The International Association of Exhibitions and Events®️ (IAEE) announced today key details about the integration strategy that will strengthen resources and opportunities for the exhibitions and events community following its successful acquisition of Exhibitor Group. Leadership continuity, program preservation and expanded community benefits guide the next phase of the organizations’ strategic consolidation.
Intentionally Infused Structure Ensures Seamless Continuity
IAEE’s newly formed Exhibitor Group Division will be led by General Manager Stephanie Gibbs, CTSM, who will oversee the complete portfolio of Exhibitor Group brands, including EXHIBITOR magazine, EXHIBITORLIVE, and the respected Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) certification program. This leadership structure ensures that the trusted voice and expertise that industry professionals have relied on for decades will continue without interruption.
“We’re committed to preserving what makes these brands invaluable to our industry while enhancing their reach and impact through IAEE’s global network,” said IAEE President and CEO Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM. “Stephanie’s leadership ensures that the quality and innovation our community expects will not only continue but flourish.”
“This moment is about more than integration – it’s about alignment,” added Gibbs. “By uniting Exhibitor Group’s deep expertise in education and engagement with IAEE’s global platform, we’re creating a more connected, informed and empowered industry. Our focus is on elevating the role of exhibitors and ensuring they have the tools, insights and community they need to succeed in an evolving events landscape.”
Historic 2028 United Experience Marks IAEE’s Centennial Milestone
In a landmark announcement, IAEE revealed plans to integrate the EXHIBITORLIVE experience with Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition in December 2028 in Las Vegas, Nev., coinciding with IAEE’s 100th anniversary celebration. This unprecedented event will bring together the industry’s most comprehensive gathering of organizers, exhibitors, suppliers and stakeholders for a centennial celebration that honors their shared legacy while charting the future of face-to-face events.
“This fusion of the ecosystem is a powerful symbol of our united industry,” said Flanagan. “Bringing these two premier events together into one location to mark IAEE’s centennial year creates an unparalleled opportunity for connection, learning and celebration.”
A Unified Voice: Growing the Community, Elevating the Profession and Championing the Ecosystem
As IAEE welcomes Exhibitor Group stakeholders into its global community, this union represents more than expanded membership; it’s a commitment to building trust, elevating the profession, and advocating for the entire exhibitions and events ecosystem on behalf of every organizer, exhibitor and supplier.
Corporate event marketers and exhibition organizers gain immediate access to a broader set of resources designed specifically for the challenges and opportunities they face:
- Stronger Industry Advocacy: IAEE actively promotes the value of face-to-face events to clients, C-suite stakeholders and the broader business community, giving exhibition organizers and corporate event marketers a powerful, unified voice.
- Exhibit-Specific Intelligence: Stay ahead with curated research, benchmarking data and trend reporting focused on exhibitor ROI, booth strategy, audience engagement and the evolving expectations of today’s trade show attendee.
- A Trusted Professional Community: Connect with peers through a thriving global network built on shared expertise and candid best-practice exchange.
- Career-Defining Credentials: The Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) and Certified in Exhibition Management® (CEM) programs remain the gold standard for professional development in this industry, now supported by IAEE’s expanded educational infrastructure and broader community reach.
- Global Business Access: Tap into international connections and chapter-level relationships that open doors to new vendors, partners and markets.
- Cross-Ecosystem Perspective: Gain insight into the organizer and supplier sides of the industry, fostering the mutual understanding and trust that makes for stronger partnerships and more successful events.
Click here for more information about IAEE’s offerings.
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, 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.
About Exhibitor Group
Exhibitor Group is North America’s leader in trade show and corporate event marketing education. The organization produces EXHIBITOR magazine, the award-winning publication featuring best practices in trade show marketing, and EXHIBITORLIVE, the industry’s premier conference and exhibition for trade show and corporate event marketing professionals. Exhibitor Group is also the founder of the Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) university-affiliated professional certification program. Learn more at www.ExhibitorOnline.com.
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Media Inquiries:
Mary Tucker
Sr. Communications & Content Manager | IAEE
+1 (972) 687-9226
mtucker@iaee.com