DALLAS, 15 December 2011 – The International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) celebrates a highly successful Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition, held 6-8 December 2011 in Las Vegas, Nev. This year’s event attracted more than 2,200 attendees (pending independent audit) and 266 exhibitors to the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The Opening General Session and CEM Presentation on Wednesday, 7 December included a recap of IAEE’s accomplishments throughout the year by 2011 IAEE Chairman Vinnie Polito. He emphasized the importance of promoting the face-to-face value of exhibitions and events by summarizing the key points of IAEE’s public relations campaign, Click Here First. Polito also recognized Gary Sain, president and CEO of the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc., for his tireless efforts in raising funds to support the campaign. More than $1 million has been pledged by nearly 100 supporting organizations.

Keynote speaker Dr. Michio Kaku captivated audience members as he discussed the future of technology and how these technologies will affect exhibitions and events. The session honored the 208 graduates of the 2011 CEM Learning Program and concluded with showgirls leading the way to the Expo! Expo! show hall. Expo! Expo! featured 37,600 net square feet of exhibit space. That evening, the third annual Humanity Rocks: A Celebration with a Cause rocked the Hard Rock Cafe with over 400 attendees. The event raised $15,000 for the Iverson Foundation based in Las Vegas.

The Annual Luncheon and Awards Ceremony on Thursday featured the passing of the gavel to 2012 IAEE Chair Doreen Biela, CEM. This year’s IAEE individual award honorees were recognized, as well as Platinum Circle inductees, the Top Public Events and recipients of the Exhibition Industry Foundation’s Helen Brett Scholarships. In addition, IAEE President Steven Hacker, CAE, FASAE received special recognition for his service to the association and to the industry as a whole. Hacker reiterated that although he leaves his current position in September 2012, he looks forward to remaining involved in the industry.

“It has been a spectacular experience for the last 21 years,” commented Hacker. “I’m not sure it’s my last Expo! Expo! It’s definitely my last as president, but I may come back just to spook some people and participate in the events. It’s such a fabulous event.”

IAEE’s annual conference included 11 versatile education tracks with more than 130 speakers and 50 sessions over the three-day event. Attendees were given a wide range of topics to learn about including: attendee experience development, e-Merge technology, exhibitor solutions, global business development, marketing, operations, professional development, public and consumer event solutions, sales, and specialized programming for both senior executives and young professionals. Students of the CEM Learning Program were also able to take advantage of the many courses offered.

Click here for IAEE-TV coverage of Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Las Vegas, provided by Convention News Television (CNTV).

Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2012 will be held 4-6 December in Orlando, Fla. Approximately 70 percent of the net square feet for next year’s exhibition on 5 December 2012 at the Orange County Convention Center will be reserved in an online space draw on 14-15 February 2012. Visit www.myexpoexpo.com for more details as they become available.

About IAEE
Since 1928, IAEE continues to provide quality and value to its members through leadership, service, education and strong relationships. IAEE is the largest association of the exhibitions and events industry in the world, with a membership of show organizers, exhibitors and exhibition suppliers. Organizers of more than 20,000 exhibitions and buyer-seller events around the world are members of IAEE. Through the 2006 consolidation with the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), IAEE delivers valuable industry research reports. IAEE also supports IAEE Services, the IAEE Public Events Council, The International Center for Exhibitor and Event Marketing, and the Exhibition and Event Industry Audit Commission, which are IAEE councils that provide products, programs and information to members. IAEE recognizes its strategic partners: American Airlines, ASP, Inc., Bearcom, Mexico Tourism Board, Orange County Convention Center and Visit Orlando, Vertical Nerve, Inc. and VoiceLogic. Visit www.iaee.com for more information.

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Contact:
Mary Tucker
Sr. PR/Communications Manager
+1 (972) 687-9226
mtucker@iaee.com