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INDEPENDENT ASSOCIATION OF CONFERENCES & CONVENTIONS NORTH AMERICA
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IACC Press Release |
Press |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WENDE BLUMBERG RECEIVES IACC'S HIGHEST HONOR
CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact: James Mahon
Company: Independent Association of Conferences & Conventions
Phone: 914 699 4725
e-mail: jmmahon@aol.com
WESTCHESTER, NEW YORK (April 23, 2004) -- IACC
One of the highlights of the 23rd Annual Conference of the Independent Association of Conferences & Conventions was the presentation of the Mel Hosansky Award for Distinguished Service to Wende Blumberg, a highly respected veteran of the hospitality industry.
Blumberg, General Manager of the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville, received the award from IACC-North America President, Geoff Lawson, who praised Wende for her involvement and dedication to IACC and a lifetime commitment to education in the industry.
Blumberg has been active in the meetings industry for more than 26 years having served in sales, training, conference planning, conference services and management positions with The Cottages, Kingsmill Resort & Conference Center, Sandestin Resort and Xerox Document University.
Last year, she received IACC's Pinnacle Award for her multiple contributions to the organization through the IACC Institute and the Annual Conference. She also served as a member of the Board of Directors for eight years and served as President of both IACC-North America and IACC-Global.
“Wende has applied her signature spirit of having fun to everything she has done – and she's only in the summer of that career,” said Lawson. “She may well hold the record for teaching at IACC events, beginning as far back as 1993. It's an open secret that no one else delivers sessions that combine such generous measures of learning and fun.”
The Mel Hosansky Award is named in honor of Mel Hosansky, an early supporter of IACC and its activities and longtime editor of both Meetings & Conventions and Successful Meetings magazine.
First presented at the 1985 Annual Conference, the Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual in recognition of outstanding service to IACC over a period of time and for service to the meetings industry either directly or through the individual's service to IACC.
In selecting nominees for the award (and in the final selection of an awardee) both specific achievements and instances of service and long-term general service may be recognized. Service and achievements for consideration include, but are not limited to:
• Long-term support of IACC via membership.
• Active and sustained promotion of IACC and the conference center concept.
• Time and work donated to IACC.
• Specific contribution to IACC.
• Financial support of IACC.
• Dedication to, and promotion to excellence in the meetings industry.
Nominations for the award are solicited yearly, and the award is given to one individual on an annual basis.
Past recipients of the award: 1984 - Mel Hosansky; 1985 - David Arnold; 1986 - Charles Williams/Preben Nesager; 1987 - Robert J. Hillier; 1988 - Burt Cabanas; 1989 - John Marenzana; 1990 - Don Middleberg; 1991 - Richard Kopacz; 1992 - Marjorie Farley; 1993 - Sam Haigh; 1994 - Mary Gendron; 1995 - Jorgen Roed; 1996 - Anne-Marie Ostergaard; 1997 - Andy Dolce; 1998 - Tom Silvestri; 1999 – Roberta Butler; 2000 – John Wilderman; 2001 – Jerry Noack; 2002 – John Potterton; 2003 – Jack Kealey.
Hi-resolution digital images of Wende Blumberg receiving her
award are available on the IACC website:
Wende Blumberg thanks IACC for awarding her its highest honor.
http://www.iacconline.com/content/files/WendethanksIACC.jpg
Wende Blumberg, General Manager of the Hilton University of Florida
& Conference Center, accepts the Mel Hosansky Award for Distinguished
Service from IACC-North America President, Geoff Lawson.
http://www.iacconline.com/content/files/WendenGeoffwHosky.jpg
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The Independent Association of Conferences & Conventions (IACC) founded in 1981, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting understanding and awareness of the conference center industry. Active members meet a stringent set of Universal Criteria and agree to a Code of Ethics.
For more information, visit the IACC website at www.iacconline.com
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