The Events Industry Council (EIC) recognized its latest class of Hall of Leaders and other global award winners at the EIC Global Awards Celebration on Oct. 16 at Bellagio Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The event was held the day before the official start of IMEX America taking place Oct. 17-19 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, with Smart Monday, powered by MPI, also held on Oct. 16.
The EIC’s more than 30 member organizations represent over 103,500 individuals and 19,500 firms and properties involved in the events industry. Being named to the Hall of Leaders is essentially a lifetime achievement award and is one of the premier recognition programs in the meetings, conventions, exhibitions, hospitality, and travel industry.
“The defining quality among these leaders is that the industry would not be what it is today without their contributions,” according to a description from EIC. To date, about 150 individuals have been named to the Hall of Leaders. In addition to being recognized during the annual celebration, they are honored at the Hall of Leaders Recognition Pavilion located permanently in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
Inductees & Award Recipients
While hosting its Global Awards Celebration at IMEX, EIC introduced seven new Hall of Leaders inductees include Carina Bauer; Barbara Connell, CMP Fellow, CAE; Wanda Johnson, CAE, CMP; Steve O’Malley; Amelia binti Roziman, CIS; Christine “Shimo” Shimasaki, CDME, CMP; and Dr. Deborah Breiter, CME.
Bauer, CEO of IMEX, and her father, IMEX Chairman Ray Bloom, are the first father and daughter inductees in the Hall of Leaders. “At IMEX, we have a principle of sharing what we learn. Throughout my career I’ve been supported and inspired by others sharing their knowledge and experience,” Carina says. “As our sector continues to evolve, my intention is to ensure that we keep on looking ahead and welcome the new people entering our industry with a similarly collaborative and guiding spirit.”
In addition to naming the latest Hall of Leaders inductees, three other awards were presented at the celebration. Dale Hudson, CED, received the Pacesetter Award, which recognizes emerging leaders and their present-day accomplishments. Megan Henshall, CMP, DES, went home with the Adaptation and Innovation Award that represents extraordinary effort on the part of an individual or organization to ensure the industry’s relevance now and into the future.
Meanwhile, the EIC Social Impact Award salutes extraordinary effort on the part of an individual or organization in the areas of people, planet, and prosperity while also being aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and EIC’s Principles for Recovery. Examples include work related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the global events industry. The 2023 Social Impact Award winners are Geneviève Leclerc and Zoe Moore, CDP.
