ExpoNet has launched a new award honouring Ian Stoker, an ExpoNet employee who died suddenly last year.

The Ian Stoker Award for Excellence in Customer Service honours ExpoNet project manager Ian Stoker, who died suddenly in October following four years with the company and 25 years in the exhibition industry.The award aims to recognise ExpoNet staff who have displayed the same commitment and passion that  Stoker brought to his role.

ExpoNet’s managing director, Jim Delahunty said ‘Stokes’ was one of the company’s top project managers, known for his amazing people skills and dedication to the job.

“Ian had all the qualities that are essential in this industry. He was reliable, well organised and always made things happen. You knew if you were working with ‘Stokes’ on a project, you were working with one of the best,”  Delahunty said.

“In dedicating this award to him, we are recognising those exceptional workers who share the same qualities, and whose experience and willingness to step up has ensured the satisfaction of our customers.”

The award is open to operations and warehouse staff who have been employed by ExpoNet for at least two years, and recommended by either a client or senior ExpoNet employee. Entries will be judged in two stages, with the Branch Award winners announced at the end of year and the National Winner announced at the company’s annual Kick Off Day in early 2011.

The recent staff events in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane/Gold Coast were also an opportunity to recognise those long-serving employees who have supported ExpoNet for the past 10, 15 and 20 years.

Those recognised were: Melbourne Branch – Larry Mundell (10 years) and Tobias Jacobsen (10 years); Sydney Branch – Abdul Jamal (10 years), Ivanka Matijasko (10 years), Phu Mai (10 years), Michael Pederson (15 years) and Craig Fairley (20 years).