Step Up to Help Out
Best Community Support/Volunteerism
Imprint Events Colorado, A DMC Network Company
Denver, CO USA
During the onset of the pandemic, a new non-profit was formed to support frontline workers in the live event industry. The partners of Imprint Events Group were two of the founding board members of the organization. While trying to save their own company and retain employees, they took the time to establish the organization from the ground up. In addition, one of Imprint’s partners provided frontline hospital workers ongoing deliveries of donuts, pies, meals and more as well as moments of joy through dance allowing them to forget about their troubles, even if only for a brief time.
Teal Me Not
Best Décor/Design
ACCESS Destination Services - Central Florida
Orlando, FL USA
After the client fell in love with our “Teal Me Not” look, our challenge became: How do we tailor this look to the very specific details of their meeting? Details that proved to be ever evolving. Three very different spaces had to be made to flow together into one cohesive whole while incorporating the tiered seating and elaborate branding provided by the production company. Although the group did not leave the convention space until one hour prior to doors, the guests were not to see the décor until they returned for the reception.
CISCO 2020 SCWC - Going Bananas Tenerife Visions Celebration Party
Best Entertainment
Spaintacular DMC, A Global DMC Partner
Madrid, Spain
The event represents the perfect example of Spaintacular´s ability to produce High-End events from start to finish with a high level of creativity and innovation, all different elements of the production have been created in-house without any external resource apart from the necessary vendors and their equipment.
An event with multiple challenges, starting with the venue, an operating Banana plantation with no event resources at all, not even electricity. The development of a very complex production with all components custom made for the occasion, combining a state of the art technological show with folkloric local elements.
Life's a Picnic
Best Event - $200,000 and under
PRA Northern California
San Francisco, CA USA
PRA Northern California was challenged to design a Tech Company’s Family Day, the first to be away from the headquarter campus. And so we brought a food truck park to life! The kids’ happiness was the focus of the event, while families spent the day making friendship bracelets, competing in Connect 4 and playing in the ball pit photo booth. Guests dined on a number of culinary options ranging from empanadas to chicken wings. Childhood nostalgia accomplished!
CISCO 2020 SCWC - Going Bananas Tenerife Visions Celebration Party
Best Event - $200,001 and up
Spaintacular DMC, A Global DMC Partner
Madrid, Spain
The event represents the perfect example of Spaintacular´s ability to produce High-End events from start to finish with a high level of creativity and innovation, all different elements of the production have been created in-house without any external resource apart from the necessary vendors and their equipment.
An event with multiple challenges, starting with the venue, an operating Banana plantation with no event resources at all, not even electricity. The development of a very complex production with all components custom made for the occasion, combining a state of the art technological show with folkloric local elements.
OKC Streetcar Anniversary Events
Best Group Activity (Team Building/CSR/Tour)
factor 110 | Destination Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, OK USA
EMBARK celebrated OKC Streetcar’s first anniversary with activities, tours, and community-focused events planned by factor 110 | Destination Oklahoma. Oklahoma City residents and visitors alike celebrated the OKC Streetcar with free-ride weekends, Sip & Savor tours, Storytime with Mrs. Claus on the Streetcar tours, activities on the streetcar, performances at platform stops, and special ticketed events. The celebrations focused on giving back and thanking downtown businesses who supported the Streetcar during its opening year. In addition, the events raised money, awareness, and provided hygiene kits to the Homeless Alliance and allowed for partnership with hospitality students from Oklahoma State University.
“Operation Adios” – Spanish Foreign Exchange Student Evacuation
Best Logistical Achievement
Ultimate Ventures, a DMC Network Company
Addison (Dallas), TX USA
At the onset of the pandemic, when the United States was newly in full lockdown, the COVID-19 situation in Spain was dire. Worried parents along with the Spanish government were desperate to get their foreign exchange students home before borders closed and/or airlines stopped flying internationally. Within a 24-hour period, Ultimate Ventures was contacted, contracted, and dispatched to DFW Airport to coordinate a Herculean effort of meeting, greeting, shuttling, feeding, and ultimately escorting 300 teenagers safely to a charter plane returning to Spain. We succeeded thanks to adrenaline, caffeine, connections, and a team effort like no other!
A Week Long Soiree in Washington
Best Overall Program
Hosts DC
Washington, DC USA
How do you tackle three separate soirees for varying group sizes from (12-950) descending upon D.C. all while seamlessly managing a full week of programming, over the top expectations, and management of VIPs and C-Suite executives? You simply make magic happen. That’s what Hosts DC was faced with for this January 2020 conference. From one-of-a-kind event design at a world-renowned Smithsonian museum to pushing the envelope on creative transportation pursuits, every detail was tended to. It took a village, but Hosts DC flushed out every idea in the book to make the impossible, well, possible.
