Sarah Vining, IACC Board Associate, Receives Pacesetter Award from Convention Industry Council

PRLog (Press Release) - Nov. 6, 2012 - According to Karen Kotowski, CEO of Convention Industry Council (http://www.conventionindustry.org/index.aspx), “the Pacesetter Award pays tribute to individuals whose achievements are brought to the CIC as worthy of industry recognition.” This new awards program spearheaded by the CIC honors accomplished industry supporters and emerging leaders in the meetings and events community. “In this inaugural year for the Pacesetter Award” said Kotowski, “Sarah was selected in the Young Professional category and in outward years those honored will be expanded into other categories.”

Vining was nominated by Tom Bolman who retires from The International Association of Conference Centers at the end of this year after 26 years as Executive Vice President of the association. Bolman cited Sarah’s commitment to the industry, her contributions to IACC’s Emerging Trends Committee, her service as marketing co-chair for the IACC annual conference and her major role in the development of IACC’s first Guide to Social Media (http://iacconline.org/content/files/IACC_SocialMediaGuide...). She is the youngest Board Associate to serve with IACC’s Board of Directors.

The Convention Industry Council, with 31 member organizations representing more than 103,000 individuals and 19,500 firms and properties, was established in 1949 to provide a forum for members seeking to enhance the industry, exchange information, develop programs to promote professionalism, and educate the public on the industry’s profound economic impact. Among its initiatives are the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Program, Accepted Practices and Exchange (APEX), Economic Impact Study, Hall of Leaders and the newly created Pacesetter Award.

The IACC Mission Statement: The International Association of Conference Centers is the thought leader on the meeting experience. IACC represents its members by defining and promoting the IACC Meeting Concept and providing learning opportunities.

The IACC Vision: “IACC is a community of passionate people and organizations delivering innovative and exceptional meeting experiences.”

Founded in 1981, the International Association of Conference Centers is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting understanding and awareness of the conference center industry and to giving member properties the tools necessary to provide an exceptional IACC meeting experience. Active members meet a set of stringent Quality Standards and agree to a Code of Ethics. Currently, the association includes approximately 400 members from the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, France, England, The Netherlands, Germany and Japan. For more information, visit the website at www.iacconline.org.“There are meetings and then there are IACC meetings.”