CIC Announces All-Star Lineup for Hall of Leaders Celebration

The Convention Industry Council (CIC) announced the all-star entertainment lineup for the 2015 Hall of Leaders and Pacesetter Awards Celebration to be held October 13 in Las Vegas at a “Pop up” Night Club in the Marquee Ballroom at the MGM Grand.

Sponsored by MGM Resorts Event Productions, MGM Resorts International, the IMEX Group and other industry partners, this year’s celebration will kick off a new era of CIC awards presentations. For three decades, CIC has honored its industry pioneers with a night of special recognition and will continue to do so — but with a new flair. Gone is the lengthy sit-down dinner of year’s past, as we strive to celebrate honorees in an environment as electric as the energy they bring to the industry, said a spokesperson for CIC.

The night will be hosted by Laura Schwartz, former White House Director of Events and author of Eat, Drink and Succeed. Th event also will feature entertainment by MO5AIC — a five-man vocal group that replicates the sound of a live band with their own voices.

“Each year we evolve the event to make it relevant as well as enjoyable to our industry audience while giving proper respect to those that have had such an impact on the industry,” said Karen Kotowski, CMP, CAE, CEO of the Convention Industry Council. “We listened to our members and attendees who said they wanted a less formal event, coinciding with the IMEX America trade show event, rather than the Sunday before. Gone are the rounds of 10, long speeches and the multi-course dinner. ‘In’ is lounge-style seating, artistic appetizers and innovative cocktails prior to, during and after the special entertainment. The award-winning MGM team is sure to produce another exciting, and enjoyable event for the audience and inductees.”

The Hall of Leaders inductees are Patricia Farias Barlow, CEM, CEO, Puerto Vallarta Convention Center and FIDEES; Larry Luteran, former senior vice president of group sales and industry relations, Hilton Worldwide; Jane Schuldt, CIS, CITE, founder and president, World Marketing Group Ltd.; Craig Smith, retired, former president, Freeman Audio Visual Inc., and Amy Spatrisano, CMP, former principal at MeetGreen.

The Pacesetter Award Winners are Rafael Hernández, CEM, publisher and CEO, Latin American Meetings; Kate Patay, CPCE, executive director of sales and marketing, Creative Coverings; and Kinga Soko, conference specialist, Poland Convention Bureau .

For more information on the event or to purchase sponsorship and tickets visit: www.conventionindustry.org/HallofLeaders/2015HallofLeadersCelebration.