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Ultimate Ventures Honored as Finalist for 2026 ADMEI Awards

In a notable achievement, Ultimate Ventures, part of the DMC Network, together with their Houston partner Cosmo Cool Concepts, has been recognized as a finalist in the prestigious 2026 ADMEI Awards. Specifically, the recognition comes under the category of Best Emergency Preparedness and/or Response for their impressive submission titled "THE STORM THAT STOPPED A CITY - BUT NOT OUR CLIENT'S PROGRAM."

This year's ADMEI Awards mark the 20th anniversary of the event, and the competition was fierce, with judges commending the high caliber of submissions. Being acknowledged in such a competitive arena adds weight to the honor Ultimate Ventures has received.

The finalist program serves as a testament to Ultimate Ventures' exemplary crisis management capabilities during one of the most severe winter storms to impact Houston in decades. As the storm caused widespread chaos, including the closure of airports and treacherous icy roads just hours before the arrival of over 10,000 corporate conference attendees, the team sprung into action.

Ultimate Ventures faced significant challenges that included ambitious transportation plans aimed at accommodating attendees arriving through two major airports, organizing hotel shuttles across multiple hotels and routes, and managing the logistics for over 400 employees traveling from various cities—all of which required flawless execution under extreme pressure.

As conditions rapidly deteriorated with both major airports shutting down, vendors ceasing operations, and power outages spreading, Ultimate Ventures swiftly implemented its emergency response strategy. The team quickly transitioned into a real-time command and control mode, reconfiguring the planned transportation routes and shuttle schedules while redeploying resources and drivers from surrounding areas. Communication with the client, hotel partners, and transport teams remained a fundamental priority throughout this testing period.

Laurie Sprouse, President of Ultimate Ventures, expressed pride in the team's rapid response, stating, "Our team went into action the moment we realized Houston was shutting down. We refused to let our client's program fail. Everyone jumped in - reengineering the transportation plan and staying in constant contact to ensure the client felt confident in every decision. Safety always came first for us. I am incredibly proud of the calm and creative way our team delivered under pressure."

Thanks to their adaptive strategies and disciplined operations, Ultimate Ventures not only kept the conference running—despite discussions of possible cancellation—but also achieved an impressive attendance rate, with 90% of expected participants able to join.

The winners of the ADMEI Awards will be announced during a gala event at the Annual Conference in Costa Rica on March 3, 2026.

About Ultimate Ventures

Ultimate Ventures is dedicated to delivering high-touch experiences in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, seamlessly blending innovative program design with meticulous logistical execution. With over 30 years in the industry, this women-owned company specializes as the only ADMEI-accredited DMC in North Texas, creating unforgettable experiences for meeting planners and attendees alike. Known for their proactive problem-solving and strong partnerships within the hospitality industry, Ultimate Ventures remains committed to ensuring successful outcomes for all clients. For more information, visit www.uvdmc.com.