NEW YORK, NY) – April 22, 2014 – At the 33rd IACC-Americas annual conference at Pacific Palms Resort in Los Angeles, CA, IACC-Americas President TJ Fimmano presented two major awards that honour significant contributions to IACC education and three industry scholarships to deserving students in hospitality programs.
IACC Pyramid Award
The Pyramid Award was established in 2000 to shine the spotlight on IACC members who show a true and long-lasting commitment to IACC education. Only one individual can receive this award each year. The 2014 Pyramid Award was presented to Louise Silbermann, Managing Director of the Summit Conference Center in Chicago, IL. Presenting the award, Fimmano noted that Silbermann is well respected and recognised as one of the top ‘gurus’ of the conference centre industry. She served on the IACC-Americas Annual Conference Planning Committee (ACPC) and is known as ‘the iconic leader’ of eight IACC International Study Tours, conferences and educational programs. She also served on the IACC-Americas Board of Directors in 2004 and 2005 and the IACC Global Board in 2005-2007.
The IACC Award of Excellence
The Award of Excellence was established 12 years ago by the IACC-Americas Board of Directors to underscore IACC’s commitment to education and to give heightened recognition and visibility to those individuals who generously give of their time, talent and resources to expand and enhance IACC’s educational offerings. The Award of Excellence was presented to Rita McClure, Vice President of Administration at Benchmark Hospitality International for her involvement in IACC education at multiple levels. She served on the IACC-Americas board of directors for two terms, was Chair of the Communications Assessment Committee, and actively participated on the Annual Conference Planning Committee and staged the first IACC Copper Skillet Competition in 2005.
IACC Industry Scholarship
The IACC-New York University Doris Sklar Scholarship was established 14 years ago in memory of longtime meeting professional, Doris Sklar. Active in IACC and a proponent of using conference centres for meetings, Doris was widely known and respected for her work with General Electric and as an independent consultant. She taught the meeting planning curriculum at NYU’s Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management. The winner of the Doris Sklar Scholarship receives a grant in the amount of $5,000, plus registration fees and all expenses for the Annual Conference. This year’s recipient is Chloe Hsia, a senior in the Hotel and Tourism Management undergraduate program at the NYU Tisch Center. Chloe is an intern at The Four Seasons Hotel New York and hopes to continue her path in the global meetings industry and international sales.
IACC’s Future Leaders Award
In addition to academics, internships and on-the-job training, students can gain valuable insight into the conference centre industry by meeting and networking with industry professionals. The recipient of the 2014 Future Leaders Award is Kara Edwards, who is working on her Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration at Missouri State University.
IACC Conference Centre Industry Award
The winner of this year’s Conference Centre Industry Award is Marta Giannetti, who is now working on her Bachelor of Science at the Isenberg School of Management, taking a Double Major in Hospitality & Tourism Management and Communication. Marta been a part of the MPI Future Leader’s Forum at IMEX Americas in 2013 and was accepted into a three day forum which recognised upcoming leaders in the Meeting and Conference industry. Marta has completed work experience at Central MA CVB, as a Marketing and Communications Intern in 2013 and in the same year completed a internship at Oak Hill Country Club.
