2005 Annual Meeting Press Releases
EDPA Recognizes Three Industry Leaders with The Hazel Hays, Ambassador and Designer of the Year Awards
(December 9, 2005) Atlanta, GA-- On December 2nd at the EDPA Annual Meeting in Tucson, AZ, EDPA awarded Tom Yurkin of Freeman with the Designer of the Year Award, Susan Brauer of Brauer Consulting Group with the Ambassador Award and Elaine Cohen of Live Marketing with the coveted Hazel Hays Award.
More than 35-years-ago, Elaine Cohen, President of Live Marketing, pioneered the concept of live, professional marketing presentations at tradeshows, creating a new niche and a new industry. Since then she has contributed significantly to the professionalism of producing live presentations and marketing programs for tradeshows and events. Elaine is a recognized expert in the tradeshow industry, given more than 100 seminars, published more than 150 articles in major trade journals and has won more than 750 industry awards. This year Cohen became the 30th Hazel Hays recipient.
The Hazel Hays Award is the highest honor bestowed by EDPA. The Award was established in 1976 to honor the memory of Hazel Hays, an industry pioneer who rendered outstanding service to EDPA and the exhibit industry as a whole. EDPA annually invites nomination from the industry at large. The nominee is not required to be an EDPA member.
Susan Brauer, owner of Brauer Consulting Group, was honored as the sixth Ambassador Award recipient for her generous support of EDPA for more than 9 years. As current EDPA Annual Meeting Chair and President of the Upper Midwest EDPA Chapter, Brauer has worked diligently to make a difference in EDPA’s programs. For the past two years, she has successfully led EDPA’s Annual Meeting to record high attendance and helped provide a higher level of overall experience for attendees. A nominator of Brauer’s stated, “ She has committed much of her personal time and worked continuous hours for EDPA. Susan’s industry experience and dedication makes her the perfect candidate for the Ambassador Award.”
The Ambassador Award provides recognition for EDPA members. It was introduced during 2000 as part of EDPAs efforts to provide “Awards for Professional Excellence.”
Tom Yurkin, Vice President of Creative for Freeman, was presented with the 3rd Annual Designer of the Year Award. Tom has spent more than 20 years building a career in the area of exhibit design. Tom is sought out by educational institutions and industry professional organizations as an expert in his field. Tom's designs often incorporate new, unusual or unique materials and building techniques that set standards. What is most impressive, is his enthusiasm and passion for producing creative and effective exhibit program designs and devotes equal attention to large accounts as he does to a small 10 x 10. Tom not only mentors young designers within Freeman, but he spends much of his time in both educational, professional and business arenas promoting the importance of effective exhibit design. He speaks regularly at universities and business seminars and volunteers at IDSA annual conventions to review portfolios for new designers and for the past five years has activley served on the International Student Exhibit Design Scholarship Compeition for the EDPA Foundation. In addition, Tom has written several articles that have been published not only nationally, but also throughout the world. He also recently appeared in the bilingual edition of Event Platform magazine.
In its third year, the Designer of the Year Award recognizes not only an innovative exhibit designer, but someone who is passionate about design, enhances professional standards, commits personal time to help others grow, is viewed as a leader, championed causes or programs and supports EDPA and its growth of exhibit design.
The Exhibit Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) is an internationally recognized national trade association with more than 380 corporate members from 18 countries that are engaged in the design, manufacture, transport, installation and service of displays and exhibits for the trade show and event industry.
EDPA’s purpose is to provide education, leadership and networking for the advancement of its members and the exhibition industry. In addition to providing regional industry education programs through its chapters, hosts an Annual Meeting and Supplier Showcase, holds quarterly Board meetings and publishes a yearly printed newsletter and monthly electronic news bulletin. EDPA also sponsors several annual industry awards.