Top journalists and publishers from the meetings industry trade press gathered in Las Vegas during IMEX America 2024 for an inaugural awards ceremony honoring the work of the media for the events industry.
Spearheaded by the meetings division of Caesars Entertainment, the event also served as the launching point for donations in honor of the in the initiative to the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) Hospitality College Scholarship program.
The new Media & Momentum: A Morning of Recognition and Impact event was held in partnership with Meetings Professional International (MPI) and in concert with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). Moderated by Dianne Devitt, CEO, Dianne Devitt LLC, Author, and Adjunct Professor at New York University’s SPS Jonathan Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism, the morning awards presentation on Oct. 9 took place at Ramsay’s Kitchen at Harrah’s Las Vegas.
“Today, we are here to celebrate you and thank all of you for your contributions and commitment to our industry. Each one of you makes such an impact every day when you share the stories you write about the happenings in our industry, about our people, the trends, and where we have been and where we are heading. Early on in my career and still today, I read the trade news to stay current. You provide us all a greater perspective,” said Kelly Gleeson Smith, VP of Sales for Caesars Entertainment, addressing the press. “Besides recognizing each one of you, we have made arrangements for a scholarship donation to the hospitality college at UNLV.”
Each journalist in attendance also received a certificate of appreciation honoring the critical contributions they make and have made, especially during the industry’s rebound from the pandemic.
Prevue Publisher Receives Top Honor
Top honors went to trade press industry giants Laurel Herman, President and CEO of Worth International Media, publishers of Prevue; Solomon J. Herbert, Founder, Publisher & EIC of Black Meetings and Tourism; and Harvey Grotsky, President, CEO, Publisher and EIC of Coastal Communications, for their longstanding service to the meetings and events industry. Also recognized were the outstanding contributions of the late Marin June Bright, CEO of Bright Business Media, publisher of Smart Meetings. Accepting accolades on her behalf was Luc Troussieux, President & Co-Founder at Smart Meetings.
Caesars Entertainment presented the leaders with their coveted Keys to the Empire and the LVCVA presented official Clark County proclamations.
“Congratulations to those being honored, and thank you. What you do for tourism and the meetings and events industry is substantial,” said Mai Lim, Director of Intermediary Accounts at the LVCVA. “So we want to recognize you with an official proclamation dedicating a day of observance in Clark County in your name for your impact and contributions to the meetings industry in Las Vegas.”
“It is a thrill to participate in the recognition of our trade press. We rebounded faster and better because of the service they provide our industry,” noted Drew Holmgreen, Chief Experience Officer at MPI. “To be part of the establishment of these donations advancing UNLV hospitality college students is exciting and an innovative step to ensure we support the industry that keeps us all informed and moving forward.”
Awards & Scholarship Launched by Caesars
The brainchild of Reina Herschdorfer, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Caesars Entertainment National Meetings and Events, the awards event and scholarship program will continue to support and encourage the trade press.
“Ensuring we have a strong trade press is vital to a healthy industry. Taking the time to recognize everyone who plays a role in the media, in our industry specifically, was missing,” Herschdorfer told the group. “I am incredibly grateful for everyone’s support and for the partnership with MPI in this effort, as well as the LVCVA and the Clark County Commissioners for their strong backing of this initiative. Las Vegas is the capital of the meetings industry, so what better place to launch this event and scholarship program?”
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