IMEX Awards 2003
Four academy awards and four industry awards were presented at the IMEX 2003 Gala Dinner at the InterContinental Hotel to the delight of the winners and other guests.
The Academy Awards are intended to recognise those individuals within the meetings and incentives travel industry who give their commitment and energy in supporting the long-term growth and development of the industry, as well as in helping other industry members.
The winners were: Anthony Wong, Asian Overland Services; Anne Wallin Rodven, Oslo Convention Bureau; George Crossland, Africa Reps.and Jim Germain, USA Hosts.
 Anthony Wong Asian Overland Services |
 Anne Wallin Rodven Oslo Convention Bureau |
 George Crossland Africa Reps. |
 Jim Germain USA Hosts |
The MPI Youth Foundation Award was presented to IMC Fachhochschule Krems (University of Applied Sciences) in honour of the success of the University’s ‘Tourism Management and Leisure Studies’ four-year degree programme. Co-ordinating chairperson, Mag. Oliver Kitz, who actively guided and supported the development of the course accepted the award.
 MPI Youth Foundation Award presented to Mag. Oliver Kitz, IMC Fachhochschule Krems |
David DuBois, Executive Vice-President of the MPI Foundation said, "Our future is indeed in good hands as academic institutions like IMC Fachhochschule Krems continue to prepare our industry colleagues for the challenges that lie ahead."
 Environmentally Responsible Meetings Award presented to Amy Spatrisano, Meeting Strategies Worldwide |
The Environmentally Responsible Meetings Award proved an important acknowledgement of the industry’s growing commitment to ‘green meetings’. The award was made to Meeting Strategies Worldwide in recognition of their work on the 2002 Forest Leadership Forum. This forum, hosted by the World Wildlife Fund and the Certified Forest Products Council, and held in Atlanta was one of the greenest conferences ever held in the USA. In total, more than 1.34 tons of waste was recycled and more than $68,000 saved against budget. Meeting Strategies Worldwide, the first meetings planner ever to receive the award, made these achievements through a combination of environmental and economic stewardship of transportation, marketing, guest registration, accommodation and catering arrangements, all of which were scrutinised and planned against strict criteria.
Commenting on the Responsible Meetings Award, Eleanor Puet, IHEI, said, "This award winner showed real energy and enterprise. They put in place some exceptional measurement and tracking devices in their efforts to achieve tangible environmental targets and in bettering all aspects of their conference management."
Shawna McKinley of Oceans Blue Foundation said, "We were all tremendously impressed by the high standard of entries and it was very hard to choose just one. Hotels were among the first in the industry to commit to better environmental management, meeting planners are now taking this to the next stage and we hope other related businesses will soon follow this lead."
The award was presented to Amy Spatrisano.
 JMIC Unity Award presented to Jorge Castex, COCAL |
A man who is ‘as passionate as the tango’ was the resounding winner of the highly prestigious JMIC Unity Award. Jorge Castex, Honorary President of the Latin American Federation of Professional Congress Organisers (COCAL) and Chairman of the IAPCO Institute for Congress Management Training, was praised as an exceptional individual and a professional who has achieved worldwide recognition. His tireless passion for education and for sharing his knowledge has made him a much-admired figure both inside the industry and outside, in forums such as the United Nations.
Speaking about Castex’s reputation and his ability to inspire, Hugo Slimbrouk, President of JMIC, said, "This is a man who has seen it all and who shares it all. He is an energetic and inspirational teacher and communicator - a fine example to us all. This award is decided by our association members, each of whom recommends the individual they feel has made an outstanding individual contribution in the last year. Jorge is undoubtedly a remarkable winner."
 PoP Award for Social Responsibility presented to Hendrik ten Cate, Easy Event |
IMEX was also proud to present the inaugural Programmes of Purpose Award for Social Responsibility. The ‘Give Instead of Take’ programme in Malta is the result of two years of planning by award-winners, Easy Event. The orphanage refurbishment programme was exceptional in that it gained support from two competing publications as well as the Maltese Minister for Tourism, Mr Michael Refalo.
In accepting the award, Hendrik ten Cate, Managing Director of Easy Event said, "The classical incentive idea where people who have reached special goals get something is being enriched by a new social factor. The target of a social incentive is to build together with the local people something sustainable - it’s about give instead of take."
Programmes of Purpose also made special mention of Diane Kaufman and Marriott Hotels & Resorts for their ‘Spirit to Serve’ programme. This has now been made into a pilot for SITE chapters worldwide.
