Announcing ... The Vision Awards

This year marks the introduction of Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal's Vision Awards. We feel like this will be a good chance to recognize best practices in the local hospitality industry and celebrate the talented professionals behind some of the great visions in meetings and events this past year. We'll be honoring these planners, vendors and hospitality professionals on Thursday, September 24, 2009, at the Chambers Hotel in Minneapolis.

Before then, though, we need your help. Yep, we want you to tell us who is the most deserving. After all, you are the experts. Think. Who has inspired you this year? Got someone in mind? Nominate! What vendor's work really stood out to you? What event impressed you? You know what to do: Nominate! Did you produce an event you are especially proud of? Go ahead: Nominate yourself! Deadline: July 31, 2009.

Learn more about the seven awards and the nomination process ...

CATEGORIES
(Choose the category that best fits the person, company or event you wish to nominate. You may make multiple submissions in any category.)

1. Customer Service: Explain how a planner or vendor (or both sides working together) demonstrated exceptional customer service during a specific event.
2. Stewardship: Describe an individual or a company that makes a positive impact in their community through either a specific event or an ongoing initiative.
3. Event of the Year (Planners Only): Nominate a specific planner and his/her event that accomplished its goals to the fullest.
4. Planner’s Choice—My Favorite Vendor: Share a story about a vendor who went above and beyond for your event.
5. Leadership: Nominate a leader who has called others into action and has made an impact in his or her business, association or event.
6. Innovation: Describe an individual or company who has exemplified innovation by implementing a new product or enhancing a process that has advanced the industry, their company, their association or event.
7. Inspiration: Nominate an individual (planner, vendor, front-line employee) who inspires his/her peers with his/her ongoing dedication to the industry.

NOMINATING
How to Nominate: Head to our new Vision Awards Web site and fill out the online forms. Multiple submissions allowed. Deadline: July 31, 2009. Can't get your point across in the space allowed in the form? Take advantage of the chance to upload more details (Word document, PowerPoint, PDF, image...).

Who Should Enter? Those who work in Minnesota’s hospitality industry can nominate themselves or others to highlight those who perform best practices. Individuals may work as meeting planners, vendors or other third-party partners serving the hospitality industry. Note: One category asks for vendor nominations only, and another category highlight planners’ events. Otherwise every category is open to nominations of either vendors or meeting planners.

Eligibility Requirements: Must be a Minnesota planner, vendor or hospitality employee. Nominated events must have taken place within the past 12 months (July 2008-June 2009).

QUESTIONS? Post a comment on our blog or contact Editor Joel Schettler at jschettler@greenspring.com, 612-371-5869.

Keep up with our conversation about this event on Twitter (@MeetingsMHJ, #mnvisionawards)

--The Editors of Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal