CIC Hall of Leaders Honored
October 21, 2016The Convention Industry Council (CIC) set a new bar for awards events October 18 as more than 450 meetings and events professionals attended the 21st Hall of Leaders & Pacesetter Awards Celebration event in Las Vegas.
CIC honored industry pioneers whose intelligence, innovation and influence have changed the landscape of the profession. CIC recognized those whose recent contributions will chart the future course for the industry.
This year’s celebration was themed “Club CIC” at Jewel Nightclub and offered a fresh take on industry awards celebrations. Jewel, a modern night club at the Aria Resort & Casino, provided a trendy, luxurious setting for the magnificent evening celebrating the industry’s greatest. The night began with a VIP pre-awards reception as guests were welcomed up the custom video-screened staircase.
Building on that energy, the action-packed show began with CIC Chief Executive Officer Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP and the 2016 chair of the CIC Board of Directors, Bonnie Fedchock, CAE, welcoming industry leaders, advocates and professionals to the 21st annual Hall of Leaders Celebration.
“The celebration was a truly exceptional occasion honoring industry pioneers in an intimate and unique setting,” said Kotowski. “This was the perfect venue to showcase an innovative format for award celebrations.”
The celebration began with the presentation of the Pacesetter Awards to two professionals for their outstanding recent achievements in their careers: Aoife Delaney and Mariela McIlwraith, CMP, CMM, MBA.
Next up, awardees added to the evening’s electricity by injecting their own humor, love, passion and voice as they joined the ranks of the prestigious CIC Hall of Leaders. The five honorees are Richard Aaron, MFA, CSEP Emeritus; Patrick Delaney, CMM, CITE, DMCP; Carol Krugman, CMP, CMM, M.Ed; John “Jack” Patronski and Colleen Rickenbacher CMP, CSEP, CPC, CTA, CPECP.
Throughout the night, guests dined on a variety of cuisines from restaurants at Aria Resort and Casino such as Sage, Julian Serrano and Lemongrass. With highlighted performances by the bridge cello playing duo, Mert Sermet and Jerry Pence, and the twin tap dancing sensations, Sean & John Scott, the invigorating atmosphere definitely supported the momentous celebration.
“Our industry is ever-evolving, and we embrace that through innovative approaches to this important celebration. This event honors pioneers in our industry, and we wanted to continue to offer a fresh approach to showcase that,” said Fedchock.
http://www.conventionindustry.org/HallofLeaders/2016HallofLeadersCelebration.aspx