The Colorado Chapter’s Awards Recognition was established in 1989 under President Lynette Schick and was originally part of the September educational conference. Carl Thompson and Sandi Lynn, National Board officers, were in attendance.

In 1990 and 1991, the awards recognition was held at the June meeting and was a very special event. In June 1992, the Awards banquet became a weekend venture and held in our mountain properties. Families were highly encouraged to attend. Friday nights were usually get-togethers; Saturday activities were planned or just time for families to roam the sites of the city. The formal banquet and recognition was held on Saturday evening with music and dancing.

Themes were given to our awards weekends:

YEAR	THEME
1995	Denim to Diamonds
1996	50s
1997	A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

The Awards Committee usually begins preparing 10 months prior to the event. In April, nomination forms are sent to Chapter members in good standing asking them to nominate an individual they feel should earn the recognition of Outstanding Planner of the Year and Outstanding Supplier of the Year. The Chapter President awards the “President’s Award” to an individual who he/she feels has done exemplary service for the Chapter.

Outgoing Board members receive gifts of appreciation, which are chosen by the Chapter President.

1992	Board members received monogrammed plaques
1997	Board members received monogrammed clocks/business cardholders
1998	Board members received monogrammed wooden desk/pen sets, depicting the Colorado Rocky Mountain/SGMP logo
1999	Board members received personal monogrammed wooden pens in a habndsome wooden holder engraved with the SGMP/RMC logo
2000	Board members received monogrammed blue desk plaques, depicting the Rocky Mountain SGMP logo
2001	Board members received monogrammed white acrylic desk plaques plus a personal gift from the chapter president

The Chapter President may also give a personal note of thanks and gift to the Board of Directors. Committee chairman are recognized for their dedication with Certificates of Appreciation. All members who have served on committees receive Certificates of Appreciation.

In August 1997, since the awards weekends were not as profitable as anticipated, and attendance became lower each year, the Board approved to move the awards banquet back to the June monthly meeting, being a more formal occasion. The Board felt that when a member receives a special award, it’s more rewarding to have all Chapter members share in their joy. Starting in June 2009, the Awards Gala was once again moved to being an evening reception.

Honors and Awards Gala Themes

2015	Ebony & Ivory
2014	25th Anniversary
2013	Night of the Oscars
2012	A Knight of Celebration
2011	Night with the Stars
2010	21st Annual Black &White H&A Gala
2009	20th Annual H&A Lunch “Growing Together”
2008	?
2007	18th Annual H&A Gala
2006	17th Annual H&A Gala
2005	Annual Awards Luncheon
2004	15th Annual SGMP Awards Night
2003	14th Annual SGMP Awards Night
2002	13th Annual SGMP Awards Night
2001	12th Annual SGMP Awards Night
2000	11th Annual SGMP Awards Night
1999	10th Annual SGMP Awards Night
1998
1997	A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes
1996	50s
1995	Denim to Diamonds
1994
1993	?? Theme; held in the mountains; weekend event
1992	?? Theme; held in the mountains; weekend event
1991	Held at the June chapter meting
1990	Held at the June chapter meting
1989	First SGMP Awards event; part of the September educational conference

