Signature Boston
December 20, 2022
Expo! Expo! 2023 to be Held 3-5 December in Dallas
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) brought together more than 1,700 industry professionals (pending verified audit) to the Kentucky International Convention Center at this year’s Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition, held 13-15 December 2022 in Louisville, Ky USA.
“We are very pleased with the turnout and the overall event,” said IAEE President and CEO David DuBois, CMP-F, CAE, FASAE, CTA. “The information shared at the education and general sessions, the business conducted on the show floor and the camaraderie at the networking events – not to mention Louisville’s warm hospitality – illustrate why Expo! Expo! is THE PLACE TO BE.”
Expo! Expo! overflowed with learning opportunities starting with CEM and CEM-AP courses held on Monday, 12 December and continuing on Tuesday, 13 December. Tuesday featured Education Day with tracks in these five focus areas: Content Creation, Bridging Relationships, Game Plan Moves, Grow Your Show and The Evolving Professional.
IAEE Chapter receptions on Tuesday evening gave attendees the opportunity to mingle with their peers. The evening ended with the Opening Reception at Churchill Downs, where attendees enjoyed a one-of-a-kind experience at the home of the world-famous Kentucky Derby.
Fifty participants started the day off on Wednesday, 14 December with the T-Dawg Wellness Wake Up by completing a walk from Kentucky to Indiana on the iconic Big Four Bridge across the Ohio River and raising more than $3,000 for the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) in memory of industry friend, Terence Donnelly.
The Opening General Session on Wednesday morning featured a warm welcome by DuBois and President and CEO of Louisville Tourism Cleo Battle, CDME, CTA.
CEM Commission Chair Ryan Lovell, CEM-AP was then joined by Janet Dell, COO of Freeman, sponsor of IAEE’s Certification Journey, for the CEM Class of 2022 Presentation which recognized this year’s 271 graduates of the CEM Learning Program as well as four new professionals who received the CEM-Advanced Professional (CEM-AP) designation. These professionals join the ranks of the more than 3,700 CEMs worldwide.
The Opening General Session concluded with Vice President of Sales for Visit Milwaukee Leslie Johnson introducing 2022 IAEE Chairperson Carrie Ferenac who interviewed keynote speaker Lauren Holiday, former U.S. Women’s Soccer Player and three-time gold medalist. Holiday shared with attendees her outlook on maintaining positivity through adversity, balancing competitiveness and humility, and her successful transition from the soccer field to the business field.
Attendees then proceeded to the Expo! Expo! show floor featuring 233 exhibitors in nearly 31,000 net square feet of sold exhibit space. In addition to conducting business and witnessing the exclusive launch of new products and services, attendees engaged in the Expo! Expo! Derby Race where they competed for more than $25,000 in prizes. Powered by show partner Captello, this interactive game experience offered attendees the opportunity to earn points at “Derby stops” spread out across the meeting’s sessions and on the show floor. Prizes were awarded at both the individual and group levels.
Wednesday’s networking activities included the First Timer and Hosted Buyer receptions, Exhibitor Hospitality Hours and Young Professionals Party, and culminated at Humanity Rocks: A Celebration with a Cause, brought you by GES and supported by CORT Events where attendees raised funds for local charity, the Backside Learning Center. Humanity Rocks was followed by the PRIDE After Party, Supporting LGBTQIA+ Community.
The final day of Expo! Expo! on Thursday, 15 December featured more opportunities to connect with industry suppliers on the show floor, followed by the Closing General Session. DuBois opened the session with the final results of the fifth annual Tech Startup and Pitch Competition, in which ExpoFP took the top honor for its interactive floor plans.
Executive Vice President, Business Development for GES Chuck Grouzard then presented a $10,000 check for the proceeds raised at Humanity Rocks to Sherry Stanley with the Backside Learning Center, an independent non-profit organization providing support and resources in a safe, welcoming environment for the diverse community of racetrack workers and their families in Louisville.
DuBois and 2022 IAEE Awards Chairperson Daniel McKinnon, CEM then recognized this year’s recipients of the IAEE Awards.
The awards ceremony was followed by the “Live from Louisville” special segment with outgoing chairperson Ferenac, who recapped the accomplishments of the past year and interviewed 2023 IAEE Chairperson Dennis Smith, Vice President of Business Development for the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, on his vision for 2023.
Craig Davis, President and CEO of Visit Dallas, then introduced Jason Ware, Vice President of Housing Operations and Contracting for MCI USA, for the final keynote presentation. Ware was joined by Dallas native Liz Mikel, actor and vocalist currently portraying John Hancock in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, “1776.” Mikel revved audience members up for next year’s Expo! Expo! in Dallas and treated them to an unforgettable musical performance.
The session concluded with the recognition of the Expo! Expo! Derby Race Grand Prize Winners and the invitation to Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2023 which will be held 3-5 December at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas USA.
IAEE extends a special thank you to all its partners who helped make Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2022 a great 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 and Risk Strategies Company | Buttine Insurance. Visit www.iaee.com for more information.
Media Inquiries:
Mary Tucker
Sr. Communications & Content Manager
+1(972) 687-9226
mtucker@iaee.com
