IAEM Responds to Consolidation Discussion, Focuses on Future of Organization

DALLAS -- 11 April 2005 -- Today, IAEM releases the following statement as a result of the announcement that IAEM and the Society for Independent Show Organizers (SISO) will not consolidate:

While IAEM is disappointed that we are not able to move forward with SISO in creating a new organization, we want to make it clear that we still firmly support the concept of consolidating industry resources and organizations to create one, strong voice for the industry. Based on our discussions, it is simply the case that given the respective priorities of the two organizations, now is not the appropriate time for these two entities to consolidate their operations.

The IAEM Board remains firmly committed to moving forward with its strategic plan, which calls for the association to move to a corporate membership structure and develop an active focus on advocacy and research to complement its current core educational activities. In implementing this strategic plan the organization will continue to seek opportunities to collaborate or perhaps even consolidate with other, related industry organizations, including SISO.

For more information, contact iaem@iaem.org

About IAEM
Since 1928, the International Association for Exhibition Management (IAEM) continues to provide quality and value to its members through leadership, service, education, and strong relationships. IAEM is the exhibition industry's premier association, with a membership of both show managers and exhibition suppliers who develop 95 percent of the 200 largest exhibitions in the industry. IAEM also supports IAEM Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary that partners with industry suppliers and service providers to offer high quality, low cost exhibition products and services to the industry. For more information, visit www.iaem.org.

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Susan Brower
+1 (972) 687-9213
sbrower@iaem.org