Ready to take your exhibitions and events career to new heights? IAEE has lined up an exceptional roster of professional development opportunities for 2026, and you don’t want to miss a single one! From intensive certification programs to cutting-edge industry forums, these events are designed to sharpen your skills, expand your network and position you at the forefront of our dynamic industry.
Mark your calendar now to get in on all the IAEE action headed your way in 2026! HINT: Click on the event name for more details into how you will take your career to a whole new level this year.
FEBRUARY
CEM Week #1
2-6 February | Freeman | Alexandria, Virginia
Accelerate your path to the Certified in Exhibition Management® (CEM) designation, the gold standard of professional achievement in our industry since 1975. CEM Week is your only opportunity to complete five face-to-face courses and five exams in just one week, knocking out more than half the program in a condensed timeframe. Learn from practicing CEMs who bring real-world experience directly to the classroom while connecting with fellow professionals through interactive discussions and exercises.
Interested in earning your CEM? Click here to learn how you can join the global network of over 5,100 active CEMs who represent the highest level of professional excellence in exhibitions and events management.
APRIL
Women’s Leadership Forum
27-28 April | MGM National Harbor | Oxon Hill, Maryland
Step into your power at IAEE’s Women’s Leadership Forum, a transformative event designed specifically for women in exhibitions and events. Regardless of your career stage or current position, this forum delivers the knowledge, strategies, and inspiration you need to excel in your role and advance your career. Walk away with practical tools, valuable resources and renewed motivation to achieve your professional goals while maintaining balance in your life.
MAY
ECA Legislative Action Day
28 May | Capitol Hill | Washington, D.C.
As a founding member of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), IAEE stands at the forefront of unified industry advocacy. Launched in 2021, ECA brings together nine leading professional and industry associations to serve as the collective voice of the business events sector. Through strategic engagement with government at federal, state and local levels, ECA champions policies that strengthen our industry’s competitiveness and growth.
The ECA Legislative Action Day offers industry leaders and advocates the opportunity to meet with their elected officials in support of ECA’s public policy priorities, including tax reform and workforce development. This is your opportunity to join colleagues in addressing our nation’s leaders on behalf of our industry!
JUNE
Healthcare Forum
16 June | Live! Casino & Hotel | Hanover, Maryland
Navigate the complexities of the healthcare exhibitions sector with confidence. This full-day forum provides meeting professionals and exhibit managers with tailored insights, industry expertise, and cutting-edge solutions for the evolving landscape of medical meetings and exhibitions. Get the specialized knowledge you need to excel in one of the industry’s most dynamic sectors.
Organizer Insights Summit
16 June | Live! Casino & Hotel | Hanover, Maryland
Managing exhibitions under 199,000 net square feet? This full-day summit is your essential resource. The Organizer Insights Summit delivers practical tools, tailored insights, and proven strategies to help you successfully manage and grow small to mid-size shows in today’s quickly evolving exhibition landscape.
Leadership Institute
17-18 June | Live! Casino & Hotel | Hanover, Maryland
Transform your leadership approach through this immersive two-day program that develops critical competencies, enhances industry knowledge and builds lasting professional networks. Explore how emotion, trust and communication intersect in everyday moments where culture is built. Through evidence-based insights and shared discovery, gain deeper self-awareness and develop strategies for creating resilient, connected teams. This isn’t about changing who you are – it’s about leading with intention and building teams that thrive when it matters most.
Special Note: Thanks to the Bob Dallmeyer Education Fund, scholarships are available for qualified applicants who need financial assistance. The application deadline is 30 March.
SEPTEMBER
CEIR Predict
10-11 September | MGM National Harbor | Oxon Hill, Maryland
Look three to five years into the future at Predict, CEIR’s Annual Exhibition Industry Outlook Conference. Predict brings together B2B exhibition executives to explore emerging trends and market forces that will shape our industry. With perspectives from forward-thinking experts outside the industry, this conference stretches your thinking and shifts the conversation from past successes to future readiness. Discover the insights you need to ensure viability and resiliency in an ever-evolving marketplace.
CEM Week #2
21-25 September | Huntington Convention Center | Cleveland, Ohio
Your second chance to complete face-to-face CEM courses in an intensive week-long format! Network with fellow students, share knowledge and experience, and exchange fresh ideas while making significant progress toward your CEM designation.
IAEE Predict in China
25-26 September | Hangzhou Grand Convention and Exhibition Center | Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
Join us in Hangzhou China for IAEE Predict at Global Digital Innovation Dialogue for Events to explore the future of exhibitions in the digital age. As geopolitical shifts, economic volatility and technological revolution reshape our industry, this conversational event brings together cross-sector experts to discover new models for the future of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) and redefine what it means to be ready for tomorrow’s challenges. Focus areas are digitization in a tech-driven era, global digital economy, sustainability innovation and more.
NOVEMBER
Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2026
16-18 November | Baird Center | Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Expo! Expo! is known among the industry as the ONE EPIC EVENT you don’t want to miss for a reason: Expo! Expo! brings together the brightest minds, coolest innovations and next-level ideas in the industry to learn, collaborate and achieve breakthroughs that will define the industry for years to come. Whether you’re launching your next big event or seeking fresh strategies to elevate your current shows, this is your playground for learning, connecting and making moves that matter. Dream bigger, innovate boldly and turn “what ifs” into “a-ha!” moments alongside industry professionals who are shaping the future of exhibitions and events.
Year-Round Opportunities
Awards Program
Recognize excellence! Each year, IAEE honors members who have made outstanding contributions to the exhibitions and events industry. Nominate a colleague who has forged new ground, achieved excellence or dedicated their career to advancing our profession. Honorees will be celebrated at the awards ceremony held during Expo! Expo! 2026 in Milwaukee. Learn more about each award category here.
Center for Exhibition Industry Research
Make better decisions for better events with industry-leading research provided by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR). Access hundreds of reports with actionable insights covering attendee/visitor insights, exhibitor reports, marketing intelligence, economic impact metrics, trend analysis and ROI strategies.
Chapter Involvement
Connect locally! Your IAEE membership includes automatic membership in your area chapter at no additional cost – bringing professional development and networking opportunities right to your community. Discover the growth and contributions happening at the grassroots level among IAEE members across the U.S. and be a part of the local action!
Community Insights Hours
Stay connected with like-minded exhibitions professionals through monthly virtual “member meets” that are included with your membership. Choose from various topics and times to engage with peers across the industry.
Demo Days
Stay ahead of event technology trends! These recurring showcases bring relevant innovations directly to organizers, featuring demonstrations and discussions on industry challenges and solutions. Should you miss a session, recordings are available so you don’t skip a beat on the industry’s latest tech developments.
MATSO Events
For major trade show organizers, MATSO Council programming provides senior-level professionals with opportunities to exchange ideas, discover solutions, network and guide new strategies. Events include dedicated programming at select industry gatherings, webinars and special sessions at Expo! Expo!.
Webinars and On-Demand Content
Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned leader, IAEE’s steady stream of webinars cover the gamut of what is top of mind for today’s exhibitions and events professionals. And, if you’re enrolled in the CEM Learning Program, you can earn continuing education credits toward your CEM designation while learning from top thought leaders by attending. IAEE’s comprehensive webinar library also offers strategic information, expert presenters and practical solutions for critical challenges.
Ready to Get In On the Action?
IAEE is committed to making 2026 an extraordinary year for professional growth and industry innovation. And here’s the best part: as an IAEE member, you enjoy FREE or discounted access to these transformative events and resources – making your membership one of the smartest investments in your career. Not an IAEE member? Click here to get in on the action right away!
