Int’l Entertainment Buyers Assoc. Names 2015 Nominees, Sets Nashville Convention

IEBA (International Entertainment Buyers Association) was formed to represent the interest of entertainment buyers, and it's annual fall convention has become a must attend event for all aspects of the live touring industry.

EBA has announced its 2015 Hall of Fame inductees and achievement honorees to be recognized at the close of its 45th Annual Conference on Oct. 13.IEBA’s Hall of Fame acknowledges elite entertainment industry professionals and includes Dick Clark and Lawrence Welk, Johnny Cash and The Doobie Brothers, Erv Woolsey and Dale Morris. This year, IEBA will induct four-time Grammy winner Pat Benatar and guitarist/songwriter/producer Neil Giraldo. IEBA will also honor Clint Black with a Career Achievement Award and Country Concert in Fort Loramie, Ohio with an Industry Achievement Award.Pat Benatar remains a fearless leader for female singers from all genres. With musical partner, guitarist, and husband Neil Giraldo, celebrated the 35th anniversary of her debut album In the Heat of the Night with an extensive tour reaching well into 2015. A two-CD + DVD live recording of their 35th Anniversary

tour was released April 2015. Hits like “Heartbreaker,” "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" and "Love Is A Battlefield" made them MTV stars in the 1980s, and Benatar and Giraldo have sold over 26 million albums with 19 Top 40 hits.Clint Black, singer-songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist/actor is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his first platinum album by releasing his first studio album in a decade. On Purpose will be released September 25th via Thirty Tigers. Black’s debut album Killin’ Time garnered the country music icon five ACM awards including Album of the Year, Top Male Vocalist, and Single of the Year for “A Better Man.” Black won a Grammy Award in 1999 as well as the CMA’s Horizon Award and Male Vocalist of the Year in 1990. He also has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. To date, he had sold over 20 million albums, charted two dozen #1 singles and 30 Top 10 hits – all written by Black.Country Concert at Hickory Hill Lakes in Fort Loramie, Ohio has been a family affair from its beginning over three decades ago. Over 300 country acts have played this beloved festival in its 35-year history. What began as a seasonal family campground, the Barhorst family has turned their 500-acre property into a premier festival site for one of the largest family-owned and operated events in the United States. 2015 headliners Carrie Underwood, Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owen, The Band Perry – plus 20 more acts – drew over 60,000 fans for this year’s the 3-day event.List of 2o15 nominees:Casino of the YearAgua Caliente Casino – Rancho Mirage, CAChumash Casino – Santa Ynez, CAFallsview Casino Resort – Niagara Falls, ONMohegan Sun – Uncasville, CTPeppermill Wendover – Wendover, NVPotawatomi Hotel & Casino – Milwaukee, WICasino Buyer of the YearFrank Deal – Choctaw Casino ResortLaura Ishum – Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Terry Jenkins – Boyd GamingNicci Lehto – Four Winds Entertainment, Inc. Lori Otelsberg – Signature EntertainmentJoe Soper – Wolf Den at Mohegan SunClub Buyer of the YearJohnny Beach – The Bowery PresentsTom Loudermilk – Live Nation Inc. Alan Presley – Kaleidoscope Promotions, Inc. Chad Rodgers – Doc Roc ProductionsEd Warm – Joe's Bar and Bub CityJay Wilson – Red Mountain EntertainmentCorporate Buyer of the YearSteve Einzig – Booking EntertainmentMark Felix – Drury DesignScott Gartner – AEG LiveGary Osier – Gary Osier PresentsFred Suss – Talent SourceBarry Weisblatt – Whiteleaf EntertainmentFair of the YearGreat Jones County Fair – Monticello, IAKansas State Fair – Hutchinson, KSOrange County Fair – Costa Mesa, CASan Diego County Fair – Del Mar, CAWashington State Fair – Puyallup, WAWisconsin State Fair – West Allis, WIFair Buyer of the YearRenee Alexander – Minnesota State FairTodd Boltin – Variety Attractions, Inc. Pat Powelson – Jayson PromotionsMichelle Romeo – Romeo Entertainment GroupDave Snowden – Triangle Talent, Inc. Suzanne Wilson – Wilson Events, Inc.Festival of the YearAustin City Limits – Austin, TXBig Valley Jamboree – Camrose, ABCoachella – Indio, CAFirefly – Dover, DEStagecoach – Indio, CAWatershed – George, WAFestival Buyer of the YearBob Babisch – Milwaukee SummerfestAmy Corbin – C3 PresentsGil Cunningham – Neste Event MarketingAnne Hankins – Country Music ConcertsStacy Vee – GoldenvoiceJonathan Wayland – Integrity EventsInternational Buyer of the YearSteve Homer – Live Nation (UK) Oliver Hoppe – Wizard Promotions (Germany) Rob Potts – Entertainment Edge (Australia) Judy Seale – Judy Seale InternationalAnna Sjölund – Live Nation (Sweden) Chris York – SJM Concerts Ltd. (UK)Venue of the YearAllstate Arena – Rosemont, ILBOK Center – Tulsa, OKBridgestone Arena – Nashville, TNThe Forum – Los Angeles, CAPhilips Arena – Atlanta, GATalking Stick Resort Arena (formerly US Airways Center) – Phoenix, AZVenue Executive of the YearDavid Farrar – Santander ArenaGunnar Fox – PPL CenterJeff Nickler – BOK CenterBobby Rossi – Ruth Eckerd HallRena Wasserman – Greek TheatreSally Williams – Ryman AuditoriumPromoter of the YearBen Farrell – Varnell EnterprisesArthur Fogel – Live NationBrian O'Connell – Live NationDarin Lashinsky – NS2Louis Messina – Messina Touring GroupJerry Mickelson – JAM ProductionsTalent Agent of the YearMarc Geiger – WMEAdam Kornfeld – AGIJonathan Levine – ParadigmBrian Manning – CAANick Meinema – UTADarin Murphy – CAAKevin Neal – WMECraig Newman – APARookie of the YearBoone Carter – NS2Steve Gaches – WMEMichael Owens – BOK CenterNate Ritches – Morris Higham Management / Dale Morris & AssociatesKylen Sharpe – CAAFall ConferenceIEBA will host its 45th Annual Conference October 10-13, 2015 at the Omni Nashville. Registration is open. For more information, please visit ieba.org . IEBA’s Honors and Awards Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, October 13 at 8pm at the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. This is a free private event for Conference Attendees only.via CelebrityAccess