2008 Legend of the Industry
Jack Withiam, Jr.
Jack Withiam is Executive Vice President and General Counsel for GLM® a dmg world media business.
Jack has general responsibility for GLM's Legal, Finance, MIS and Human Resources departments. In addition, he oversees the direction of the National Stationery Show®, as well as HSMAI's Affordable Meetings events in Washington (DC), Illinois and in California, which GLM manages on behalf of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International.
Prior to joining GLM in 1978, Jack served as in-house counsel to Citibank, N.A. He received his B.A. degree in Economics and English from Hamilton College in 1971, and his J.D. from Albany Law School, Union University in 1974. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1975.
Jack is a past member of the Boards of Directors of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and IAEE Services, Inc., an organization of which he also served as President. He was Vice Chair of IAEE's 2000 Strategic Planning Task Force, and currently serves as editor of and contributor to, IAEE's Professional Exposition Training Module, entitled, "Legal Aspects of Running Trade Shows and Expositions, " and sits on the IAEE task force for its industry textbook, "The Art of the Show." He also currently represents the exposition industry as IAEE's appointee to the Convention Industry Council's APEX Commission. In addition, he is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).
Jack is a recipient of several tradeshow industry awards of distinction. In 2003 he was named to Tradeshow Week's, "Top 100 Most Influential People in the Tradeshow Business." He received special recognition, as one of five "Legends of the Hall" - deemed one of the industry's "movers and shakers" by Tradeshow Week's editors. Jack presently sits on the Board of Trustees of Hamilton College and the Board of Directors of NYC & Company - the New York City Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Jack resides in Greenwich, Connecticut, with his wife, Lynda, and his four children, Wilson, Garrett, Hannah and Andrew. 2007 Legend of the Industry
Chuck Schwartz, CEM Chuck Schwartz, CEM, began his trade show career in 1976, after 20 years in the retail automotive aftermarket. Today, Chuck Schwartz is chairman of ConvExx, a show management firm based in Henderson, Nevada.
During his career, Chuck has organized and managed over 200 trade exhibitions including the SEMA Show which is the largest automotive after market trade event in the world and the fourth largest trade event in the U.S. SEMA Show 2006 drew over 50,000 domestic and international buyers through two million square feet of exhibits.
Most recently, ConvExx partnered with the California Truck Association to provide show management services to the International Trucking Show. ConvExx has provided management services to NASCAR for a sumiit gathering short-track operators from throughout the nation and other leaders in the motor sports industry.
Chuck was the co-founder of Epic Enterprises in 1979, which was an independent trade exhibition company. He produced, owned and organized trade shows, coventions and special events in a cross-section of industries including automotive, gift, diving, electronics, wireless communications, and the floral and accessories industries. In 1996 Epic Enterprises was acquired by Production Group International (PGI), a multi-faceted company specializing in event production, trade shows, corporate exhibitions and destination services.
Chuck Schwartz demonstrates leadership through his actions. An author, mentor, leader, and frequent lecturer and facilitator, Chuck inspires others through his volunteer work, both within and outside of the exhibition and event industry. Chuck is also frequently quoted in industry articles. he is a member of IAEE's Summit Club, signifying that he never misses an IAEE major event, and a member of IAEE"s elite Platinum Circle for having maintained 25 years of continuous membership.
During Chuck's tenure as chairman of IAEM (now IAEE) in 1999, he tirelessly worked to spread the news to hotels on the value of exhibitions and their economic impact, and the importance of IAEE's membership. He often said, "...make more news, more often." Chuck, always looking forward, conceived the concept and name for the IAEE annual meeting and exhibition, Expo! Expo!
In acknowledgement of his accomplishments, in 2004 IAEE recognized him with the association's highest honor - the Pinnacle Award.
Schwartz truly is a legend of the industry. |