FROM THE PRESIDENT
DJ LONGO | TERRA FIRMA REAL ESTATE
Planning Tributes Takes a Village
W
hile getting ready for any AAMD event requires careful
planning and faithful volunteers, getting ready for Tributes
2015 stands in a class of its own. Hundreds of hours have
ultimately gone into coordinating all the pieces of this event,
and the industry volunteers who have dedicated their time deserve to be recognized, as each subcommittee held their own meetings to take care of their
slice of the event.
Allison Moledo and Marci French and the rest of the Marketing Subcommittee were spotted at several AAMD events, and even visiting properties
the last several months in formal attire, helping to spread the word of this
amazing evening to celebrate Excellence in our industry on November 6.
Shelly Grant and Joe Saunders worked with the Facilities and Menu Subcommittee, to plan an amazing kick off party back in March. They have selected a menu that is sure to please and planned an after party you are not
going to want to miss!
Peggy Panzer, Christine Miskie and the production subcommittee have
planned an extraordinary evening that promises to be different from any Tributes. They’ve hinted about several surprises and entertainment pieces that will
keep the evening fresh and engaging.
Laurie Lyons and Mike Papantonakis, along with the Judge Selection
committee, were able to secure 87 non biased, non industry judges, who visited
properties and interviewed for a total of more than 700 hours combined.
Pam Frankenreiter and Jennifer Nessett led the Awards subcommittee in
choosing the appropriate number of awards and prepare the Call for Entries
last Spring.
Lynett Brockman and Chad Craven led a team that have sold 123 tables to
date. We are well on our way to another record attended event.
Cherie Shaw and Jennifer Watkins together with all of the committees have
helped secure nearly $250,000 in sponsorships. These sponsorship dollars are
allowing us to have the type of event we are currently planning. I promise this
is an event you will not want to miss!
All of these subcommittees came together monthly with the Tributes 2015
Chairs, Meredith Wright and Derek Avery - who have been fantastic leaders
for this event and in the industry.
Finally, enough can’t be said about Tributes Honorary Chair, Foy Bailey
and Community Interiors. Not only did she make an incredible investment in
being the Presenting Sponsor of Tributes for the fifth straight time, Foy and her
team have dedicated many hours to serving on these subcommittees and even
acting as an extension of the AAMD Staff during the two weeks of judging last
month.
Without the dedication of these individuals their companies, and the volunteers who worked with all of them on their respective sub-committees,
November 6 would not be the same. I look forward to celebrating the excellence
of our industry with you next month.
D.J. Longo
2015-2016 AAMD President
A F TER P ART Y
STAY & PLAY AT THE
CELEBRATE W I TH YOUR T E A M A N D F R IE N D S U N T IL 1 :0 0 A M
W I TH L I V E M US I C , D A N C IN G A N D C O C K T A ILS .
SP O N SO R E D B Y :
Living Excellence
6 | TRENDS • OCTOBER 2015
www.aamdhq.org