YEAR	OUTSTANDING PLANNER	OUTSTANDING SUPPLIER	PRESIDENT’S AWARD
2015	Pamela Temple, CGMP	Kim Hawks, CMP, CGMP	MaryLou Wallace, CGMP Mark Richardson, CGMP
2014	MaryLou Wallace, CGMP	Mark Richardson	Kim Hawks, CMP, CGMP
2013	Mary Williams, CGMP	Shannon Dempsey, CHSP	Mary Williams, CGMP
2012	Claudette M. Ferris, CAP-OM, CGMP	Karen Davis	Kimberly Forte
2011	Chele Clark, CGMP	Kimberly Forte	Chele Clark, CGMP
2010	Mary Williams	Joseph Powell	Linda Walters
2009	Joanne Kanost, CMP, CGMP	Karen Davis	Leslie Navarro, CMP
			Karen Davis
2008	Kimberly Pease	Angela Blackstock	Angela Blackstock
2007	Kay Bothwell, CMP	Gia Joko	2006/2007 Board of Directors
			* Kimberly Pease
			* Gia Joko
			* Mary Williams
			* Angela Blackstock
			* Leslie Navarro, CMP
			* Linda Walters
			* Joann Kanost, CMP, CGMP
			* Barbara Guest
2006	Barbara Guest	ReBecca Dillahunty, CMP	Kay Bothwell, CMP
2005	Linda Schmitt	Steve Ferency	Terri Trevino
			Cathy Pergola, CHSP
2004	Dr. Cynthia Vannucci, CMP	Cathy Pergola, CHSP	Terri Trevino
			Barbara Guest
2003	Kay Bothwell, CMP	Christine Huffington, CHSP, CMP	Claudette Ferris CPS
2002	Claudette Ferris CPS	Christine Huffington, CHSP	Sydney Hoskins
2001	Kay Bothwell	Sydney Hoskins	Lynette Schick, CMP
2000	Linda Schmitt	Susan Cecere-Fisher, CHME	ReBecca Dillahunty, CMP
1999	Henrietta Cullinane, CMP	Melinda Welling	Claudette Ferris CPS
1998	Claudette Ferris CPS	ReBecca Dillahunty, CMP	n/a
1997	Rasa Eglite	Darsey Gordon	Lynette Schick, CMP
1996	Cindy Nelson, CMP	Alan Cardenas CHSP	Linda Schmitt
1995	Diane Caponera	Charlotte Corvi	Margaret Martin
1994	Lynette Schick	Elizabeth Lyons	Claudette Ferris CPS
1993	Pamelia Nixon	Tom Pickering	Ted Davis
1992	Alyson Sneddon	Tim Litherland	Claudette Ferris
1991	Margaret Martin	Philip Levy	Deb Guerrie
			Tim Litherland
1990	Len Hooper	Lil Pfaff	Tim Litherland
1989	Lynette Schick	Philip Levy	Cynthia Askew

Outstanding Planner,Supplier, President’s Award

In June 1998, the Chapter Annual Awards Banquet was held at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, with 73 in attendance, which included spouses, guests, and bosses. Neale Brown, news anchor for KUSA-Channel 9 TV, was our emcee and introduced the committee chairmen and presented the outstanding awards.

At the 2001 Awards Banquet, the Chapter was honored to have as its Master of Ceremonies actor John Ashton. Colorado State Representative Debbie Stafford gave the official oath of office to the new Chapter officers.

At the 2002 Awards Banquet, the Chapter was honored to have Colorado State Representative Debbie Stafford as its Mistress of Ceremonies, who also gave the official oath of office to the new Board of Directors.

In 1998, the Chapter created two new awards: New Member of the Year and Company of the Year.

Criteria for the New Member of the Year included: a) nominee must be a member in good standing and have joined within 18 months of nomination date, b) nominee must be an active member of a committee, c) nominee may not be a member of the Awards Committee and d) nominee must have attended a minimum of three meetings.

Candidates for the Outstanding Planner, Outstanding Supplier and New Member of the Year had to submit their qualifications: a) professional achievements, b) contributions to SGMP, c) participation in other community, civic, or other voluntary or professional organizations and d) continuing education credentials, awards, honors.

Criteria for Company of the Year included: a) nominee must be a property/company which holds SGMP membership, b) nominee must provide a consistently high level of customer service, c) nominee must maintain a superior overall atmosphere and quality of product and d) nominee’s representative must have demonstrated active involvement in SGMP. Their qualifications also included having to list how many SGMP functions they hosted or had participated in.

Qualifications for all candidates were reviewed by three judges not affiliated with SGMP but were in the meetings/travel industry.

