Nominate a Superstar Colleague for a Pacesetter Award!

CIC’s Hall of Leaders recognition program honors industry pioneers for a lifetime of achievement and is one of the most prestigious awards in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. But do you have to wait a lifetime to be honored for your contributions to the industry? No. Now there is a space for emerging leaders and forward thinkers to be recognized as they are creating change, it's called CIC’s Pacesetter Awards program.

Created in 2012, the Pacesetter Award is an extension of the Hall of Leaders, recognizing the transformative ideas and works of forward thinkers in real time, rather than over a lifetime. Measuring individual excellence, the Pacesetter Award has three focus areas: Young Professionals, Sustainability and Social Responsibility and Leadership and Innovation. Twelve emerging leaders have been honored with the Pacesetter Award since its inception. And one of its first awardees, Amy Spatrisano, CMP, was inducted into the Hall of Leaders in 2015.

So who are the Pacesetters? Global Rising Stars, Trendsetters, Ones to Keep Watching. And we want YOU to nominate a young professional for the 2016 class!

Do you know an emerging leader whose work merits recognition?

Someone whose drive and vision inspire colleagues?

A professional who stands out to peers and senior management?

Nominate that person today!

In 2015, CIC awarded three young professionals – Rafael Hernández, Kate Patay and Kinga Socko – with the Pacesetter Award. Here's why:

Publisher & CEO, Latin America Meetings

Rafael Hernández, CEM, is recognized as one of the most innovative and influential publishers in the global meeting and events industry, who uses his media platforms to elevate the conversation about the value of meetings.

Created the World Meetings Forum (WMF) and World Trade Show Forum (WTSF) events, which bring together leaders of the industry’s global associations with active professionals to discuss trends, new ideas and determine future directions for the MICE industry.
Instrumental in creating the Meetings Mean Business (MMB) Latin America Coalition, providing local business leaders and industry association leaders the tools and resources to educate and promote the important economic and social value of meetings in Latin America.
Serves on the board of global associations like Federacion de Entidades Organizadoras de Congresos y Afines de America Latina (COCAL), PCMA Mexico Chapter and MPI Mexico Chapter.

Secretary/Treasurer, National Association for Catering & Events
Executive Director of Sales & Marketing, Creative Coverings

Kate Patay, CPCE’s vision and leadership in "green" initiatives has altered the way many national rental companies operate their laundry, shipping and recycling programs, and inspired other companies to work to earn eco-friendly certifications as well.

Re-imagined the way Creative Coverings does business – established sustainable practices a priority, suggested successful initiatives to bolster their reputation as trendsetters in fashion, re-imagined the company’s work/life balance integration.
Led Creative Coverings to become the only national linen company to earn the coveted Emerald Green Certification.

Innovative thinking increased industry-wide awareness of the impact each of us has on our respective company’s carbon footprint and changed the work culture of her company.

Former Conference Specialist, Poland Convention Bureau

As a former Conference Specialist for the Poland Convention Bureau, Kinga Socko’s local contributions to the meetings industry have had a huge international impact.

Instrumental in creating the Poland Meetings and Events Industry Report, the first and only report of its kind, which demonstrates the economic impact of events. Her work on this groundbreaking economic impact study was used to help prepare local and national budgets and cited in industry publications on the current state of business tourism.

Worked diligently to expand the reach and influence of professional organizations like Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) in Europe.

Instrumental in guiding Poland through the rigorous DMAI Accreditation process, making Poland one of only three European destinations to share the distinction of being fully accredited by a one of the world’s leading DMOs.

Previous winners continue to blaze industry trails

Krzysztof Celuch – Young Professionals winner in 2012 recently collaborated with CIC on translating the APEX glossary into Polish.

Robyn Mietkiewicz, CMP, CMM – Young Professionals winner in 2013 was named MPI RISE Award for Member of the Year in 2014.

Donnell Bayot – Young Professionals winner in 2014 was named among the Top 25 Special Events Pros for that year.

The Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) is a
program of the Convention Industry Council

Convention Industry Council
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