Two trade show industry organizations recently announced key launches and initiatives.
ESCA prepares for new leadership summit
The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) is preparing to launch a new event designed to empower and educate the next generation of leaders in the exhibition and events industry. Hosted February 4-5 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, the Rising Leaders Summit 2025 will provide an engaging educational experience designed specifically for young professionals and emerging leaders.
The conference marks the first major initiative of the new ESCA Rising Leaders Committee, created to meet the evolving needs of future industry leaders and whose mission is to provide young professionals and industry newcomers with the skills, resources and the network they need to succeed. in their career.
“The Rising Leaders Summit represents a critical opportunity for young professionals and newcomers to our industry to develop the essential skills for success,” said Julie Kagy, Executive Director of ESCA. “By focusing on leadership, personal growth and industry knowledge, we aim to shape the future leaders of our industry. »
Featuring a packed schedule of leadership development sessions and industry-specific workshops, the summit will feature immersive seminars on emerging industry trends, hands-on leadership skills training, and interactive sessions with leaders of opinion. The event will also offer a dinner-based networking experience, providing an engaging and informal setting for attendees to connect with their peers and form new professional relationships.
To learn more and register for the Rising Leaders Summit 2025, go here. ESCA members benefit from a reduction on registration fees.
CEIR joins IAEE
Announced at the Expo! Exhibition! At the 2024 IAEE Annual Meeting and Exhibition in Los Angeles, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) joins the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) as an official research division, but the CEIR board and budget will remain in place until the full transition is finalized on January 1, 2026.
The move furthers IAEE’s mission to provide industry-leading information and resources to event industry professionals, with CEIR’s leading exhibition and event data and analytics enhanced through the IAEE’s global platform. ‘IAEE.
By aligning CEIR’s research initiatives with IAEE’s strategic goals, the integration aims to deepen understanding of industry trends, provide enhanced resources to members, and establish IAEE as a leader in advancing of the exhibitions and events profession, according to the IAEE.
“This integration strengthens our ability to serve the global exhibition and events community,” said Chuck Grouzard, IAEE 2025 Chair and Executive Vice President of Business Development, Creative and Design at GES. “CEIR’s data-driven approach perfectly complements IAEE’s mission to connect, educate and empower professionals around the world.
As a division of the IAEE, CEIR will continue to produce industry research while benefiting from the IAEE’s extensive network and resources. Meanwhile, the IAEE will have more bandwidth to serve its members through various research projects for the industry segments it represents, according to IAEE officials. For example, in late 2025, the organization plans to launch a new healthcare organizers initiative that will include an in-person forum, virtual meetings, and an online platform for healthcare organizers to share ideas about their unique challenges and experiences.
“Bringing CEIR under the IAEE umbrella marks a pivotal moment for our organization and the industry,” said Brian Pagel, CEIR 2025 Chairman and Executive Vice President of Emerald. “This partnership ensures that CEIR’s vital research will continue to thrive and be leveraged to inform critical decisions for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
The integration will also improve the member and user experience by providing a centralized resource, where IAEE members and industry professionals can access CEIR research products. Currently, IAEE members can access the CEIR Store using the same credentials as the IAEE website, but there are plans to further streamline this user experience as the integration fully takes hold. effect.
“CEIR has always been at the forefront of understanding our industry,” said Marsha Flanagan, president and CEO of IAEE. “This integration represents an exciting development, bringing greater alignment and synergy between two vital organizations. Together, we are well-positioned to foster growth, innovation and resilience in the face of change.
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