DALLAS — The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) held its annual meeting and exhibition Expo! Expo! at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas from December 5-7, 2023.
This year, the “Show for Shows” hosted show organizers and exhibitors and welcomed buyers and attendees for three days of peer-to-peer learning, networking and business connections at the show. Show exhibitors leaned into Texas culture with a variety of activities ranging from state fair-themed games and snacks to hat making.
During the general session, IAEE 2023 President Dennis Smith, vice president of business development for the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, spoke about the incredible rebound of the exhibition industry in 2023 and expressed optimism that the industry will fully recover by the end of 2024.
Professionals who have obtained their CEM and CEM-AP titles were announced and celebrated at the General Session, walking on stage to receive recognition for their continuing education. Freeman is the sponsor of the IAEE certification pathway, from workforce development to CEM Emeritus.
Changing roles within associations
At Expo! Expo!, new President and CEO Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM, shared her vision for the association, which includes driving growth, providing more opportunities and meeting the needs and wants of members. Flanagan takes this role after serving for more than 10 years as IAEE’s Senior Vice President of Events and Learning Experiences.
Center for Exhibition Industry Research CEO Cathy Breden, CMP Fellow, CAE, CEM, who is IAEE’s chief operating officer and has served as interim CEO since October, will leave IAEE in June 2024. Breden will continue to assist Flanagan in the transition to the role of president and CEO until her departure.
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Dennis Smith has passed the title of president to Marie Browne, group vice president at RX, who will serve alongside Flanagan through the 2024 term. Browne was featured in the December 2023 Edition of Trade Show Executive Magazine as Power Lunch and shared his priorities for the association.
A powerful education
Continuing education and professional development are a priority for the IAEE and the event’s programming. During the event, attendees were able to participate in a variety of sessions covering topics ranging from AI and tactics to drive registrations to risk management and industry trends.
In a session focused on increasing last-minute registrations, industry leaders shared that paid digital invitation programs, add-on and group promotion, personal outreach and drive-through campaigns have proven highly effective in driving registrations.
The team behind RIMS’ RISKWORLD presented a case study of their experience with an active filming situation at the 2023 show in Atlanta. Despite a robust crisis plan, the team found there were still areas where they needed to beef up in the event of an emergency. They noted that having a citywide convention requires a citywide crisis plan, as incidents can impact hotel access, transportation, and attendee safety outside of the event venue.
IAEE also partnered with Visit Dallas and Dallas ISD to bring students to the show to expose them to the exhibition and events industry.
Connecting professionals through fun
The Expo! also offered attendees a multitude of networking opportunities, off-site activities to meet new peers, reconnect with colleagues and teams, and experience what Dallas has to offer. The event included the PRIDE After Party and the IAEE Young Professionals Party, as well as chapter receptions.
The annual Humanity Rocks event, sponsored by GES and onPeak, was held at Backyard – Dallas, where attendees played arcade games and enjoyed a live band. The event raised $10,000 for Dallas Stew, which provides shelter to at-risk and homeless people in Dallas by providing resources for survival needs and opportunities to start a new life.
Expo Group and Visit Dallas hosted Boots and Bling, at Gilley’s Dallas. The networking event featured a performance by country singer-songwriter Josh Turner and a drone light show in the sky, which featured a number of Texas icons, while event sponsors also gave away cowboy hats to attendees.
The closing luncheon, sponsored by the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, included a sponsor presentation on the destination, which will host the 2024 edition of Expo! Expo! In addition, Smith presented the President’s Award to the entire IAEE staff for their hard work and dedication throughout 2023.
Contact Denis Smith at dennis@aahoa.com; Marie Browne at Marie.Browne@rxglobal.com