Conlon to Receive Krystal La Reese-Gaule Membership Award

The National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) has announced that Terry Conlon, ECM, Director of Concessions for Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Illinois and current NAC Board Chairman, has captured the Krystal La Reese-Gaule Membership Award for the fiscal year 2017. The annual award is presented to the member who sponsors the most new NAC full memberships during the most recent fiscal year (2017).

Conlon recruited five new members in 2017. By achieving this award, Conlon continues a career of being a tireless advocate for NAC. After serving on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for several years, he became President-Elect in 2013 and went on to serve a two-year term as President from 2015 until mid-2017. He is the current NAC Board Chairman.

In 2013, Conlon received the prestigious NAC Mickey Warner Award bestowed upon an individual each year to recognize leadership and significant accomplishments in the non-theatre concession industry by NAC. Conlon becomes the first NAC member to achieve both the Mickey Warner and Krystal La Reese-Gaule Awards. In 2016, The North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) bestowed Conlon with the honor of Doctorate of Foodservice (DFS) award.

The new members sponsored by Conlon in 2017 include: Steven Cahoon of Centerplate, David Campbell of Aramark –
Carver Hawkeye Arena, Sean Hennessy of Aramark Sports and Entertainment, Michael Jacob of Churchill Container and Roy Lubovsky of Indiana University.

An award and a free registration to the annual NAC Concession & Hospitality Expo will be presented to Conlon at the Annual Membership Luncheon on Thursday, August 9, 2018. The presentation will be made by a representative of Kernel Seasons, who is sponsoring the award in memory of Krystal. The Expo is slated for August 7-10, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

About the Krystal La Reese-Gaule Membership Award: The award was established in memory of former NAC Board Member and industry friend Krystal La Reese-Gaule, who passed away due to illness in early 2013. As an active NAC member since 1996 and a great advocate for the Association, Krystal had sponsored numerous new members for which she received the Ruby, Sapphire and Four-Point Diamond pin designation. At the time of her passing, she was on the verge of reaching Double Diamond status. Following a career in concessions management with GKC Theatres, Krystal joined Kernel Season’s popcorn seasoning as its National Sales Manager in 2005. Known for her warmth, contagious smile and outgoing personality, she was a natural salesperson and quickly made a name for herself in the concession and movie theatre industries.

About NAC: The National Association of Concessionaires, founded in 1944, is the trade association for the recreation and leisure-time food and beverage concessions industry. Members are comprised of the owners and operators of facilities such as: Movie Theatres, Stadiums & Arenas, Zoos & Aquariums, Colleges & Universities, Foodservice Contractors, Park & Recreation Departments, Amusement Parks & Family Entertainment Centers, Ice and Roller Skating Rinks, Racetracks, Bowling Centers, Outdoor facilities, Convention centers and Performing Arts Centers. Our members also are the companies that provide products and services to these facilities, including: Suppliers, Equipment Manufacturers, Popcorn Processors, Jobber Distributors, Consultants and Brokers.

For more information:
Chris Dammann, Director of Communications
612-849-8418
cdammann@naconline.org

Category: News Releases