#TeachersCan Teacher Appreciation Week
Best Pivotal Shift
CE DMC, a DMC Network Company
San Antonio, TX USA
When Texas received the state-wide mandate to shut down on March 13, the CE Group was packed for SXSW EDU to execute the World Premier & activation of #TeachersCan. The all-inclusive lounge elements were designed with relaxation, appreciation, and celebration for teachers and supporters in mind. When SXSW EDU & all major events canceled, the CE Group pivoted to #TeachersCan to create a virtual premier during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-8, 2020. With 40 different virtual activations including cooking classes, fitness, and celebrity concerts the goal to celebrate the hard-working teachers and supporters was exceeded despite the circumstances.
CISCO 2020 SCWC - Going Bananas Tenerife Visions Celebration Party
Best Use of Technology
Spaintacular DMC, A Global DMC Partner
Madrid, Spain
The event represents the perfect example of Spaintacular´s ability to produce High-End events from start to finish with a high level of creativity and innovation, all of the different elements of the production have been created in-house without any external resource apart from the necessary vendors and their equipment.
An event with multiple challenges, starting with the venue, an operating Banana plantation with no event resources at all, not even electricity. The development of a very complex production with all components custom made for the occasion, combining a state of the art technological show with folkloric local elements.
Now Premiering: Moxy Boston Downtown
Best Site Inspection/FAM Trip
CSI DMC (Boston)
Boston, MA USA
Curtains up Boston – it's time for Moxy Downtown Boston to put on a show! CSI DMC created a thematic experience inspired by the 20th-anniversary production of RENT. Just like the Broadway show, where vignettes of the characters' lives are showcased in their apartments, CSI DMC designed an experience where each guest room showcased the brand's space, amenities, and fun-loving character. CSI DMC told the brand's story while paying homage to the culture of the hotel's neighborhood. Each hotel room featured a story, soundtrack, and logistics to move several hundred people through spaces that were each 150 sq. feet!
Hall of Fame / Lifetime Achievement Award
Carol Norfleet, CMP, DMCP
Carol Norfleet - An Industry Icon
Carol’s contributions to our industry and to ADMEI were exceptional. Her leadership with the Certification and Accreditation Board advanced the educational value of ADMEI for so many in the DMC industry.
Jennifer Patino, DMCP
ADMEI Past President
Hosts Global
I would often joke that Carol was on Destination Nashville’s payroll, but really worked for MPI and ADMEI, but I knew this is what she needed. I knew that she was at her happiest when she was helping others, when she was mentoring those just starting in the industry, when she was passing along all that she had learned over the years to the next generation of meeting and event planners.
Rhonda L. Marko, CMP, CMM, DMCP
ADMEI Past President
Carol was one of the smartest, most organized, selfless and forward-thinking individuals I’ve ever met or worked with.
I’m sure she was, or would have been, an excellent chess player as she continually demonstrated an ability to think long term – and always for the good of the organization.
ADMEI owes Carol a great deal of gratitude, which is why her induction into the Hall of Fame is so well deserved.
Alton Hagen, DMCP, CMP
ADMEI VP - Finance
AGENDA: USA, Inc.
Carol was known for many roles in the meetings/events industry for over 20 years. She earned her CMP/DMCP/CMM and became passionate about working with people to earn theirs through her teachings on the global level.
Carol helped create the DMCP, contributed to the Best Practices in Destination Management, and served as the chair of CAB [ADMEI's Certification & Accreditation Board].
Her spirit embodies the meaning of true hospitality. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched.
Brian Ferrell, DMCP, CMP
ADMEI Past President
factor 110 | Destination Oklahoma
I can’t think of anyone better suited for this nomination. After working with Carol on the CAB Board for a number of years, I discovered her deep-seated passion for the industry, her intense desire to teach, educate and “show the way” to newcomers and colleagues alike as well as her intense pride in the standards developed by ADMEI.
Beverly Brin, DMCP
ADMEI Volunteer
Ultimate Ventures
Inducted by Brian Ferrell, CMP, DMCP
ADMEI Past President
factor 110 Destination Oklahoma
Carol Norfleet Destination Management Rising Star
Taylor Levy, CMP, DMCP
Destination South Meetings & Events, a DMC Network Company
Atlanta, GA USA
"Taylor Levy, CMP DMCP is the epitome of a rising star..."
Taylor Levy, CMP DMCP is the epitome of a rising star in the Destination Management Industry. In just under four years in the industry she has taken it by storm. She started as an Account Manager, progressed to an Associate Director of Sales and now finds herself as the Regional Director of Sales. She oversees sales at both our Atlanta and Coastal location. Taylor played a key role in 2019 in positioning Destination South on the cusp of its most successful year. Taylor is impeccable at relationship building and has established herself as a force in the Atlanta Hospitality scene.
Joanne O'Connor President's Award
Alton Hagen, DMCP, CMP
AGENDA: USA, Inc.
Mission (Kansas City), KA USA
"Thank you Alton, for always for providing sound advice... "
"Thank you Alton, for always for providing sound advice, always having ADMEI's best interests at heart, and for years of being a loyal ADMEI member and volunteer. "
Alaina Tobar, DMCP
ADMEI Past President
PRA Northern California