AGEM previously announced the creation of this unique awards program a decade ago to acknowledge the lasting impacts on gaming by two distinctive industry veterans following their unexpected deaths in 2015. Halle, a longtime Bally and Novomatic executive in Europe whose career ended as CEO of Merkur Gaming based in Florida, died suddenly on May 20, 2015, at the age of 57. Mead, the founder and publisher of Casino Enterprise Management magazine, died suddenly in Las Vegas on June 24, 2015, at the age of 54.
 
Len Ainsworth in 2016, Rick Meitzler in 2017, Gavin Isaacs in 2018, Tom Nieman in 2019, the late Robert "Bob" McMonigle in 2020, Sebastian Salat in 2021, Roy Student in 2022, the late Robert "Bob" Manz in 2023 and Steve Sutherland in 2024 have been the prior recipients of the Jens Halle Memorial Award Honoring Excellence in Commercial Gaming Professionalism. Howard Stutz in 2016, Roger Gros in 2017, Frank Legato in 2018, the late Dave Palermo in 2019, David Orrick in 2020, Alan Feldman in 2021, Frank Fantini in 2022, Victor Rocha in 2023 and Lori Nelson-Kraft in 2024 have been the recipients of the Peter Mead Memorial Award Honoring Excellence in Gaming Media & Communications.
 
Nomination submissions of 250-500 original words identifying current gaming professionals must be received via email at Allison.McCoy@AGEM.org by August 1, 2025, and must meet the following criteria outlined below that aim to capture the unique attributes displayed by Halle and Mead during their storied careers. Award winners will be announced at G2E in Las Vegas in October.
 
Jens Halle Memorial Award Honoring Excellence in Commercial Gaming Professionalism
"Nominees must have experience working in the global gaming supplier sector for a minimum of 10 years and possess the following traits and qualities that Jens displayed throughout his working life: Professionalism, business success, international scope, attention to detail and timely follow-up; a willingness to 'go the extra mile,' both figuratively and literally; a sense of humanity in an oft-times cutthroat business; a recognition of the importance of a handshake and a fair deal for all; and a dedication to the health of the industry as a whole."
 
Peter Mead Memorial Award Honoring Excellence in Gaming Media & Communications
"Nominees must have experience working in the mainstream media, gaming trade press or individual gaming company PR/communications for a minimum of 10 years and possess the following traits and qualities that Peter displayed throughout his working life: Quality reporting and communication with an emphasis on personal contact to generate ideas and gather information; taking risks and questioning the status quo; challenging the industry to consider new ideas; and identifying trusted partners to improve the overall product."
 
AGEM is a non-profit international technology trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of electronic gaming devices, lotteries, systems, iGaming / online, game content, table games, sports betting, key components and gaming support products and services that work to further the interests of gaming equipment suppliers throughout the world. Through political action, regulatory influence, trade show partnerships, educational alliances, information dissemination and good corporate citizenship, the members of AGEM work together to create benefits for every company within the organization. Together, AGEM assists regulatory agencies and participates in the legislative process to solve problems and create a business environment where AGEM members can prosper while providing a strong level of support to education and responsible gaming initiatives.