Virginia Lofft, former publisher of Religious Conference Manager, is among six individuals who will be immortalized in the Convention Industry Council's Hall of Leaders. The six honorees were selected from a group of extraordinary nominees representing the most outstanding leaders and innovators in the industry. The group will be inducted at the 2006 Hall of Leaders Gala on August 20, 2006, in Boston.

In making the announcement, CIC president and CEO Mary Power said, “We are pleased to honor these extraordinary individuals. Their innovation, commitment, and energy are inspiring and a credit to the tremendous talent that exists in the meetings, conventions, and exhibitions industry.”

Lofft is the second person connected with RCMA to be so honored; RCMA Executive Director DeWayne S. Woodring was inducted into the Hall of Leaders in 1994.

Lofft has been a key leader in the meeting and convention industry for more than three decades. She set editorial standards for hands-on coverage of industry events and built a reputation for editorial integrity.

Both Woodring and Lofft were involved in the initial creation of the Convention Industry Council's Certified Meeting Professional program.

Nominations for the Hall of Leaders were submitted either by CIC member organizations or the general industry community. Only those people who have substantially contributed to the industry and whose efforts continue to shape it qualify for nomination for the CIC Hall of Leaders. Nominees must also have proven versatility through a range of actions that have affected and redefined meetings, conventions, and/or exhibitions. An 11-person selection committee, appointed by the CIC, met to review the nominations and recommend inductees. The CIC Board of Directors then approved the slate.

The CIC Hall of Leaders was established in 1985. Each inductee is honored at the Hall of Leaders Recognition Pavilion in the Washington (D.C.) Convention Center and on the walls of McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.