PAST WINNERS 2026

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A Legacy of Excellence

Past Award & Scholarship Winners

Honoring the people and companies who have shaped the exhibition and event services industry.

Lifetime Achievement Award

  • 2025Ray Pekowski
  • 2024Chuck Grouzard
  • 2023Aaron Bludworth
  • 2022Carl Mitchell
  • 2019Julie Smith
  • 2018Don Vaughn
  • 2018Steve Hagstette
  • 2016Nort Rittmaster
  • 2013Don Freeman
  • 2013Larry Arnaudet
  • 2012Bob Lozier
  • 2012Ralph Iverson

Innovation Award

  • 2025MatchPoint
  • 2024August Robotics
  • 2023Aluvision
  • 2022SMT Expo
  • 2021Fern
  • 2020BeMatrix
  • 2019Vince Ovist

Humanitarian Award

  • 2025Ryan Yemm
  • 2024Bobby Lee
  • 2022UFI
  • 2021IATSE
  • 2017Fern
  • 2017Expo Convention Contractors, Inc.
  • 2017Shepard Exposition Services, Inc.
  • 2017Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
  • 2017George R. Brown Convention Center

Diversity & Inclusion Award

  • 2025Marlena Sullivan
  • 2025Steve Margos
  • 2024Robert Annable
  • 2024Aluvision, Inc.
  • 2023IT Studio Design LLC

Rising Leader Excellence Award

  • 2025Will Estes
  • 2024Alyssa Konareski
  • 2024Ben Cramer
  • 2024Katherine Baize

Outstanding Service Award

  • 2024Boomer Commerce
  • 2022Sheila LeMaster
  • 2021Mark Staples
  • 2021Tommy Blitsch
  • 2021Employco
  • 2019Bob Ryley
  • 2018Alan Lichtman
  • 2017Michael Cox
  • 2017Diana Warren Gonzalez
  • 2017Neil McMullin
  • 2017Chris Schimek
  • 2017Ken Viscovich
  • 2017Mark Zimmerman
  • 2016Pat Putzer
  • 2016Norm Friedrich
  • 2016CORT Trade Show and Event Furnishings
  • 2015Susan Bendily
  • 2015Guy Langlais
  • 2014Richard P. Curran
  • 2014Mark Murphy
  • 2014Lyne Cheng
  • 2013Chuck Grouzard
  • 2013Darlene Gudea

President’s Award

  • 2024Jim Kelley
  • 2021Randy Pekowski
  • 2019Julie Kagy
  • 2018Julia Smith
  • 2014Chuck Grouzard
  • 2013Marcel Lucero
  • 2012Aaron Bludworth

Volunteer of the Year Award

  • 2023Karen Murphy
  • 2022Debbie Rorabaugh
  • 2021Brett Mitchell
  • 2019Kevin McLaughlin
  • 2018Mike Morrison
  • 2017Esther Williams

Sales Professional of the Year

  • 2023Tammy McGlade
Investing in the Future

Dennis Hale Memorial Scholarship

Academic and need-based scholarships awarded to industry members and their families, funded in part by the WCA 50/50 raffle.

2025

Ashley Kristine Bonner, Mackenzie Giles, Thomas Owen Grossenbacher, William Grossenbacher, Kelsey Klinger, Kylee Jordan Klinger, Tyler Kleinsasser, Megan Lipari, Chris Previlon

2024

Kelsea Nichole Schafer, Jordan Lee Zacharias, Wes Michael Ryley, Christopher Servedio, Hayley Fishel

2023

Skylar Kagy, James Thayer Zacharias, Kate Emma Gorey

2022

Blaz D’Adamo, Camden Belanger, Kelly Dearman, Emma Sanchez, Justin Van Velzer, Riley Smith, Abigail Smith

2021

Avery Goodwin, Catherine Basch, Abbie Praag, Grace Grouzard, Kasey Curry, Madisyn Pestka

2020

Ben Basch, Stephen Peck, Aiden Abbott, Jacob Argo, Tymier Farrar, Lexi Kruger, Alexander Peck, Alicia Robbins

2019

Alex Malfa, Emily Hall, John Walsh

2018

Madison Marie Ryley, Morgan Miller Ryley, Madeline Rea Grouzard, Sarah Caroline Basch

2017

Victoria Fitzpatrick, Michael DeNobile, Joseph Malfa

2016

Aaron Pignatiello, Crystal Atkins, Amanda Carroll, Megan Carroll