IEBA Distributes Honors and Awards To Conclude 45th Conference

Pictured (L-R): WME’s Kevin Neal, CAA’s Kylen Sharpe, and Louis Messina of Messina Touring Group pose backstage with their awards during the Honors and Awards Ceremony at the IEBA 2015 Conference. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images

International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA), the trade organization for live entertainment industry, concluded its 45th Annual Conference yesterday evening (Oct. 13) with a performance by Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo who were inducted in to IEBA’s 2015 Hall of Fame. Presenters included Trace Adkins, Gretchen Wilson, Vince Gill, and John Rich. Recipients included Clint Black, The Bridgestone Arena, The Ryman Auditorium, and Kevin Neal (full list below).

“We’re thrilled with the tremendous growth of the organization and conference,” says IEBA President Kell Houston. “The networking opportunities, informational panels, and live performances are unrivaled—the proof is in the record number of enthusiastic attendees this year.”

Next year’s 46th Annual IEBA Conference will be held at Nashville’s Omni on Oct. 8-11.

Pictured (L-R): Agency for the Performing Arts’ Jim Gosnell, Clint Black, Agency for the Performing Arts’ Steve Lassiter and Cass Scripps, and Brinson Strickland of The Collective LA pose backstage at the Honors and Awards Ceremony during the IEBA 2015 Conference. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for IEBA

Pictured (L-R): Vince Gill, Terry Elam, and IBEA President Kell Houston pose backstage, celebrating the establishment of the Terry Elam Scholarship at the Honors and Awards Ceremony. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for IEBA

Bridgestone Arena’s David Kells (L) and Ryman Auditorium’s Sally Williams (R) pose backstage at the Honors and Awards Ceremony. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for IEBA

2015 IEBA HONOR AND AWARD WINNERS:

Casino of the Year
Mohegan Sun – Uncasville, CT

Casino Buyer of the Year
Lori Otelsberg – Signature Entertainment

Club Buyer of the Year
Ed Warm – Joe’s Bar and Bub City

Corporate Buyer of the Year
Gary Osier – Gary Osier Present

Fair of the Year
Wisconsin State Fair – West Allis, WI

Fair Buyer of the Year
Michelle Romeo – Romeo Entertainment Group

Festival of the Year
Austin City Limits – Austin, TX

Festival Buyer of the Year
Gil Cunningham – Neste Event Marketing

International Buyer of the Year
Judy Seale – Judy Seale International

Venue of the Year
Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN

Venue Executive of the Year
Sally Williams – Ryman Auditorium

Talent Agent of the Year
Kevin Neal – WME

Promoter of the Year
Louis Messina – Messina Touring Group

Rookie of the Year
Kylen Sharpe – CAA

Career Achievement Award
Clint Black

Hall of Fame Inductees
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo

Industry Achievement Award
Country Concert in Fort Loramie, Ohio