And the Winners Are:

YEAR	NEW MEMBER OF THE YEAR	COMPANY OF THE YEAR
2015	N/A	Grand Junction CVB
2014	Grace Nied, CGMP	Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center
2013	Angelia Meaux, CGMP	Hilton Ft. Collins
2012	N/A	Crowne Plaza Colorado Springs
2011	N/A (Veteran Awards were given out to members and properties)	The Brown Palace & Spa
2010	Joseph Powell (Supplier)	Crowne Plaza Colorado Springs
	Rachel Carmen (Planner)
2009	N/A	Holiday Inn Denver Lakewood
2008	Chele Clark	Golden Hotel
2007	Raya Waldron	Millennium Harvest House Boulder
2006	Diane Burdette-Lincoln	Breckenridge Hospitality & Lodibng/Great Divide Lodge
2005	Kristin Duncan, CHSP	Renaissance Hotel Denver
2004	Carolyn Israel & Janet Cowley	Denver Metro CVB
2003	Cathy Pergola	DoubleTree Hotel Denver Boulder
2002	Amy Rezvani, CHSP	Keystone Resort
2001	Michael DuBe	Holiday Inn Southeast
2000	Kay Bothwell	Regal Harvest House
1999	Ronda Morrow	Holiday Inn Northglenn
1998	Alethea “Bunny” Osburn	Holiday Inn Southeast

In May 1998, the Chapter also initiated the “Silver Plate Award” (later changed to “Culinary Award for Excellence”). Criteria for this award includes: a) nominee must have demonstrated the most creativity and culinary talent in their presentation at a monthly SGMP meeting, b) meeting must have been held from the previous May through April of the current year and c) property where the annual award dinner and/or conference is held is not eligible until the following year.

AND THE WINNERS for the “CULINARY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE” ARE:

YEAR	CULINARY AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
2015	Wellshire Event Center
2014	Sheraton Denver Tech Center
2013	DoubleTree by Hilton Denver Stapleton & Renaissance Denver Hotel
2012	The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa
2011	The Warwick Hotel
2010	Millennium Harvest House
2009	Doubletree Hotel Denver Tech
2008	Warwick Hotel
2007	Doubletree Denver North
2006	Marriott Denver West
2005	Sheraton Denver West
2004	Marriott Denver West
2003	Doubletree Hotel Denver Tech
2002	Admas Mark Hotel Denver
2001	Holiday Inn Northglenn
2000	Holiday Inn Southeast
1999	Holiday Inn Southeast

Honors and Awards Gala 2011

In 2011, the Chapter presented the first “Veteran’s Awards” for those members who have provided ongoing support to the chapter since (or before) 1995:

• Cheryl Blanton-Chisolm
• ReBecca Dillahunty, CMP
• Claudette M. Ferris, CPS/CAP,CGMP
• Joann Kanost, CMP, CGMP
• Sharon Kirts
• Leslie Navaro, CGMP
• Stephanie Samano
• Lynette Schick, CMP
• Linda Schmitt
• Mary Williams, CGMP

These properties were also recognized for their ongoing support of the Chapter prior to 1995:

• DoubleTree Hotel Denver at Stapleton
• Experience Colorado Springs
• Visit Denver
• Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center
• DoubleTree Hotel Denver North
• The Stanley Hotel
• Red Lion Denver Central

A GEM award was presented to Mark Richardson (for his support of the Chapter).

A “Star” Recognition Award was presented to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for its ongoing continued support of Chapter members/leaders for the past 20+ years.

An “Honorarium” Award was presented to Melody Kebe, CGMP, past SGMP National President, for her ongoing support of the Chapter.

“GEM of Our Society” Awards

Beginning in 2008 a “GEM of our Society” Award was created by the Chapter Board to honor members for their outstanding commitment and dedication who actively contribute to the success of the Chapter. Recipients of this Award are:

November 18, 2014	Cynthia Ross; Shannon Dempsey
June 2014	Lynette Schick, CMP
February 2014	MaryLou Wallace, CGMP
November 2013	Mary Williams, CGMP
July 22, 2008	Kim Kobetz (Hawks), CMP
September 23, 2008	Donan Horii
October 2008	Carolyn Bentsel, SGMP Membership Services Manager (via USPS delivery)
October 2, 2010	Stacy Long
June 28, 2011	Mark Richardson
April ? 2012	Chele Clark, CGMP Kim Hawks, CMP, CGMP
June 26, 2012	Steve Ferency,CGMP

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