By Mary Tucker | Senior Communications and Content Manager | IAEE
In the dynamic world of exhibition and event management education, few have made as significant an impact as Dr. Chin-Hsun (Ken) Tsai, CAHTA, CHIA, CTA, Associate Professor and Director of the Event Management Program at Iowa State University. Ken has transformed Iowa State University’s Event Management Program into the country’s leading educational offering in the field. Currently ranked #1 as the best college for Event Planning degree programs according to schools.com and College Factual (2025), the program reflects his profound impact on event management education.
As both program director and the elected International Council for Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) Director of Networking, Ken continues to shape the landscape of event education through his innovative teaching methods, commitment to experiential learning and dedication to student success.
Ken’s educational philosophy seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology with practical industry experience. Through initiatives like the Event Technology Innovation Lab (ETIL), he has created an environment where students can develop entrepreneurial skills while working on real-world projects with industry partners. This innovative approach has attracted collaborations with 32 businesses and extension units, including prestigious organizations such as The Fashion Show and the Textile and Clothing Museum. These partnerships provide students with invaluable hands-on experience and industry connections before they even graduate.
The impact of Ken’s mentorship extends far beyond the classroom. His students consistently demonstrate exceptional achievement, with many launching successful careers and entrepreneurial ventures. One notable example is Stephanie Bias, who co-authored a peer-reviewed publication with Ken as an undergraduate student before embarking on her own entrepreneurial journey – a success story featured in the university’s “Women Entrepreneurship Spotlight.”
Ken’s commitment to providing global perspectives in event education is exemplified by his development of an international study abroad program to Dubai. This initiative offers students an opportunity to experience different cultural approaches to event management while expanding their professional networks globally. As a member of the IAEE Faculty Advisory Committee, Ken has also influenced undergraduate pedagogy nationwide, helping to establish standards and best practices that bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application.
Ken’s unwavering dedication to fostering innovation and academic excellence earned him the 2024 IAEE Bob Dallmeyer Educator of the Year Award, for which he was recognized this past December at Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Los Angeles, California.
Here, Ken shares insights into his innovative educational philosophy, how his leadership roles have shaped student preparation for the industry, and his vision for addressing the challenges facing exhibitions and events education today.
As an advocate for our industry in academia, how has your educational philosophy evolved throughout your career and in what ways do you believe it has contributed to Iowa State University’s Event Management Program becoming the top-ranked program in the nation?
Ken: My approach to education has evolved to focus on blending technology, hands-on learning, and real-world industry partnerships. Early in my career, I realized that students learn best when they’re not just absorbing information, but actually doing, going, and creating. That’s why I’ve built our program around hands-on experiences, global engagement (study abroad) and partnerships with real businesses. By weaving together technology, industry collaboration, and practical projects, we’re not just teaching theory – we’re preparing students to lead and innovate in the global events industry.
This approach is a big reason why Iowa State’s Event Management Program has earned its top national ranking. Our focus on experiential learning, through initiatives like the Event Technology Innovation Lab (ETIL), allows students to gain real-world skills, innovate with purpose, and build entrepreneurial mindsets. This approach not only attracts top talent but also equips our graduates with the competencies needed to lead and innovate in the global events industry.
The Event Technology Innovation Lab (ETIL) that you established has collaborated with 32 businesses and extension units. Could you describe a particularly successful collaboration and explain how these partnerships enhance your students’ learning experience?
Ken: My favorite collaborations were with “The Fashion Show” and “The Conference,” our capstone event production course. Imagine students running one of the nation’s largest student-led fashion shows, but with the added challenge of integrating the latest event tech. Our students took charge of everything from digital marketing to backstage logistics, working side by side with industry professionals.
The result? They didn’t just learn about event management, they lived it. What made this collaboration particularly valuable was the scale and complexity of the event, requiring students to develop professional-level skills in project management, stakeholder communication, and creative problem-solving. This kind of immersive, real-world learning is invaluable, as it helps students bridge the gap between classroom theories and industry practices, providing students with tangible portfolio pieces and confidence that distinguishes them in the job market.
You wear multiple hats as you integrate learning environments versus real-world applications. How do your various roles complement each other, and how have they shaped your approach to preparing students for a career in exhibitions and events?
Ken: Wearing multiple hats keeps me connected to every part of a student’s journey and helps me see the big picture. One day, I might be updating our curriculum to reflect the latest event industry trends; the next, I’m mentoring students on a live project with an event business partner. This 360-degree view helps me spot opportunities for students to apply what they’re learning, build their networks, and develop the confidence they need to succeed after graduation.
Your study abroad program to Dubai offers students global perspectives on exhibition management. What inspired you to create this particular international experience, and what unique insights do students gain from exposure to the Dubai events market?
Ken: I wanted students to see event management on a truly global stage. The Dubai study abroad program emerged from recognizing the need for students to experience global perspectives in event and hospitality management firsthand. Dubai is a perfect classroom – it’s where cultures, technology, and mega-events intersect. The city’s position as a crossroads of Eastern and Western business practices offers students unique insights into cross-cultural event planning and international stakeholder management.
Students who participate in this program gain invaluable exposure to innovative venue design, sustainable event practices, and cultural considerations in global events. They meet with industry leaders from diverse backgrounds and observe how cultural context shapes event execution. This international perspective has proven transformative for students, many of whom return with expanded professional networks and a more sophisticated understanding of the global events ecosystem
As a member of IAEE’s Faculty Advisory Committee, you have influenced event management education nationally. What do you see as today’s most significant education challenges facing the industry, and how are you working to address them through your committee work and teaching practices?
Ken: The pace of technological change, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence, has fundamentally reshaped what it means to prepare students for the events industry. AI brings incredible opportunities: it enables personalized learning, offers real-time feedback, and helps us tailor educational experiences to students’ strengths and needs.
AI is opening up exciting new possibilities in education, but it’s also bringing some real challenges that we need to navigate thoughtfully. There are concerns about data privacy, algorithmic bias, and making sure that technology doesn’t overshadow the human touch that’s so vital in both education and event management. As educators, we have to ensure that AI is used responsibly and ethically, and that we’re not leaving anyone behind-especially as new tools can sometimes widen the digital divide if not implemented thoughtfully.
In our program, I’ve worked to blend AI and experiential learning in ways that keep students engaged and hands-on. For instance, we use AI-driven tools to give students instant feedback on projects, but we always pair this with mentorship and reflective practice-so students learn how to use technology as a tool, not a crutch. We’re also updating our curriculum through the IAEE Faculty Advisory Committee to include not just technical skills, but also critical thinking about AI’s role in the industry, ethical considerations, and the importance of creativity and emotional intelligence.
Ultimately, my goal is to help students become agile, thoughtful professionals who can leverage AI to enhance their work while still leading with empathy, innovation, and a deep understanding of the human side of events. This balance is what will set our graduates apart in a rapidly evolving field.
