By Mary Tucker | Senior Communications and Content Manager | IAEE
Are you ready to discover everything your IAEE membership has to offer? Whether you’re just beginning your journey with the association or looking to deepen your engagement in the new year, the upcoming webinar, Maximize Your IAEE Membership: A Comprehensive Guide to Leveraging Your Member Benefits in 2026, is designed to help you take full advantage of every benefit available to you.
Join us as we explore the comprehensive range of resources at your fingertips from diverse educational opportunities and the prestigious Certified in Exhibition Management® (CEM) designation to this year’s Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition. We’ll shine a spotlight on local chapters, networking events like our various Community Insights Hours, access to invaluable business intelligence, exciting sponsorship opportunities and our dynamic online community.
Our panel of experienced IAEE leaders will share their insights and practical guidance on how to extract the greatest value from your membership and leverage the wealth of opportunities waiting for you:
Lisa Buchanan, CEM, IAEE’s Senior Vice President of Operations, brings extensive experience in association management, having previously served as Director of Global Chapter Relations at Meeting Professionals International (MPI) where she oversaw membership and chapter functions for over 50 chapters worldwide. At IAEE, she directs the general management of staff and leads efforts in membership growth, chapter relations, and digital strategy.
Stacy Powers, CEM, MS serves as IAEE’s Vice President of Learning Experiences, where she develops and plans the association’s entire education portfolio including Expo! Expo! education, Women’s Leadership Forum, Leadership Institute, and webinar content. With a Master of Science in Human Resources and Training and years of experience managing educational programs at both IAEE and MPI, she’s uniquely positioned to guide members through IAEE’s learning opportunities.
Stephanie Phillips, IAEE’s Director of Digital Engagement and Member Experiences, oversees the organization’s digital infrastructure and member engagement strategies. With more than 14 years in association management and a focus on membership development and retention, she leads initiatives to enhance member value through digital platforms and works closely with committees to optimize the member experience.
Stacie Glenn, CEM, Senior Manager of Member Experiences at IAEE, is dedicated to enhancing member value and supporting growth and retention. She manages MemberLink – IAEE’s online forum and career center – and works with committees to identify member needs and develop relevant products and services, ensuring a seamless experience for all members.
Jennifer Potter, CEM, Senior CEM Program Manager, has been in the industry for over 20 years, 15 of those with IAEE. She guides professionals through every stage of their career development, from the Work Force Ready Assessment and Certified in Exhibition Management® (CEM) Learning Program to the CEM Advanced Professional (CEM-AP), CEM Fellow and CEM Emeritus programs – helping elevate both individual careers and the industry.
Jody M. Shaw, CEM, PMP, MS, Prosci, Director of Learning Experiences for IAEE, oversees educational logistics for webinars and annual conferences, including the Learning Management System. With two decades of event experience ranging from intimate 60-person gatherings to large-scale events with 25,000 attendees, she leads programming for Independent Organizers and Emerging Leaders.
Here, we talk with the team about how to make the most of your membership, navigate IAEE’s educational offerings and connect with the resources that matter most to your career.
LISA: What are the top three underutilized membership benefits that you see, and how can members better tap into these resources to accelerate their professional growth?
IAEE membership offers a wealth of services and benefits to its members. However, in today’s fast-paced environment, it’s easy to forget that your membership is a key to unlocking efficiencies, growth, and overall success. Here are three underutilized resources to prioritize within your IAEE membership:
- The Event Performance Analyzer Tool is designed for show organizers This tool helps evaluate and enhance show performance through metrics like audience engagement, exhibitor ROI, and financial outcomes. Surprisingly, many organizers either overlook or underuse this tool, potentially missing out on vital insights that could transform their shows.
- CEIR Reports are a powerful yet often underutilized resource. They offer industry-leading research on key topics such as attendee engagement, exhibitor satisfaction, and trends through our benchmarking studies. These insights not only serve as a strong foundation for your strategies but also help you future-proof your business. In an increasingly data-driven industry, the research by CEIR continues to be a trusted, unbiased source of reliable business intelligence year after year.
- Networking opportunities are central to any association membership. With IAEE, you can leverage regional chapters, member meet-ups, virtual Insights Hours, and the MemberLink platform to build connections, share knowledge, and explore partnerships. By engaging in these platforms and opportunities throughout the year, you ensure your membership actively supports your professional growth and network.
STACY: Given the breadth of educational programs IAEE offers, how can members strategically map out their learning journey to align with their career goals?
Given the wide range of educational programs IAEE offers, members can strategically map out their learning journey by first clearly defining their short- and long-term career goals within the exhibitions and events industry. Once they understand whether they aim to develop expertise in areas such as exhibition and event management, marketing, technology innovation or leadership, they can then prioritize IAEE educational offerings that align with those focus areas.
