DALLAS, 12 October 2011 – The International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) is launching the largest public relations campaign in its 83-year history to generate awareness about the value of exhibitions on business and commerce. IAEE has selected Edelman Public Relations as its partner and agency of record to implement this key strategic initiative to communicate the good work and positive impact exhibitions and events deliver to local communities.

“There has never been a better time to tell the industry’s story,” says IAEE Public Relations Task Force Chair Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes. “We are excited about the unanimous decision to partner with Edelman for IAEE’s first, widespread public relations campaign. Since this is the largest strategic initiative identified by the Board of Directors, a major fundraising effort has allowed us to retain one of the best agencies in the business. Together, we will diligently work to tell our story in the general business marketplace, and I am confident the results will make members proud.”

The public relations campaign will officially launch at Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition scheduled to be held 6-8 December in Las Vegas. The IAEE Public Relations Task Force led by IAEE members Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes, Nina Carrara and Paige Cardwell, aims to strengthen and enhance the exhibitions and events industry’s reputation as a preeminent medium for conducting business and bringing buyers and sellers together around the world through this three-year campaign.

“The exhibition industry remains the most resilient business to business marketing and communications channel despite the challenges brought about by the most serious recession in the nation's history,” says IAEE Chairman Vinnie Polito. “The exhibition remains the preeminent choice of corporate marketing executives, and we have a unique opportunity to build upon this strength and to further reinforce the fact that exhibitions can do more to advance corporate objectives than any other medium. Since this is the most important industry-wide initiative during my term, I am extraordinarily pleased that the Public Relations Task Force has selected Edelman to tell our story to make a positive and enduring impact in the global marketplace.”

The Public Relations Task Force has been charged with developing core messages that convey IAEE’s considerable commitment to promote the value of face-to-face marketing through media messaging and to effectively implement this campaign, fundraising goals have exceeded all expectations. The enormous contributions pledged as a result of the tireless efforts of the IAEE Public Relations Task Force Fundraising Committee will be used to support key priorities focusing on member and industry-centered initiatives established in IAEE’s strategic plan.

“While I acknowledged the challenges inherent in such a major fundraising effort, especially in today’s economy, I was enthusiastic and optimistic about achieving the campaign’s goal,” notes Visit Orlando’s President and CEO Gary Sain. “All of my fellow directors joined me in embracing the charge that would guide us, and we set out to determine the capital required to implement this program. I am confident that, with IAEE members’ support, as well as that of our many colleagues in the industry, together we can achieve our objectives.”

In order to provide an exceptional return on IAEE members’ expectations and investment, IAEE will focus the campaign on the following:

• Leverage strengths of face-to-face opportunities
• Promote the ongoing relevance of events
• Increase the favorable impression of events
• Compile real stories about the power and uniqueness of trade shows
• Differentiate trade shows from other forms of engagement
• Craft a succinct, compelling and relevant message
• Leverage new media and digital opportunities to expand reach and build online buzz

Organizations and events industry-wide will be engaged to participate and collaborate with one unifying message: face-to-face is vital. The campaign will continue through 31 December 2014. To learn more about specific campaign goals and details, visit the www.iaee.com. Special thanks to all members of IAEE’s Public Relations Task Force: Ms. Paige Cardwell, Ms. Nina Carrara, Mr. Wayne C. Chappell, Ms. Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes, CEM, Ms. Mary Pat Heftman, Mr. Robert F. James, Mr. Sam Lippman, Mr. Jason McGraw, CTS, CAE, Mr. Jeffrey Quade.

Supporting organizations can be found on http://www.iaee.com/about/public-relations-initiative/supporting_organizations

Champions:
American College of Surgeons in Chicago 
Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau
Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau
CTIA – The Wireless Association
Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau
Destination DC
Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau
Global Experience Specialist (GES)
Global Pet Expo
Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
Hawaii Convention Center
InfoComm International
International Housewares Association
LA, Inc. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
New Orleans Metropolitan CVB
Northstar Meetings Group
Orange County Convention Center
Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau
Premier Beauty
Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau
San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau
San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau
Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO)
SPI
Toronto Convention and Visitors Association
Trade Show Executive
US Poultry & Egg Association
Visit Denver
Visit Orlando
 
Leaders:
American Society of Anesthesiologists
Anaheim – Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau
Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau
Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau
Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI)
Experient, Inc.
Ft. Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau
Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau
Greater Vancouver Visitors and Convention Bureau
Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAPPA)
Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC)
Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association
Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau
Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau
Minneapolis Northwest Convention and Visitors Bureau
Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau
Performance Racing
St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission
Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau
Tampa Bay and Company
Visit Baltimore
Visit Charlotte
Visit Jacksonville

Supporters:
Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR)
Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA)
Portland Oregon Visitors Association
Western Veterinary Conference


IAEE's Mission: IAEE promotes the unique value of exhibitions and other events that bring buyers and sellers together such as road shows, conferences with an exhibition component, and proprietary corporate exhibitions. IAEE is the principal resource for those who plan, produce and service the industry.

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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.

About Edelman
Edelman is the world’s largest public relations firm, with wholly owned offices in 54 cities and 4,000 employees worldwide. Edelman was named Advertising Age’s top-ranked PR firm of the decade and one of its “2010 A-List Agencies” and “2010 Best Places to Work;” PRWeek’s “2011 Large PR Agency of the Year;” European Excellence Awards’ “2010 Agency of the Year;” Holmes Report’s “Agency of the Decade” and “2009 Asia Pacific Consultancy of the Year;” and among Glassdoor’s top five “2011 Best Places to Work.” Edelman owns specialty firms Blue (advertising), StrategyOne (research), Ruth (integrated marketing), DJE Science (medical education/publishing and science communications), and MATTER (sports, sponsorship, and entertainment). Visit http://www.edelman.com for more information.

For more information:
Susan Brower, CMM, CCP
IAEE Vice President, Marketing & Communications
+1 (972) 687-9207
sbrower@iaee.com