Wallace, managing director of the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre since 1995 and IAAM president in 1984-85, was selected from a group of extraordinary nominees representing the most outstanding leaders and innovators in the meetings, convention, exhibition and travel industries. He and three other leaders will be inducted during the 2011 Hall of Leaders Gala in Baltimore held next June.
“We are pleased to announce the winners of this prestigious award,” said Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP, Chief Executive Officer for the Convention Industry Council (CIC). “There is tremendous talent in our industry, and the 2011 class clearly meets the criteria for this award, and all have shown leadership and contributions spanning many facets of the industry as well as contributing to society as a whole.”
Nominations were submitted either by CIC member organizations or the general industry community. Only those who have substantially contributed to the industry and whose efforts continue to shape it qualify for nomination into the CIC Hall of Leaders. Nominees must also have proven versatility through a range of actions that have impacted and re-defined meetings, conventions, exhibitions and/or travel. A selection committee, appointed by the CIC Board of Directors, met to review the nominations and recommend inductees. The CIC Board of Directors then approved the slate.
Wallace is a 38-year public venue management veteran who has planned and managed venues in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia. Wallace was instrumental in the introduction of private management of public facilities. He introduced a radically different financial operating model for government and venue owner/authorities that has become an established industry management option and practice.
Wallace has served as Chairman of UFI, Asia Pacific Exhibition and Convention Council, World Council for Venue Management and Hong Kong Polytechnic School of Hotel and Tourism Management in addition to his years of service to IAAM. Wallace was nominated by IAAM for this special award.