Education Investment Spans Career Stages
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has announced its 2025 scholarship and grant recipients, distributing awards across multiple programs designed to support professionals and students at different career stages. The organization awarded 26 Helen Brett Scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students, alongside additional grants targeting international professionals and underserved communities.
"We are thrilled to support this exceptional group of scholars and professionals as they advance their careers in the exhibitions and events industry," said IAEE President & CEO Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM. "These scholarships and grants represent IAEE's ongoing commitment to nurturing talent at every stage, from high school students discovering our dynamic industry to seasoned professionals expanding their global expertise."
Helen Brett Scholarship Recipients
The Helen Brett Scholarship, established by Robert Kolinek, CEM, CMP and named for his grandmother who was a pioneer in the trade show industry, awarded 23 scholarships to undergraduate students and three to graduate students. Recipients attend universities across the United States, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Texas at Austin, Louisiana State University, and University of Houston.
Notable recipients include Desiree Robertson from Georgia State University, who also received an internship for Expo! Expo! IAEE's Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2025 in Houston, Texas. Graduate recipients are Angelika Bazarnik from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Maria Molitor from University of Sioux Falls, and Margaret Thompson from New York University.
International and Diversity Programs
The Bob Dallmeyer Education Fund, supporting international exhibition and event industry education, awarded grants to two recipients. Kelley Jo Mynatt, Exhibit Sales and Operations Manager at North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) in the United States, received funding alongside Nelliah "Nelly" Paulser, Exhibition and Events Coordinator at Graphic House Zim in Zimbabwe.
The IAEE DE&I Scholarship, established by IAEE member Rochelle Richardson, CEM, was awarded to Tatiana Lopez-Cunningham from Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, Texas. Lopez-Cunningham has been accepted to attend University of Miami, where she will major in public relations with a focus on hospitality and event management.
The DE&I program specifically targets graduating high school students from diverse backgrounds and under-served communities, creating equal opportunities for recipients to pursue college-level education programs in the exhibitions and events industry.
Based on reporting by IAEE. Read the original article.