LAS VEGAS — Every year is an election year for PLSN and FOH readers who first nominate then vote for Hometown Hero candidates and, separately, nominate and vote for companies, individuals and products vying for Parnelli honors. And — thankfully — these competitions proceed smoothly and courteously, with none of the contenders locking horns with nasty negative campaigning or chanting for the incarceration (or worse) for their rivals.
As noted in previous newsletters, the separate-but-linked Hometown Hero and Indispensable Technology (“IT”) Awards parts of the Parnelli Awards process is already well under way. PLSN and FOH readers have already nominated the regional lighting and sound company finalists. Hometown Hero voting continues; the deadline this year is August 8. “IT” Award nominations for top Lighting, Audio, Video and Staging products is also under way, and will continue through August. And the nomination form for the other Parnelli Awards categories launches next Monday, Aug. 1, and will continue through Aug. 31.
The final Parnelli Awards ballot – including nominees for all the individuals, companies and products culled during August together with the Hometown Hero winners in five U.S. regions plus Canada – will be posted in early September. That’s when the full and final voting opportunity takes place for all Parnelli Awards. Winners will be revealed when the envelopes are opened at the podium during the Oct. 22 ceremony at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, joining this year’s Lifetime Achievement, Visionary and Audio Innovator award winners (respectively, Richard Fernandez, Danny O’Bryen and Greg Mackie).
On Oct. 20, the Thursday prior to the Oct. 22 awards ceremony on Saturday, the 2016 PLSN/FOH Parnelli Classic Golf Tournament will take place at Siena Golf Club in Las Vegas. As in years past, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Parnelli Scholarship Fund, supporting the next generation of live event professionals studying at UNLV.
Once again, both the Parnelli Awards gala and golf tournament owe their very existence to the generous support of more than 30 sponsors. We can’t thank them enough!
For more information on sponsorship opportunities, to reserve a table, and see related news, please visit www.parnelliawards.com.
