Meeting and event industry press gathered at Ramsay’s Kitchen at Harrah’s Las Vegas on Oct. 9 during IMEX America 2024 for the inaugural “Media & Momentum: A Morning of Recognition and Impact” awards ceremony, produced by Caesars Entertainment and MPI.
An exclusive breakfast in an elegant space made for a perfect setting to recognize trade press professionals and their commitment to delivering fresh and insightful content and, in several cases, lifetime contributions.
“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,” said Kelly Gleeson Smith, vice president of sales for Caesars Entertainment.
The event was moderated by Dianne Devitt, CEO, Dianne Devitt LLC, and author and adjunct professor at New York University’s SPS Jonathan Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism. She remarked on how she used to tear out pages with industry news and trends that caught her attention and file them in what was to become the foundation for her courses for the next generation of event professionals. With a nod to the recent years for the industry, she said.
“You all created a dialog, you created a community, and you never gave up reporting the news. During the times when our industry was obliterated, your work gave us hope.”
Each journalist in attendance received a certificate of appreciation honoring their contribution, especially during the industry’s rebound from the pandemic. Top honors went to trade press industry giants Laurel Herman, president and CEO of Worth International Media; Solomon J. Herbert, founder, publisher and EIC of Black Meetings and Tourism; and Harvey Grotsky, president, CEO, publisher and EIC of Coastal Communications for their longstanding service to the meeting and event 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 and co-founder at Smart Meetings.
Caesars Entertainment presented the leaders with Keys to the Empire and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) presented the official Clark County proclamations.
The event also served as a scholarship launch at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) Hospitality College Scholarship program to help support the next generation of event industry leaders.
“Our belief at MPI is when we meet, we change the world,” said Drew Holmgreen, chief experience officer at MPI. “Without the positive exposure and advocacy that you provide, that belief wouldn’t have the global transaction that it does today. We rebounded faster and better because of the service [the trade press] provides our industry. 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.”
