SPIN, the Senior Planners Industry Network, is encouraging meeting planner “veterans” to apply for SPIN: 40 Over 40 – a new initiative to recognize and honor planners who are industry role models, influencers, innovators, and pioneers.

Self-nominations are encouraged as well as nominations from peers or colleagues. Applicants and nominees do not need to be SPIN members – they just need to be at least 40 years old, have at least 10 years of experience as a meeting planner, and still be actively planning full or part time.

A selection committee will choose the final 40 honorees and each will receive two free registrations (one for the honoree, and one for their nominator or a fellow qualified planner*), for SPINCon 2017, SPIN’s annual educational conference.  A ceremony will be held at the event to recognize the honorees among their peers.

SPIN is a supplier-free community of peers that delivers innovative ideas, belonging, validation, and self-celebration to experienced planners who are more than their name badge through live and virtual events. Founded in 2008 by Shawna Suckow, SPIN’s mission is to be a resource to veteran planners, provide education and peer-to-peer support, validate and celebrate its members accomplishments, and be an influential voice in the future of the industry.

Suckow explained why SPIN is launching this recognition program now: “There's a lot of recognition in our industry for young planners, which is fantastic, but we want to be sure that we recognize and celebrate those who laid the foundation in our industry, as well as those who continue to do amazing things in their mid- and late career.”

Nominations are being accepted through October 5, 2017 at http://www.spinplanners.com/40over40.

*Note: you must have a minimum of ten years of planning experience to be eligible to attend SPINCon. This year’s event will be held at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas, December 3-5.