Jeff Davis has worked at Emerald X since January 2022 and leads the sales function across Emerald’s events portfolio. Prior to this role, Jeff led Emerald’s Outdoor & Action Sports portfolio of business-to-business (B2B) and consumer events. Jeff also spent 10 years in a variety of leadership roles at Informa that spanned across sales, marketing and digital product development.
A Baylor University graduate, Jeff spent the early part of his career in digital and broadcast media roles at Tribune, Gannett, and AH Belo. He and his wife, Michele, live in Dallas and have two children.
Here, Jeff shares why he enjoys serving on IAEE’s Expo! Expo! Advisory Committee and what he looks forward to the most at Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2024 this 16-19 December in Los Angeles, California.
What motivated you to join IAEE’s Expo! Expo! Advisory Committee, and what do you hope to achieve through your service?
I’ve always felt strongly about making time to work on industry initiatives in addition to my day-to-day job responsibilities. It helps me stay connected to people and ideas elsewhere in the industry.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing the exhibitions and events industry today, and how can attendees at Expo! Expo! learn to address these issues?
Value delivery in an era where hard costs for organizers, exhibitors and audiences are rising at a rapid rate. This requires a consistent and fast flow of ideas that go from brainstorm to execution.
How do you leverage your experience as a show ambassador during Expo! Expo! to gather insights and improve future events?
I think of this is purposeful networking. Of course, I’m here because I enjoy seeing my industry friends, but I’m super-inquisitive about how others are dealing with challenges. At the same time, while I’m here to learn, part of the networking value exchange is sharing your own challenges and ideas because that can help others, too.
As a show organizer, what do you see as the greatest takeaways for those who attend Expo! Expo!?
Returning to work with a rejuvenated spirit and purpose – change of place and scenery can do the mind good! I always like to return with three specific things that I can share with my teams.
What do you look forward to the most at this year’s Expo! Expo! in Los Angeles?
For sure, celebrating another year in the books while eagerly anticipating the next one. There are several sessions that I’m stoked to attend, and of course, it’s the after-hours idea exchanges where I seem to learn the most.
Register for Expo! Expo! here before the BE SMART rates end on 23 October! Interested in serving on an IAEE council, committee or task force? Find out more here!
