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International venue management leader Cliff Wallace’s achievements recognised with Unity Award

International venue management leader Cliff Wallace’s achievements recognised with Unity Award
January 4, 2021

Cliff Wallace, whose 50-year career has spanned the management of venues across North America and Asia, has been awarded the 2020 Unity Award from the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC).

Wallace was formally presented with the award on 10th December as part of the IBTM World awards program this year taking place online by Kai Hattendorf, President of the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC).

Explaining Wallace’s career achievements, Hattendorf stated “iIn an industry that has been evolving as quickly as ours the importance of long-standing industry leaders, advocates and role-models cannot be underestimated.

“This year’s Unity Award winner exemplifies the concept of lifetime achievement, not only through his organisational affiliations but as a pioneer, educator and mentor for generations of industry participants.

“At the same time, he played a huge role in introducing the industry and the principles it stands for into new regions at a critical point in their development. While each year we are presented with a challenge in selecting just one recipient for the Unity Award I can honestly say that this recipient is particularly deserving for both the length and breadth of his contributions.”

Wallace has had many years of service in the development, design, construction, project planning, managing, operating and day-to-day business of public assembly venue management and has elevated those venues to a respected presence in the communities in which they are located.

At the same time, he has been a senior leader of numerous industry associations and a highly respected instructor and mentor in a wide range of key industry training programs. He has won a number of global awards for his work, and continues to contribute well into his semi-retirement as an industry ambassador and advisor.

The Unity Award is made annually to an individual who represents the best qualities of Meetings Industry Leadership and who has devoted major efforts to creating stronger relationships and a greater cohesion for the industry. Award criteria evaluate industry leadership and initiative both in a candidate’s own professional conduct and the efforts they put into industry-building through association, education and professional development activities.

In 2019, Wallace was presented with the VMA Lifetime Achievement Award by the Venue Management Association [Asia and Pacific].

Previous Unity Award Winners

2019 Joachim König - Managing Director, Hannover Congress Centre, Germany
2018 Karen Bolinger - Chief Executive, Melbourne Convention Bureau, Australia
2017 Ray Bloom - Chairman, IMEX Group
2016 Anita Pires - Director, Pires & Associados Assessoria Ltd
2015 David Peckinpaugh - President, Maritz Travel Group
2014 Tom Hulton - Director of International Relations, IMEX Group
2013 Michael Hirst - Chairman of the Business Visits & Events Partnership, UK
2012 Airy Garrigosa - Director, Barcelona Convention Bureau, Spain
2011 Luc Maene - Director General, International Fertilizer Industry Association and President, Society of Association Executives
2010 Christian Mutschlechner - Vienna Convention Bureau, Austria
2009 Barbara Maple
2008 Hans Friis - Brahler ICS AG
2007 Roger Tondeur - President and Founder MCI Group
2006 Luca Favetta - SAP
2005 Laure Mouton - Executive Director, Palais des Congrès de Paris, France
2004 Olivier Lépine - Director, Biarritz Tourisme, France
2003 Jorge Castex - Managing Director, ICS International Conference Services

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