LAS VEGAS — When the 2014 Parnelli Awards take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Nov. 22, it will be the 14th time the event has been staged, and the first time Patrick Stansfield will not be able to attend. Stansfield died Oct. 28 in Burbank, CA at age 70. While his physical absence will be conspicuous, the 2014 event — and those to come — will remain infused with Stansfield’s passion for excellence, a lasting legacy that will be plainly evident everywhere you turn.
Patrick Stansfield, together with executive producer and PLSN publisher Terry Lowe, was co-creator and co-producer of the awards program. And as Lowe notes, it was Stansfield who had the flash of inspiration to name of the awards in honor of the late, great Rick “Parnelli” O’Brien — nicknamed for his driving skills after 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones.*
In the hours, days and weeks following Stansfield’s passing, the memory wall linked to ParnelliAwards.com started filling up with remembrances of a man who both demanded Parnelli-caliber excellence from others throughout his long career but was also quick to honor the achievements of others who held equally lofty standards for acceptable work. That’s what the Parnelli Awards are all about.
At this year’s event, hosted by Fee Waybill, three others are being honored for achievements over the course of their long and continuing careers: Benny Collins (Lifetime Achievement Award), Howard Ungerleider (Visionary Award) and Bob Goldstein (Audio Innovator Award).
Nearly two dozen other awards will be bestowed for live event excellence, honoring individuals (including Lighting Designer, Board Operator, Set/Scenic Designer, Video Designer, Tour Manager and Production Manager of the Year), companies (including Lighting, Staging, Video Production Company and Hometown Hero Lighting Company of the Year) and products (the Indispensable Technology “IT” Awards for Lighting, Video, Staging and Audio products).
Every Parnelli Awards gala staged so far has included laughter and celebration along with moments of poignancy, and yes, even tears. It’s become an industry institution because an awards program based on voting from one’s peers is so rich in meaning.
The 2014 gala begins Nov. at 8 p.m. after the cocktail reception at 7 p.m. To check and see if there are still any last-minute tickets available — and to sign up for the 2014 Parnelli Golf Classic at Siena Golf Club on Nov. 20 — go to www.parnelliawards.com.
For more details on Patrick Stansfield and his contribution to the live event production industry, CLICK HERE.
* Rufus “Parnelli” Jones, who adopted the Italian-sounding name so his parents wouldn’t find out he was racing cars in his younger years, is now, at 81, the oldest living Indy 500 champion.
