15 INTERNATIONAL JUDGES DECIDE FIRST EIBTM AWARDS

Who Will be the Industry Best at Awards Dinner?

One of the largest international judging panels ever brought together by the meetings and incentive industry, with 15 expert judges from across Europe has completed the judging for the first EIBTM Awards.

During a two-day session, the panel, chaired by Lois Jacobs, executive vice president, regional director Europe and Asia Pacific, Jack Morton Worldwide, decided on winners of the ten categories, covering the primary businesses. Tickets are now available for the awards presentation dinner during EIBTM 2001 (29-31 May), at the Salon Genéve, Intercontinental Hotel, Geneva on Wednesday 30 May.

Judging panel chair, Lois Jacobs said that the task of selecting the best in the industry was a difficult one. " We had an excellent European panel of qualified people from many different parts of the industry.

"On occasions, discussion was robust but it was always enjoyable. Despite the difference in nationality and roles, there was a great deal of common ground and decisions were consensual."

The awards are being run in association with UK specialist magazine, Conference & Incentive Travel and supported by six official media partners in the leading European MICE regions - Events, Germany; Voyages & Strategie, France; Convegni, Italy; Spain Travel and Business Magazine; Business Travel Magazine, Benelux and Konferens Varlden, Scandinavia. The mammoth judging line-up included: Klaus Ruppert, publisher, Events Magazine; Markus Schlegel, regional director for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Concorde Hotels; David McGeorge, marketing manager, General Motors, Europe, Germany; Anita Aquilino, director, Promoviaggi, Italy; Thomas Huttenlocher Sweden, manager of Stamina, Sweden's leading speaker and competence broker company. Nathalie Pedestarres, international projects manager, Spain Travel & Business; Covadonga Gonzalez-Quijana, Madrid Convention Bureau, Spain; Philippe du Rusquec, owner and publisher, Voyages et Strategie; Dominique Plaissety, president of AFTAC\ANAE Tourism d'Affaires, France; Walter Roggeman, editor, Business Travel Magazine; Charles-Eric Vilain X1111, Brussels Congress; Colette Doyle, editor, Conference & Incentive Travel; Gillian Moulden, managing director, Moulden Marketing, UK; David Hackett, chairman, TMO, UK.

EIBTM exhibition director, Debbie Jackson said that it was important the judging process was entirely independent and balanced with a vast range of industry experience throughout Europe.

"These awards will be the most prestigious and respected within the industry, recognising quality of excellence in the creation and innovation, planning and organisation of business events", said Jackson. "It took a great deal of planning and co-ordination to get all of these expert judges in one place at one time, but it was worth it !

"We are most grateful for the judges time and enthusiasm." "Now the focus moves to the presentation evening, which we expect to be an exciting and enjoyable evening. Places are limited so early booking is advisable.

"Competition has been hot and none of the companies and organisations that have entered will know the results until they are announced at the dinner. It's going to be pretty tense."

An exclusively designed award will be presented to all the winners of each category.

The award categories are:

Business, Industrial and Technical;

Automotive;

Consumer Products;

Financial;

Food, Drink and Tobacco;

Health, Pharmaceutical and Cosmetics;

Information Technology & Communications;

Travel, Leisure and Entertainment.

There will also be awards for the Best Event held within Europe and the Best Event held outside Europe. An overall Grand Prix will be awarded to the best of the best in all categories.

How to Book Tickets for EIBTM Awards Dinner

Tickets are now available for the dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel, Geneva, priced at £120, (Eur.200) per person and £1,150 (Eur.1900) for a table of ten, including drinks a four course dinner, the awards ceremony and entertainment. VAT will be charged as appropriate.

Contact Samantha Graham, EIBTM Awards, Haymarket Events, 174 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP, UK; telephone +44 (0) 20 8267 4145; fax +44 (0) 20 8267 4331