(NEW YORK, NY) – May 8, 2013 -- At the 32th IACC-Americas Annual Conference at Eaglewood Resort & Spa in Itasca, IL, IACC-Americas President TJ Fimmano announced the presentation of scholarships and awards to deserving students in hospitality programs. Sean Sands, General Manager at FLIK Hotels & Conference Centers at Gallaudet University’s Kellogg Conference Center and Chairman of IACC-Americas’ Education Committee, thanked members for generously supporting the IACC Scholarship Fund through a voluntary supplement to annual dues and presented the scholarships to the students.


IACC Conference Center Industry Award
Magdelaine Baker Basler, who is currently working toward her BS in Hospitality Administration at Boston University School of Hospitality Administration, was presented with this $5,000 scholarship.  Established by the IACC-Americas Board of Directors as part of a broader initiative to introduce the leaders of tomorrow to the advantage of choosing a career in conference centers, the award helps offset the growing cost of education and includes registration fees, transportation and accommodations at the IACC-Americas Annual Conference in the spring of the award year.

Magdelaine has completed internships and work experience at the State Game Lodge, Catering-on-the- Charles and Blue Skies Inn. She achieved the American Hotel and Lodging Education Foundation Scholarship in 2011 and 2012, the District 20 Scholarship in 2010, Flight of the Eagle Award in 2010, and was an AP Scholar in 2010.

She is currently the Large Group Coordinator and part of the Leadership Team for Intervarsity Christian Fellowships at Boston University.

The Doris Sklar Award
The IACC-New York University Doris Sklar Scholarship was established 14 years ago in memory of longtime meeting professional, Doris Sklar. Active in IACC and a proponent of using conference centers for meetings, Doris Sklar was widely known and respected for her work with General Electric and as an independent consultant. She taught the meeting planning curriculum at NYU’s Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management.

Hanna Giem was the recipient of the award, which includes a grant in the amount of $5,000, plus registration fees and all expenses for the IACC-Americas Annual Conference.  Hanna is a junior in the Hotel and Tourism Management program with a concentration in Marketing and Revenue Management at the NYU Tisch Center.  She has been on the dean’s list, is a Resident Assistant and has interned at the Intercontinental Hotel Group, Rocco Forte Hotels and the “21 Club.”

IACC Future Leaders Award
The winner of the 2013 Future Leaders Award is Amanda Greenwood, who is currently working toward her Dual Major:  BBA in Hospitality Management & Marketing at Marywood University in Scranton, PA.  The award package, which is granted to students of hospitality in good standing at accredited institutions, includes one conference registration at the IACC-Americas annual conference, transportation to and from the conference and full CMP accommodations on-site (approximate value - $3,000.00).

Consistently on the dean’s list, Amanda is a member of Delta Mu Delta Society of Business Scholars in 2012-2013, and a David Hawk Scholar in 2012.    She has been Vice President and Event Coordinator of Marywood University chapter of Net Impact Leadership Award from 2011-2013 and has completed an internship with Radisson Lackawana Station Hotel in Scranton, PA.

The IACC Mission Statement: The International Association of Conference Centres is the thought leader on the meeting experience. IACC represents its members by defining and promoting the IACC Meeting Concept and providing learning opportunities.

The IACC Vision: “IACC is a community of passionate people and organizations delivering innovative and exceptional meeting experiences.”

Founded in 1981, the International Association of Conference Centres is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting understanding and awareness of the conference centre industry and to giving member properties the tools necessary to provide an exceptional IACC meeting experience. Active members meet a set of stringent Quality Standards and agree to a Code of Ethics. Currently, the association includes approximately 400 members from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, France, England, Scotland, The Netherlands, Germany and Japan. For more information, visit the website at www.iacconline.org. “There are meetings and then there are IACC meetings.”