It is a truth universally acknowledged that the meetings and conventions industry is built on relationships — one on one, face to face, rooted in competence and trust. So when we decided to do something different for the fifth year of our Best in Show awards, it didn’t take long to figure out what.
Whereas we originally created Best in Show to honor some of the most innovative and acclaimed things in the meetings and conventions industry — venues, technology platforms, CSR programs, destination videos, etc. — this year we’re honoring some of those relationships. We asked readers to nominate exemplary meeting professionals who usually operate out of the spotlight, behind the scenes, working in areas such as convention services, audiovisual, event technology, and catering.
Our readers did not disappoint. They submitted testimonials for people with whom they’ve collaborated for years, people whom they supervise, people whom they’ve come to see as in-house staff. Meetings bring people together, you see, and that applies to the back of the house just as much as it does among attendees.
Congratulations to this year’s Best in Show honorees!
CONVENTION SERVICES / CONVENTION CENTER
Bryan Panhorst, Director of Event Services, Greater Richmond Convention Center (GRCC), Richmond, Virginia
Nominated twice, including by Karen Surmacewicz, Virginia Chamber of Commerce “Bryan is an outstanding professional representative at the GRCC. He is always available, organized, and reliable in handling whatever needs to be done to help his clients have a successful event. It is a real pleasure to know him and work with him, because we know all will go well under his leadership. Bryan is a huge asset to the GRCC, and our team always looks forward to working with him.”
Dennis Cross, Senior Event Manager, Kansas City Convention Center
Nominated byMia Short, CMP, WATT Global Media “Dennis is a strategic, creative, collaborative, solutions-centric partner. Dennis consistently demonstrates a high level of professionalism and unflappable depth of knowledge, which translate to continued group success. Dennis is always proactive and diplomatic in approach, characteristic of an invaluably seasoned convention-services manager in a convention-center setting.”
CONVENTION SERVICES / HOTEL
Ariane Estepa, CMP, Meeting and Event Manager, Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
Nominated by Jenny Clavero, TriTech Software Systems “Ariane is the best convention-services managers I’ve ever worked with in my 12 years. Her ability to think proactively and creatively come up with solutions was the reason our event went as flawlessly as it did. A lot of my success I owe to her, and she was an instrumental part of my planning team.”
Becky Field, CMP, Meetings and Events Manager, Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, Chandler, Arizona
Nominated by Tina Squillante, CMP, for a completely revamped American Society of Transplantation conference in 2013 “I brought in a lot of new ideas, and I was doing things in a new way in a very short period of time. Becky was very willing and happy to try them. She embraced my ideas and she just pulled it off.”
Jay Ozanne, Convention Services Manager, The Wigwam, Litchfield Park, Arizona
Nominated by George Turner, National Freight Transportation Association “I am nominating Jay for his outstanding customer dedication.”
Brittany Haas, Event Billing Analyst, Hyatt Hotels Corporation; formerly Event Planning Manager, Hyatt Regency Dallas
Nominated by Cori Dossett, CEM, CMP, Conferences Designed “I have worked with Brittany several times in the past year. She is efficient, prompt, polite, and professional. Brittany was able to anticipate several of our challenges on site, and rectify the problems before they became issues. She is a pleasure to work with!”
Debbie Heckler, Conference Services Manager, Radisson Austin Downtown
Nominated by Vicky H. Sepulveda, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce “Debbie Heckler is very organized and knows what she is doing when it comes to assisting and managing an event. Extremely detailed-oriented and excellent customer service!”
David Winter, Director of Catering and Convention Services, Omni Fort Worth Hotel
Nominated by Paola Bowman, CTA, Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau “David personifies what services mean to a meeting planner. He leads the team of event-service professionals at our local Omni, and leads by example — with excellent meetings and events industry knowledge and personable service.”
Clodagh Larkin, Director of Meetings and Special Events, The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba
Nominated by Tracy Hatch, UniFirst Corporation “Clodagh was spot on from day one. From the site-planning visit to the actual program, she was at the top of her game. She doesn’t miss a beat, and as crazy as things got during the program — she was always there with a smile on her face when we needed her, and she always got things done. She has a great team of people working for her that were just as excellent. Probably because they have such a great leader.”
CONVENTION SERVICES / CVB
Rick Hud, Senior Manager of Convention Sales, San Francisco Travel
Nominated by Kerry Kerr, HelmsBriscoe “Rick volunteers countless hours to PCMA, and destination-reps out of Chicago. He also is very thorough, and has great follow-up/follow-through when you book San Fran. He is warm, kind, and a real pro at his job.”
Jenny Wilson, CMP, Director of Destination Services, Visit KC
Nominated by Mia Short, CMP, WATT Global Media “Jenny Wilson represents us well! Jenny is a highly knowledgeable and amazing partner at the CVB.”
THIRD-PARTY SUPPORT
Jolene Boatright, Director of Sales, Associated Luxury Hotels International, Richmond, Virginia
Nominated by Janie Osterhaus, LeClairRyan “Jolene was instrumental in helping us with our national search of properties for our upcoming shareholders’ retreat. She pared down to a few locations, and our final location in Washington, D.C., at the Mandarin Oriental. She was just wonderful each step of the way, and continues to be a solid resource for our firm.”
Doug Baarman, CDS, Senior Vice President/Team Director, ConferenceDirect, Washington, D.C.
Nominated by Lauren Parr, American Geophysical Union, for RAPS Convergence (Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society), 2009–2016 “Doug and his team were an incredible resource for my organization during these years. While I have left RAPS for a new opportunity, Doug continues to always act in their best interest and bring new ideas to them. He is the consummate professional and a wonderful example of what an association/third-party relationship should be. I learned a tremendous amount from him, and frankly, he kept us from making bad decisions!”
