Dallas, TX – Steven Hacker is the recipient of the 2012 Joint Industry Meetings Council (JMIC) Profile and Power Award for his long career and accomplishments in the trade show and meetings industry, the JMIC announced November 27.
Hacker is the first American to receive the international honor, which was launched in 2005.
Hacker recently retired as president of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). He was saluted by the JMIC for his leading role in lobbying in Washington on behalf of the exhibition industry.
“During my term as IAEE president, it was very rewarding to work with lawmakers in many branches of the U.S. government to reinforce the value of face-to-face events and the positive effects they continue to have on the global economy,” said Hacker.
JMIC said as a result of the advocacy efforts of Hacker, IAEE, the U.S. Travel Association and ASAE – The Center for Association Leadership, the U.S. government had taken effective steps to improve the visa application process that had cost show organizers a sizable number of attendees and exhibitors. The association said 90% of current applications are now cleared within three weeks, and the capacity for processing visas in China and Brazil increased 40% over the recent past.
The JMIC, based in Brussels, is made up of associations representing the trade show and conference industry, including IAEE, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.
Past recipients of the Profile and Power Award include Eduardo Chaillo, director of the Mexico Tourism Board and the MPI Canada Foundation.
Reach Philippe Fournier, JMIC president, at (32) 496 235 32 or philippe.fournier@mci-group.com
