Awards

Entries are now closed
for the 2021 Competition
13 Days of GMAs begins Dec 1

Click here for Past Award Winners

IDEA Annually recognizes superior achievement throughout the event presentation industry by awarding its Golden Matrix Awards (GMAs) at the annual IDEA Conference. The purpose of the GMAs is to recognize artistic, entertainment and technical excellence in the programming of large screen video and fascia displays.

The GMAs are also intended to provide an opportunity for the event presentation industry to share ideas and to view the wide variety of productions that have been created over the past year.

In order to be eligible, entries must have been produced by an Active IDEA member for display on the member's system to a live audience during an event. The GMAs give members the opportunity to show off their best work to their colleagues and voting for all categories is done by the membership.

Honoring Excellence
          Celebrating History
                    Inspiring New Generations

Established in 2008 to coincide with IDEA's 25th anniversary, the IDEA Hall of Fame honors innovators in the event presentation industry.

Class of 2020:
Due to the COVID pandemic
there was no induction held in 2020

Class of 2019:
Dr. Aelred Kurtenbach, Daktronics
Diane Gonzalez-Ferranti, Palace Sports & Entertainment

Class of 2018:
Tim Beach, Arizona Cardinals
Ed Filomia, Miami Heat
Sergio Lozano, United Center

Class of 2017:
Chuck Morgan, Texas Rangers

Class of 2016:
Bob Becker, VWSE
Tim Gunkel, New York Mets

Class of 2015:
David Schindler, Atlanta Hawks
Jeff Schmahl, University of Nebraska

Class of 2014:
Dr. Charles Steinberg, Boston Red Sox

Class of 2013:
Anthony Fanticola, Philadelphia Phillies
Fran Kowalski, ClickEffects
Cliff Wight, ClickEffects

Class of 2012:
Aaron Buckles, Jamination

Class of 2011:
Rod Murray, Cleveland Cavaliers
Jeff Szynal, Chicago White Sox

Class of 2010:
John Franzone, New York Yankees
Denise Roberts McKee, KJP

Class of 2009:
Mark DiNardo, Philadelphia Phillies

The inaugural Class of 2008 honored the group of ten individuals who were instrumental in the creation of IDEA,"The Pioneers"

David Belding, Mitsubishi Electric
Liz Burke Brown, Chicago White Sox
Jack Croghan, St. Louis Cardinals
Paul Darst, Houston Astros
Dick Davis, HHH Metrodome
Karen Johnson, Karen Johnson Productions
Betsy Leesman, New York Yankees
Gabe Paul Jr., Milwaukee Brewers
Howard Pizer, Chicago White Sox
Paul Shubin, Montreal Expos & Canadiens

Inspired by the passion of Jeff Schmahl,
          who mentored so much young talent
                    during his career.

Established in 2014, the IDEA Inspire the Passion Award honors outstanding students/interns in the event presentation industry. Upon nomination from a supervising IDEA member, the nominees are eligible to apply for the highly selective Inspire the Passion Award.

Award recipients receive an all-expenses paid trip to the annual IDEA Conference.

The IDEA Inspire the Passion Award Committee, under the direction of the IDEA Executive Board, is charged with oversight of the nominations and selection process.

Class of 2021:

Due to the COVID19 pandemic there was no Inspire the Passion competition held.

Class of 2020:

Deirdre Logan, Washington Nationals
Alexa McGlade, University of Central Florida

Class of 2019:

Luke Gagnon, Detroit Red Wings
Justin Ott, Philadelphia Flyers
Aungelina Taglia, Sporting KC & KU

Class of 2018:

Matthew Massarelli, Philadelphia Flyers
Kody Acevedo, Arizona Diamondbacks
Kaitlin Cook, Denver Broncos

Class of 2017:
Nick Bruner, University of Cincinnati
Danielle Cardona, Philadelphia Union
Nate Hogan, Brigham Young University

Class of 2016:
Danielle Eurich, Arizona Diamondbacks
Arianna Krizek, Philadelphia Phillies

Class of 2015:
Courtney Brown, Oklahoma State University
Evan McInnis, St. Louis Rams