The 2013 Annual International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) Honors and Awards dinner, hosted by superstar Kix Brooks, was held recently at the Omni Nashville to celebrate the live entertainment industry’s top buyers, promoters, and venue managers during the annual conference which culminated with record attendance.
Industry icon David Corlew was this year’s Career Achievement Award recipient as George and Nancy Jones became this year’s inductees into IEBA’s Hall of Fame. For more information, visit www.ieba.org
This year’s conference offered attendees well-crafted panels on such topics as the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo’s groundbreaking social media campaign, promoting teamwork between promoter and venue, maximizing mobile marketing, safety and emergency procedures and new faces making a big impact.
“The panels, the showcases and the attendees created a great atmosphere for networking, information and exceptional performances. This year’s conference, awards and honors set the stage for continued growth for this organization,” said Ed Warm, chairman of IEBA.
The complete list of this year’s winners includes:
Festival Buyer of the Year — Gil Cunningham, Neste Event Marketing, Brentwood, Tenn.
Fair Buyer of the Year — Steve Bogdanovich, Romeo Entertainment Group, Omaha, Neb.
Casino Buyer of the Year — Robyn Smith, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi, Biloxi, Miss.
Corporate Buyer of the Year — Randy Wright, Integrity Events, Nashville, Tenn.
Venue Executive of the Year — David Farrar, Budweiser Events Center, Loveland, Col.
Promoter of the Year — Brian O’Connell, Live Nation, Nashville, Tenn.
International Buyer of the Year — Ron Sakamoto, Live Nation Canada, Gold & Gold Productions, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Club Buyer of the Year — Mitchell Jaworek, Birchmere, Alexandria, Va.
Rookie of the Year — Adam Brill, Agency of the Performing Arts, Los Angeles, Calif.
IEBA and its annual conference stand alone in the entertainment industry by showcasing the most current and diverse entertainment options for buyers, and providing unparalleled networking and informational opportunities to its members. Additionally, IEBA endows over half a million dollars in scholarships to universities across the country. IEBA prepares the next generation of industry leaders through mentoring, educational workshops and job placement.
