By Mary Tucker | Sr. Communications & Content Manager | IAEE Kara Dao, CEM, DES is an extreme optimist by nature with an unwavering belief in the possibilities. Her approachable and open demeanor instills confidence in both clients and colleagues, helping them achieve their goals. Kara’s impressive track record spans more than 25 years and includes managing a top-ranking exhibition that grew five-fold within two years. She has successfully led international trade shows, collaborating with remote teams and achieving remarkable profit margins. However, Kara’s focus extends beyond successful ..read more

By Mary Tucker, Sr. Communications & Content Manager With a fervent interest in the CEM Commission, chapter participation and education, Ryan Lovell, CEM-AP has dedicated his time to consistently participating in various IAEE initiatives including the IAEE Education Committee, IAEE Expo! Expo! Advisory Committee and the IAEE CEM Commission. In his work on the CEM Commission, he has helped to develop and improve the CEM educational curriculum through his consistent and comprehensive efforts. He regularly volunteers his time and expertise in the events industry to help mentor up-and-coming ..read more

Originally published on CEIR.org In today’s dynamic B2B events landscape, the integration of entertainment is not merely an afterthought – it’s a pivotal component that can greatly influence an event’s overall success. As professionals seek experiences that are both informative and engaging, the line between strictly business and the flair of entertainment is becoming increasingly blurred. From traditional performances and games to cutting-edge VR experiences and personalized interaction zones, entertainment choices are vast and varied. But how do event organizers ensure that these entertaini ..read more

By Jennifer Potter, CEM | Senior CEM Program Manager | IAEE Robyn Davis, CPTD, CEM is a Trade Show Strategy Specialist and Owner of Exhibitors WINH (When I Need Help) LLC. She works with event organizers as a speaker, trainer and consultant to help them help their exhibitors squeeze even more value out of each event. Here, she talks with IAEE Senior CEM Program Manager Jennifer Potter, CEM about being a faculty member of IAEE’s CEM Learning Program. What made you want to become a CEM faculty member? There are a number of reasons I wanted to become a CEM faculty member (see video on LinkedIn h ..read more

By Lindsey Pollak, Career & Workplace Expert Originally published on LindseyPollak.com Do you use all of your sick days? If you’re a people leader, do you positively acknowledge when your employees do? This is a generational issue. A recent article in The Wall Street Journal addressed the so-called “problem” of younger employees using up all of their sick days. According to the article, employees between ages 25 and 34 (a.k.a. older Gen Zs and Millennials) are taking sick days most often, with their use rates jumping 45 percent from before the pandemic. My take? This is a good thing, not ..read more

By Mary Tucker, Sr. Communications & Content Manager Aaron Bludworth’s illustrious career in the exhibitions and events industry spans over three decades. Beginning his career at Modern Exposition Services in Salt Lake City, he showcased an innate aptitude for leadership, strategic thinking and innovation. Building on those traits, he progressed professionally, culminating in taking the helm at Fern Expo in 2008. Under his visionary and values-based leadership approach, the company flourished, establishing itself as North America’s third-largest official services contractor. In addition t ..read more

Originally published on CEIR.org In the age of digital proliferation, the lines between virtual connections and in-person interactions have blurred, ushering in new paradigms for how businesses and industries connect with their audiences. The exhibitions and business events sector, a realm traditionally reliant on the tangibility of face-to-face exchanges, is no exception. The key to driving robust in-person event attendance lies in harnessing the power of online communities. By fostering genuine connections and engagement in the digital space, event organizers can create a compelling momentu ..read more

Editorial Note: Originally published in the March 2024 issue of Trade Show Executive magazine. Throughout my career, I have witnessed the role of women in the workforce undergo profound changes. I am proud of the increasing number of females I collaborate with at the executive level and fully expect those numbers to continue growing, especially given the motivated young professional women I have the pleasure of working with every day. I envision our industry as one in which women will hold an even more prominent place in executive leadership in the near future. For decades, women have bravely ..read more

By Mary Tucker | Sr. Communications & Content Manager | IAEE After going from stay-at-home mom to award-winning activist filmmaker, Top 100 podcaster and sought-after international speaker, Denise Soler Cox uses her experience to produce inspiring content that sparks meaningful and transformative dialog. Her work inspires a more engaged, creative and productive workforce that can benefit from her simple-to-understand “Recipe for Belonging” which she will share in her session, The Magic of Belonging, at this year’s Women’s Leadership Forum on 10-11 April in Washington, D.C. Denise co-produc ..read more

By Mary Tucker | Sr. Communications & Content Manager | CEIR Originally published on CEIR.org CEIR’s most recent webinar, How to Maximize Exhibit and Sponsorship Sales Outcomes in the New Normal, offers participants the opportunity to access information presented at its sold-out special session held during Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2023 last December. Moderator Nancy Drapeau, IPC, CEIR Vice President of Research invites industry experts to share the tactics and strategies they have applied to their post-COVID events for successful revenue generation from exhibits ..read more