Kate Patay, CPCE, executive director of sales and marketing for Creative Coverings
The Convention Industry Council (CIC) honored eight outstanding leaders and innovators during a lively event at 2015 IMEX America in Las Vegas last week. The CIC’s Hall of Leaders and Pacesetter Awards celebration—held Oct. 12 in the Marquee Ballroom at MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel & Casino—featured a new cocktail reception format, with appetizers, drinks and cocktails, as well as a DJ-led post-party gathering. The event had customarily featured a formal black-tie dinner.
Five leaders were inducted into the organization’s Hall of Leaders: Patricia Faris Barlow, CEM, the CEO of Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center and Fidees; Larry Luteran, former senior vice president of group sales and industry relations for Hilton Worldwide; Jane E. Schuldt, CIS, CITE, the founder and president of World Marketing Group, Ltd.; Craig Smith, former president of Freeman Audio Visual, Inc.; and Amy Spatrisano, CMP, a former principal for Meet Green.
During the past three decades, the Hall of Leaders has recognized 119 pioneers who have been major contributors to the convention industry through their intelligence, leadership, ideas, innovation, influence and risk-taking.
The Pacesetter Awards, a natural extension of the Hall of Leaders, recognize emerging industry leaders and supporters whose recent and current achievements have had a very positive influence. This year’s recipients are Rafael Hernandez, CEM, the publisher and CEO of Masexpos Congresos & Convenciones magazine; Kate Patay, CPCE, the executive director of sales and marketing for Creative Coverings; and Kinga Socko, conference specialist for the Poland Convention Bureau.
