EDPA's Top Award Goes to Ducate

Doug Ducate, president and CEO of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, received the Exhibit Designers & Producers Assn.'s highest honor, the Hazel Hays Award, late last year. EDPA presents the award annually in recognition of distinguished achievement and significant contributions to the tradeshow industry.

Ducate received the award during the association's 2007 Annual Conference and Supplier Showcase, held Nov. 28-30 in Marco Island, Fla.

EDPA presented several other awards during the conference:

• The 2007 Ambassador Award went to Dave Walens, president of Brumark and chairman of the EDPA Foundation. This award goes each year to an EDPA member who has made an outstanding contribution to the organization and the exhibit production and design industry. Walens serves on the EDPA board of directors, co-chairs the EDPA chapter development committee, and is chairman of the environmental leadership committee and the EDPA Foundation.
• EDDIE Awards for marketing excellence went to Derse Exhibits (first place), Live Marketing (second place) and Blue Telescope (third place). This was Derse's second consecutive win.
• The first annual Chapter of the Year Award went to the EDPA Southeast U.S. Chapter.
• The Designer of the Year Award went to Munis Oomatia of MG Design.