Start by identifying your goals and current skill set. Explore IAEE’s education portfolio of events and design your customized learning path. Leverage IAEE credentials by pursuing certifications such as the CEM certification or take a certificate course to advance your skills in a specific area. Engage with IAEE communities to connect and expand your growth.
STEPHANIE: How can members leverage IAEE’s digital platforms and tools to expand their network and stay connected with industry trends, especially for those who may not be able to attend in-person events regularly?
IAEE offers a robust suite of digital platforms and tools designed to help members stay connected, informed, and engaged – regardless of their ability to attend in-person events.
Members can leverage MemberLink, IAEE’s online community, to connect with peers, participate in discussion forums, exchange ideas, and seek advice from industry colleagues around the world. This platform enables ongoing networking and collaboration beyond face-to-face events.
The IAEE Knowledge Hub serves as a centralized resource for professional growth and industry insights. Members can access certifications, live and on-demand virtual education sessions led by subject matter experts, and a wide range of tools and resources that support continuous learning and career development.
Through the IAEE website and member portal, members can easily manage their profile, access downloaded reports and certifications, explore the member directory, and stay up to date on IAEE programs and initiatives – all in one place.
In addition to these platforms, IAEE provides targeted opportunities to help members stay current with emerging industry and technology trends. IAEE hosts three Demo Days in 2026, offering a recurring virtual forum that showcases innovation in event technology and facilitates meaningful discussion around industry challenges and solutions:
- 24 February 2026 | Data Power: Turning Insights into Action Across the Event Ecosystem
- 31 March 2026 | Tools Transforming Event Storytelling
- 19 May 2026 | Driving Engagement Through Smart Technologies
The IAEE Event Technologies Committee further supports members by developing practical, technology-focused resources such as the Event Technology Toolkit, white papers, case studies, and curated tools and tips. Together, these digital platforms and resources ensure members remain connected, informed, and competitive – no matter where they are located.
STACIE: What are some success stories you’ve seen from members who have actively engaged with MemberLink, and what tips do you have for members to make meaningful connections through the online community?
I believe the strongest success stories in MemberLink take shape when the community comes together to share insights that help a peer navigate a challenge. More often than not, if you are encountering an issue, others have faced something similar.
Meaningful connections are built by engaging thoughtfully in discussions relevant to you and prioritizing shared insights over promotion. Sharing real experiences such as lessons learned and practical tips will foster trust and authenticity.
JENNIFER: For members considering pursuing their CEM, what does the journey look like, and how does IAEE support candidates throughout the certification process?
To enroll in the CEM program, we require at least three years of experience in the exhibitions and events industry. There is an application and a fee to enroll in the program. The application fee is $125 USD for members. Once applicants are accepted into the program, they receive a digital copy of “The Art of the Show: An Introduction to the Study of Exhibition Management” textbook which is what the program is based on. Members receive discounted fees on the registration for CEM courses.
Candidates will choose any nine out of the 13 courses offered to complete the program. Courses are offered on-demand (through Elevate), on-location (face-to-face) and virtually (through Zoom). You may take all nine courses on-demand, on-location, virtually or a combination of formats.
Each course has a corresponding exam that must be taken within 90 days of the course date. You have three years from the date of your first passed exam in which to complete all nine courses and exams. If you have your CMP, you automatically receive credit for the Conference and Meeting Management course, therefore you only must take eight courses and exams.
All new graduates have the opportunity to “walk the stage” at Expo! Expo! where they can show their peers that they earned the designation by participating in the CEM graduation ceremony.
The journey doesn’t end there though. CEMs can continue on to earn their CEM-AP (Advanced Program) designation and as they progress through their career, even the CEM Fellow and CEM Emeritus designation.
JODY: How can newer industry professionals and emerging leaders best utilize IAEE’s resources to fast-track their career development and build a strong foundation in the field?
If you’re in the events industry with 0-5 years of experience, the best way to get started is by diving in with a thirst for knowledge! The IAEE Knowledge Hub has virtual sessions that can be watched live or on-demand and is easy to navigate with the seven different categories to choose from. The New To The Industry category provides an introduction into multiple industry areas from events design to event technology that is designed specifically for professionals joining the industry.
There are also new IAEE Master Series Certificates, which provide best practices that can be implemented immediately. In addition, the IAEE Master Series Certificates provide a downloadable Certificate of Completion that showcases your commitment to the exhibitions and events industry as well as your dedication to your professional development journey.
Another way to build a strong foundation for your exhibitions and events career is to network and ask questions! We are launching a new Emerging Leaders Community in MemberLink, in which participants can ask and answer questions, share articles, and get new ideas from their peers. In addition, in 2026 we will be offering Emerging Leaders Insights Hours in which participants will lead the conversation. With webcams and mics on, attendees will be able to network in breakout rooms, share challenges, and collectively create solutions to those challenges.
