Expo! Expo! 2026 to be Held 16-18 November in Milwaukee
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) brought together more than 1,800 industry professionals (pending verified audit) to Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2025, held 8-10 December at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.
“Houston delivered an extraordinary week of learning, celebration and transformation! From start to finish, this year’s Expo! Expo! showcased the innovative spirit that defines our industry,” said IAEE President and CEO Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM. “The immersive learning zones on the exhibition floor brought education to life in exciting new ways, and the networking both on and off the show floor was remarkable. We extend a heartfelt thank you to all our partners, exhibitors and attendees who made Expo! Expo! 2025 unforgettable and look forward to another amazing event next year in Milwaukee.”
DAY 1: MONDAY, 8 DECEMBER
Expo! Expo! 2025 kicked off its robust learning program with Certified in Exhibition Management® (CEM) courses held on Monday, followed by a spirited chair chapter challenge competition and IAEE chapter receptions.
Attendees then proceeded to the opening reception that started with the IAEE/TSNN Awards Celebration officially recognizing the 2025 IAEE Award Winners and TSNN honorees.
Houston First Corporation surprised and delighted attendees with a spectacular fireworks and custom drone display, followed by a full evening of networking and camaraderie.
DAY 2: TUESDAY, 9 DECEMBER
Tuesday morning’s General Session opened with Flanagan welcoming attendees alongside 2025 IAEE Chairperson Chuck Grouzard, who highlighted IAEE’s accomplishments throughout the year.
Grouzard announced the IAEE Washington, D.C. Chapter as the winner of the previous day’s chapter challenge competition.
Grouzard also presented the 2025 IAEE Chairperson’s Award to Julie W. Smith, CTA, CEM-AP, CEM Fellow, Senior Vice President of Business Development for GES, recognizing her passion, commitment and tireless dedication to IAEE over nearly four decades.
2025 CEM Commission Chair Kyle F. Jordan, Ed.M., MS, CAE, CEM-AP, CMP Fellow, DES, CMM was then joined by Carrie Freeman Parsons, Chair of the Board at Freeman Company – proud sponsor of IAEE’s CEM Learning Program – for the CEM Class of 2025 presentation. This year’s 1,300 graduates join the more than 5,100 CEMs worldwide. More than 40 new graduates graced the stage, followed by two industry professionals who earned their CEM-AP (Advanced Professional) designation and the newest CEM Fellow.
Jordan concluded the graduation ceremony by leading an enthusiastic audience engagement chant celebrating the program’s 50th anniversary.
Visit Anchorage Senior Vice President David Kasser and Steve Rader, General Manager at the Anchorage Convention Centers, then introduced keynote speaker Kyle Scheele who delivered a powerful presentation, THINKING INSIDE THE BOX: How Tough Times Fuel True Creativity and Innovation.
Scheele explored how constraints can serve as the breeding ground for creativity, emphasizing the difference between constructive and restrictive constraints. He also challenged attendees to reframe their perceptions of their own constraints to find creative – and perhaps even surprisingly effective – solutions.
Flanagan and Grouzard returned to the stage to welcome incoming IAEE Chairperson Brian Pagel. Pagel, who served as 2025 Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) Chairperson, recapped the successes of the year including a collaboration with leading strategy experts Dr. Sam Potolicchio and MBB Consulting Group that will bring world-class consulting services to the industry, help organizations navigate complex challenges, drive growth and optimize performance.
Pagel also noted that in January 2026, CEIR will fully integrate with IAEE, streamlining services to members and providing resources from both brands in one convenient place. This change is part of a strategic effort to connect members to the industry-leading research that CEIR produces every year as the official research division of IAEE.
The general session closed with the airwalls opening up to the Expo! Expo! exhibition floor featuring an innovative new layout that not only showcased 230+ exhibitors across more than 35,000 net square feet, but incorporated five immersive learning zones directly onto the floor:
- Captivate, Engage, Elevate: The Ultimate Marketing Playbook
- Monetize & Maximize: Sales and Sponsorship Mastery
- Event Excellence: Elevating Design, Operations and Engagement
- Forward Thinking: Innovations and Insights Shaping the Future
- The Power of AI’s Impact on Event Evolution
New this year, the Sustainability Sanctuary offered a collaboration hub where industry leaders, solution providers and sustainability advocates rolled up their sleeves and tackled real-world challenges together through informative discussions and idea exchanges.
The PRIDE Party and Young Professionals Party on Tuesday evening provided more opportunities for connection and celebration among industry peers.
DAY 3: WEDNESDAY, 10 DECEMBER
Wednesday started with the Terence Donnelly Memorial Health and Wellness Event, hosted by Maritz. Participants conquered the Marriott Marquis Houston by climbing and descending 29 floors to push limits, build friendship and celebrate every step of the journey. Proceeds from this activity and the Expo! Expo! Silent Auction on the exhibition floor support CEIR research and IAEE scholarships.
After another full day of learning and networking continued on the exhibition floor culminating in the closing party, the Expo! Expo! 2026 Milwaukee Rustic Roadhouse Rally hosted by VISIT Milwaukee. Attendees left Houston revved up for Expo! Expo! 2026 to be held on 16-18 November at the newly expanded Baird Center featuring state-of-the-art amenities.
IAEE is proud to have partnered with Houston Inspired Catering and Second Servings of Houston to ensure that all unserved food from the event was collected and donated to those in need throughout the Houston area, helping nourish Houston’s community and reduce waste.
Check out the action at this year’s Expo! Expo! on IAEE’s YouTube channel featuring highlights from Houston and special interviews with attendees here.
IAEE extends a special thank you to its Expo! Expo! partners who helped make this year’s meeting an outstanding success:
About IAEE
Trusted since 1928, IAEE provides quality and value to its members through leadership, service, education and strong relationships. IAEE is the largest association of the exhibitions and events industry in the world, with a membership of show organizers, exhibitors and exhibition suppliers. Organizers of more than 20,000 exhibitions and buyer-seller events around the world are members of IAEE, and the organization advocates and promotes the awareness of face-to-face exhibitions and events as the primary medium for business development and growth. IAEE provides relevant, timely and innovative education to its members and the industry. IAEE recognizes its strategic partners: 4imprint, Convention News Television (CNTV), eShow, Freeman, GES | onPeak, Grit Productions and Expositions, IMEX, New Orleans & Company, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Risk Strategies Company | Buttine Insurance, Snöball and Swapcard. Visit www.iaee.com for more information.
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Media Inquiries:
Mary Tucker
Sr. Communications & Content Manager | IAEE
+1 (972) 687-9226
mtucker@iaee.com