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The Leadership Moments We Usually Miss

The moments that build (or break) team trust rarely show up on an agenda – they happen in the half-second pause before you respond to a crisis, mistake or frustrated colleague. Here, 2025 IAEE Educator of the Year Matthew Kalb dives into what's really happening in that pause and how to use it more intentionally for more productive leadership that will reinforce psychological safety and strengthen trust to build stronger, more resilient teams.

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Champagne Taste, Lemonade Budget

Revenue Strategies That Deliver

My CEM is a Lifelong Compass

Know Your Consumer’s Mindset

Rising anxiety. A widening gap between income and cost of living. Loyalty that shifts the moment a brand misreads the room. Catch up on the insights helping exhibitions and events executives decode today’s buyer psychology, then join us at CEIR Predict this September to hear what's coming next.

These Future-Ready Innovations Are Shaping Events

If you attended Expo! Expo! last December, you left with innovative frameworks, fresh language for ideas and a renewed sense of what’s possible for your show. If you weren’t able to make it, this blog series is your chance to catch up on the conversations that are still shaping how organizers think about the future. We’re breaking down three sessions that looked ahead at the partnerships, science and bold bets that are defining what’s next for exhibitions and events.

The Ripple Effect of Recognition

Behind every award-winning trade show is a person whose work deserves a moment in the spotlight. IAEE Chairperson Brian Pagel makes the case that recognition is more than a "nice to have" in our industry – it's a strategic lever that builds culture, retains talent and lifts the entire community. Read on to see why your next nomination might matter more than you think.

What’s Next for Our Industry in Washington? A Conversation with ECA’s Tommy Goodwin

What happens in Washington, D.C. doesn’t stay there, it shows up across the U.S. exhibitions and events ecosystem. Here, ECA President & CEO Tommy Goodwin breaks down the political and policy developments every industry professional needs to know heading into the second half of 2026. Because the decisions being made right now will shape the future of the industry, and the time to pay attention is before it's too late.

Dennis Smith’s Legacy Will Shape Tomorrow’s Leaders

What does it take to leave a lasting mark on an entire industry? In this candid conversation, discover how Pinnacle Award winner Dennis Smith’s approach to navigating crisis, championing the next generation and thinking globally has created a blueprint for meaningful impact. Spoiler alert: you will learn how you can make a difference in your own leadership journey by challenging how you build trust, drive change and invest in people.

The Cost of Showing Up and Why Our Industry Must Rethink Value

Trade show budgets are under serious strain and the numbers don't lie. IAEE Chairperson Brian Pagel looks at what the latest industry research reveals about where exhibitor dollars are disappearing, and why organizers can no longer afford to look the other way. The question isn't just whether exhibitors will keep showing up, it's whether we're making it worth it when they do.

Design Experiences That Exceed Expectations

If you attended Expo! Expo! last December, you left brimming with action items and the kind of clarity that only comes from being in a room full of people who truly ‘get it.’ If you weren’t able to make it, this blog series is your backstage pass to the sessions that are still sparking conversations. Here, we revisit three powerful sessions designed to stretch how you think about design, operations and the experiences you’re building for your attendees.

My CEM Still Opens Doors

After more than three decades in the exhibitions industry, Dan Cole has a simple answer for anyone debating whether to earn their CEM: the credential doesn’t just sharpen your skills, it compounds them. From speaking on global stages to teaching the very curriculum that once shaped him, Dan traces a career of ever-widening possibilities back to one deliberate investment in himself.

How Tara Brashear Mastered the Art of Showing Up

Discover the secrets behind building thriving professional communities from an award-winning leader who is helping transform her chapter. Chapter Merit Award winner Tara Brashear shares practical strategies for fostering authentic member connections, creating educational experiences that truly matter and finding your own path to impactful leadership – whether you’re a seasoned IAEE member or an enthusiastic new member with lots of great ideas and passion for the industry.

How to Win and Keep Exhibitors

Filling your exhibit hall is one thing but building a roster of exhibitors who come back year after year is something else entirely. The good news? Your peers have figured out some smart, low-cost ways to do both. Here’s what they shared.

Is Your Event an Experience or Just a Service?

Time is the new currency, smartphones are your competition and your attendees are settling for less than they truly want. The most forward-thinking organizations are already moving from passive presentations to dynamic conversations and from information delivery to collaborative output that couldn’t exist without the room. Catch up on the insights redefining what great events look like, then join us at CEIR Predict this September to hear what’s coming next.

Healthy Strategies for Healthcare Sponsorship

The rules around healthcare event sponsorship are getting tighter, but the playbook is getting smarter. Discover how leading organizers are turning compliance constraints and vendor complexity into competitive advantages. The insights might just change how you approach your next event.
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