Member of the Year Award (Heart Award)

The ABC Member of the Year award honors a member who has demonstrated outstanding dedication, involvement, and leadership within ABC and the wedding industry. These members’ contributions have had a significant impact on the wedding and event planning industry, as well as ABC's growth and success. Nominees for this award must be active ABC members in good standing with at least 6 consecutive years of membership.

Nomination Overview (150 words)

Provide a brief overview of the nominee’s contributions to the wedding industry and to ABC in the past year. Answer the following questions in your submission:

• What is the nominee’s top contribution to the wedding industry this year?

• What is their most significant contribution to ABC this year?

• Why should the nominee receive the ABC Member of the Year award?

This overview may be used in promotional materials, and ABC reserves the right to modify this description for program use.

Nomination Details (350-500 words)

Please answer the following questions in order, leaving space between responses for maximum clarity and point value:

1. How many years of consecutive membership does the nominee have? (Membership duration must be 6 years or more. ABC staff will verify.)

2. Describe the nominee’s full involvement in the wedding industry this year. Highlight their professional achievements, roles, and contributions to industry advancements.

3. How would you describe the nominee’s participation, contributions, and involvement with ABC this year? Include any leadership roles, event participation, advocacy, or efforts that have helped strengthen ABC’s mission.

4. How has the nominee impacted their local ABC chapter or the organization as a whole this year? Provide specific examples of how they’ve influenced the growth, development, or success of their local chapter or ABC on a national scale.

Supporting Materials for Submission

Please upload the following items with your award submission to complete the evaluation:

• Required: A letter of recommendation from an ABC Leadership Team member or Chapter Leader or State Manager (350 words maximum).

• Two supporting pieces of information that demonstrate the nominee’s actions and contributions, such as photos, letters of recommendation from ABC members, public press coverage, or involvement in ABC-related events.

• A testimonial from the nominee describing how being part of ABC has personally and professionally impacted their life.

Who Should Apply:

·         Long-Term Active Members (6+ years): Members with at least 6 years of membership who have made significant contributions to ABC's mission and activities. They should be recognized leaders who have demonstrated continuous engagement in both local and national ABC initiatives.

·         Industry Leaders with Significant Impact: Those who have contributed to educational programs, networking opportunities, and overall industry growth. This could include corporate members or educators who consistently support ABC’s initiatives.

·         Example: A wedding designer who has been an active member for years, mentoring others, leading a webinar series, and consistently volunteering at ABC events.