Gene Simmons, Chubby Checker honoured as live industry names 2026 IEBA winners
KISS bassist Gene Simmons received a Lifetime Achievement Award for a touring career spanning more than five decades at the International Entertainment Buyers Association's 2026 Honors & Awards on 6 October.
The ceremony at The Pinnacle Nashville also delivered Hall of Fame inductions for singer Chubby Checker and veteran talent buyer Gil Cunningham. Comedian Derrick Stroup hosted the night, which closed the association's 56th Annual Conference, according to Billboard.
IEBA, the International Entertainment Buyers Association, is a not-for-profit trade organisation for live entertainment professionals. Its annual Industry Awards are voted on by the association's membership. The 2026 conference ran 4-6 October at the Grand Hyatt Nashville and The Pinnacle Nashville.
Simmons was the headline honour. The award recognised his work on the road with KISS across more than 50 years. Checker and Cunningham joined the Hall of Fame in the same programme. IEBA also introduced a new honour this year, the Barbara "Mother" Hubbard Mentorship Award, named for IEBA Hall of Fame member Barbara Hubbard.
Venue awards went to rooms across the United States. The Pinnacle Nashville was named Club of the Year. Yaamava' Resort & Casino took Casino of the Year. ACL Live in Austin was named Theater of the Year.
Madison Square Garden was named Arena of the Year. The Gorge Amphitheatre was named Amphitheater of the Year. Minnesota State Fair was named Fair/Expo of the Year. Bourbon & Beyond in Louisville was named Festival of the Year.
The buyers' categories recognise the people who book acts for venues, fairs and festivals. Sonia Grover of First Avenue was named Club Buyer of the Year. Drew Dixon of Yaamava' Resort & Casino was named Casino Buyer of the Year. EastCoast Entertainment was named Corporate Buyer of the Year.
Jim Cressman of Invictus Entertainment was named International Buyer of the Year. Lisa Sexton of OC Fair was named Fair/Expo Buyer of the Year. Tom Hoppa of Danny Wimmer Presents was named Festival Buyer of the Year. Voting was by members.
On the agency and promotion side, Heath Baumhor of Reliant Talent was named Boutique Agency Agent of the Year. Becky Gardenhire of WME was named Major Agency Agent of the Year. Rich Schaefer of AEG Presents was named Promoter of the Year.
Three career awards completed the list. David Kells of Bridgestone Arena was named Venue Executive of the Year. Spencer Zubrow of Pinnacle Entertainment was named Young Professional of the Year. Ed Traversari of Point Park University was named Music & Entertainment Industry Educator of the Year.
What makes this stand out is the mix. The same ballot honoured arena-scale touring, club booking, casinos, fairs and classrooms. For fans, this means the names behind the dates on the ticket had their own awards night in Nashville.
