an individual with three or less years of full-time exhibition and event industry experience. The 2008 Show Manager Rookie of the Year is Pamela Nutting, director of meetings for the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association/Midwest Podiatry Conference. The 2008 Supplier Rookie of the Year is Nora Johnson, sourcing specialist with Experient.

Berkshire Hathaway Conference – Event Review – Part 1

Three Parts: ON SUCCESS, ON BUSINESS, ON THE PROFESSIONAL

PART I: ON SUCCESS

On May 3, 2008, I sat in a large arena; just one individual of more than 31,000 individuals who traveled to Omaha to listen to the words of wisdom of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger. The net worth of the individuals in the arena was staggering, particularly with both Warren Buffett and Bill Gates present at the front of the arena. However, what stood out the most was that these successful individuals, by most standards, were indeed individuals: living, breathing, talking, thinking individuals.

They seemed to wear their success easily, yet one knows that it is not always easy to carry such success. As individuals, the people in the arena had grown up, worked hard and accomplished many feats, both “big” and “small.” Impressions from looking and listening included: success, humility, goodwill, determination, fun and conviction. It was inspiring, special and humbling.

During the Q&A session, which extended from the morning into the afternoon, individuals from all over the world stepped up to the microphones to ask questions that were burning in their minds. Most of these individuals came early to sit in designated areas just for the chance to ask their one question. As this was a shareholder meeting, I had anticipated that the questions and discussion would flow towards Berkshire Hathaway and the state of the economy. I was pleasantly surprised.

While questions were asked about the company and economy, many more were asked about life. Both Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger were so well respected that people tapped into their perspectives on life, careers, politics, economics, giving and much more.

These two men were more than their company. One could argue that respect for these two men stemmed from the success of their company, but at the end of the day, it wasn’t a better understanding of the bottom line that people sought, but a better understanding of how to live and how to approach all that is around us.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to realize and remember that we are more than our jobs, tasks and performance; that we are people who are living, working, thinking and growing together? When we remember who we are, what we believe in and what we’re working for, the rest falls into place. In so many words, one recurring theme throughout the day was that if you can do what you love, do what you’re good at, work toward what you believe in and have fun, you are well on your way to being successful.

IAEE Focus Groups for Young Professionals

IAEE Focus Groups for Young Professionals

At the beginning of the year IAEE conducted focus groups with Young Professionals in these cities

Washington D.C. . Austin . New York City

Objective:

What will motivate people in their 20s and 30s to join and engage in IAEE?

“Education opportunities, networking with others, having the opportunity to communicate with others who share the same job and career challenges; discovering new ways to do things; having access to research and information.”

“IAEE is an association of attraction. They look to IAEE for making contacts and networking, learning from one another, and continuing education.”

We we will continue to share additional feedback from these focus groups.

Events help you achieve radical business results…

IAEE Event Promotion Campaign –

Promote the Exhibition & Event Industry

How would you promote Events to the world?….