By R.V. Baugus and Joint Meetings Industry Council
Cliff Wallace, CVE, added another deserved recognition recently when he was selected to receive the 2020 Unity Award from the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC). Wallace was formally presented with the award December 10 as part of the IBTM World awards program this year taking place online by Kai Hattendorf, President of the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC).
“In an industry that has been evolving as quickly as ours the importance of long-standing industry leaders, 
advocates and role-models cannot be underestimated,” Hattendorf said. “This year’s Unity Award winner exemplifies the concept of lifetime achievement, not only through his organizational affiliations but as a pioneer, educator and mentor for generations of industry participants.
“At the same time, he played a huge role in introducing the industry and the principles it stands for into new regions at a critical point in their development. While each year we are presented with a challenge in selecting just one recipient for the Unity Award I can honestly say that this recipient is particularly deserving for both the length and breadth of his contributions.”
Wallace has had many years of service in the development, design, construction, project planning, managing, operating and day-to-day business of public assembly venue management and has elevated those venues to a respected presence in the communities in which they are located. At the same time, he has been a senior leader of numerous industry associations and a highly respected instructor / mentor in a wide range of key industry training programs. He has won a number of global awards for his work, and continues to contribute well into his semi-retirement as an industry ambassador and advisor.
The Unity Award is made annually to an individual who represents the best qualities of Meetings Industry Leadership and who has devoted major efforts to creating stronger relationships and a greater cohesion for the industry. Award criteria evaluate industry leadership and initiative both in a candidate’s own professional conduct and the efforts they put into industry-building through association, education and professional development activities.
To see the video of the presentation and Cliff’s acceptance of the award, click here.
Previous Unity Award Winners
2019 Joachim König | Managing Director, Hannover Congress Center
2018 Karen Bolinger | CEO, Melbourne Convention Bureau
2017 Ray Bloom | Chairman, IMEX Group
2016 Anita Pires | Director, Pires & Associados Assessoria Ltda
2015 David Peckinpaugh | President, Maritz Travel Group
2014 Tom Hulton | Director of International Relations, IMEX Group
2013 Michael Hirst | Chairman of the Business Visits & Events Partnership in the UK
2012 Airy Garrigosa | Director Barcelona Convention Bureau
2011 Luc Maene | Director General, International Fertilizer Industry Association and President, Society of Association Executives
2010 Christian Mutschlechner | Vienna Convention Bureau
2009 Barbara Maple
2008 Hans Friis | Brahler ICS AG
2007 Roger Tondeur | President and Founder MCI Group
2006 Luca Favetta | SAP
2005 Laure Mouton | Executive Director, Palais des Congrès de Paris
2004 Olivier Lépine | Director, Biarritz Tourisme
2003 Jorge Castex | Managing Director, ICS International Conference Services
