Kara Dao, CEM Fellow, DES, Chief Operating Officer for JDC Events, was recognized with IAEE’s inaugural Certified in Exhibition Management® (CEM) Fellow designation this past December. The CEM Fellows Program is an honorary recognition program for those in the exhibitions and events industry who are at the pinnacle of their careers. Kara was honored for her achievement in tandem with the 2024 Class of CEM Graduates that was held at the Expo! Expo! IAEE Annual Meeting and Exhibition in Los Angeles, CA.
“The CEM Fellows program recognizes extraordinary professionals who have not just achieved excellence in our industry, but who have committed themselves to elevating exhibitions and events through mentorship, education and sustained leadership,” notes IAEE President and CEO Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM. “Kara’s achievement represents the highest caliber of professional dedication, embodying the spirit of continuous learning and service that defines our most impactful industry leaders.”
“I am deeply honored to have received this recognition,” Kara shares. “My love for the work we do as a team here at JDC fuels my passion and has always been the driving force behind everything I do. Every day, this industry teaches me something new. I’m grateful for the opportunities to provide thought leadership, provide mentorship and facilitate learning. For me there is nothing quite like the joy of supporting others on their journeys – it’s truly unmatched by the world of events.”
In the spirit of sharing knowledge, Kara shares six tips she considers some of the most important advice for fellow exhibitions and events professionals.
Tip #1: Be Curious
This allows for creativity and the open-minded thinking that you will need when planning events. Curiosity should be an essential trait for event professionals – it will naturally encourage you to stay on top of what is trending and get a look at what might be coming around the corner before anyone else. This curiosity will enable you not only meet but exceed your client’s expectations and deliver on the promise of success; for example, by creating unexpected and engaging experiences that well and truly captivate your audience and leave them looking forward to your next event.
Tip #2: Put Others First
Simply put, this is a brilliant growth strategy. When dealing with venues, suppliers, and teammates, actively listen and put their ideas forward before yours. This is less about kindness and more about allowing yourself to be open to others’ ideas and suggestions. Use all the tools at your disposal to gather and incorporate feedback, blend diverse interests and ensure accessibility to create events that not only meet the requirements as outlined, but reward attendees with a sense of delight and surprise as they take part in an event that feels custom-made just for them.
Tip #3: Never Stop Learning
It doesn’t matter if you’re new to the business or a seasoned pro, we should always cultivate a passion for learning which is one of the important ways how we grow. Whether you join small, curated lunch discussions or attend annual conferences, read books or take classes, continuous learning will enrich and deepen your knowledge base, keep you current on new trends and enhance your overall experience. Learning isn’t just a way to add credentials to your CV, it keeps mind and skills sharp and opens the doors to leadership opportunities and personal development.
Tip #4: Mentor and Mentee
Mentorships are such an important part of the event planning industry, and one of the main channels through which knowledge is passed on from generation to generation. The best mentorship programs are built around a structure that outlines duration, frequency of interactions and expectations, as well as clear guidelines set goals. And don’t just take someone under your own wing, one of the best ways to further and expand your own base of knowledge is to reach out and ask for someone else to show you their way to acquire new skills and broaden your diversity.
Tip #5: Build Your Network, Purposefully
This is a surefire way to enable you and your business to develop resiliency when faced with challenges and adversity, and to ignite new opportunities and attract new business leads. From seeking out people who are different from you in career path and industry, to obtaining and sharing advice, finding solutions and attracting sponsors, networking is like a magical glue that brings good things together. Networking is also a great way to further your learning as well – attend conferences with a student mindset and find insights that you can then use for personal and professional growth as well as becoming a beacon of learning for others as well.
Tip #6: Be a Connector
One of the most important things we can do as event professionals is to serve our industry by connecting people to others. A connector is the social equivalent of a computer network hub and will help create valuable liaisons across a wide array of social, professional, cultural and economic circles. As a connector, not only do you help others create touch points, but you in turn will reap the benefits as well when people you have connected to will in turn keep you in mind for opportunities and future contacts. As a connector, your mindset should be keyed to thinking about others first without any expectations for anything in return as this aspect of networking is about building relationships and growing a stronger and more engages network.
