MATSO Governance
After a year of in-depth discussion between IAEE and MATSO leadership, the IAEE MATSO Council was announced in December 2013 in Houston at Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition. The focus of the MATSO Council is on all functional aspects of major show production in keeping with the original vision. The IAEE MATSO Council is governed by the IAEE Bylaws, Article IX, which outlines the council’s authority (detailed in the MATSO charge). MATSO will have an ex-officio representative on the IAEE board of directors and a staff liaison assigned to coordinate support between IAEE departments.
Mission
To present the viewpoint and advance the success of the major trade show [at least 200,000 NSF] and to provide a mechanism for the exchange and dissemination of information relevant to that audience.
Vision
To be viewed as the authority on issues relevant to all stakeholders of major trade shows [at least 200,000 NSF].
Interested in joining the MATSO Council?
2026 MATSO Council
Lisa Malikow, Chairperson
Senior Vice President, Restaurant Show, National Restaurant Association Show/ Informa Connect
Merideth Newman, CEM, Vice Chairperson
Senior Director, Trade Shows
The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI)
Mark Bogdansky, Immediate Past Chairperson
Vice President, Tradeshows and Community Engagement
Auto Care Association
Melodie Anderson, CEM, DES
Vice President, Meeting & Exhibit Experiences.
Institute of Food Technologists
Camile Candella
Group Vice President | Brand Leader
ASD Market Week | Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show
Emerald
Evan Cox, CEM
Deputy Show Director
OPEI/Equip Exposition
James “Jim” Donovan, CEM
Director, Corporate Relations & Exhibition Services
Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
Alexandra “Lexy’ Olisko, MBA, CMP, CEM
Senior Director, Meetings & Housing
The Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT)
Christy Spahn
Vice President, Expo Operations & Sales,
International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA)
Ryan Strowger, CEM
Vice President, Trade Shows & Meetings
International Sign Association
Andy Tompkins
Trade Show Director
Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
Ellen Tucker, CAE, MAS
Chief Revenue and Experience Officer
Promotional Products Association International (PPAI)
Gwen Venable, CEM
Executive Vice President, EXPO and Communication Services, U.S. Poultry and Egg Association
Dana Wuesthoff, CEM
Vice President, Exhibitions Data & Technology Applications
CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show Director
Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
2026 IAEE Leadership
Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM
President & CEO
IAEE
Nicole Bowman, MBA, CEM-AP
Staff Marketing
VP of Marketing & Communications
IAEE
Jason Ware
Staff Lead
Vice President, Events & Experiences
IAEE
Stacy Powers, MS, CEM
Staff Program
Vice President, Learning Experiences
IAEE
Beverly Benbow, M. Sc., CEM
Staff Nominating
Director of Governance
IAEE
IAEE MATSO Council Charge
The MATSO Council is comprised of not-for-profit association and for-profit exhibition organizers whose shows are at least 200,000 NSF of exhibition space. The focus of the MATSO Council is on all functional aspects of large show production: marketing and sales, legislation, labor, international challenges, and operations.
The MATSO Council encourages conversations of members fitting the criteria. The MATSO Council will provide a forum to support in-depth problem solving in a competition-free environment based on a foundation of confidentiality and trust.
Goals of the MATSO Council include but are not limited to:
- Providing a forum of support for in-depth conversation and problem-solving, addressing large-scale challenges.
- Developing best practices unique to large-scale events
- Developing position statements on issues that impact large-scale events and exhibitions overall
- Encouraging conversations via face-to-face meetings and on the Council’s private forum on IAEE MemberLink
- Encouraging membership in IAEE, and hence in the MATSO Council
- Encouraging all members meeting criteria to submit their show’s data to the CEIR Index.
As is the case with other Councils and committees of IAEE, a staff liaison will be appointed to assist with administrative details, including coordinating with other IAEE departments:
- Education/program development
- Meeting operations and logistics
- Marketing and communication (including promoting the value of the MATSO Council to both current and prospective IAEE members meeting the MATSO Council criteria
The IAEE MATSO Council will abide by the IAEE Bylaws. Article IX outlines the Council’s authority, including electing a chair to serve on the IAEE Board of Directors. The chairperson of the Council will present reports to the IAEE board directors at its meetings. The Council will abide by the IAEE Antitrust Policy.