Signature Boston
December 19, 2022
2023 Board Election Results Announced
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) announced the results of the elections for its 2023 Board of Directors. Members of IAEE’s Board of Directors are elected on an annual basis by the official voting member of each IAEE member company. All officers serve a term of one year, except the secretary/treasurer who may hold the office for two years. The directors each serve three years in staggered terms to ensure continuity in the governance of the association.
Smith is the Vice President of Business Development for the Asian American Hotel Owners Association. Previously he held the title of Sr. Director for Exposition Sales and Business Development at AVIXA, the global trade association for the pro AV and integrated experiences industry. Smith began his trade show career in Europe and spent close to 18 years living in Europe working for some of the top global trade show organizations.
Apart from launching his own trade show company in 1997, Smith has held several executive level positions and has been directly responsible for organizing more than 250 different international events in more than 30 countries covering a multitude of industries to include textiles, automotive, manufacturing, technology, food and construction.
Born in Colorado and having served in the U.S. Army, Smith has an MBA in International Business and is highly experienced in global strategy for events around the globe. He is married with two children and currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
“I look forward to supporting IAEE’s three key pillars of Membership, Learning and Advocacy in 2023,” Smith said. “It is also my goal to help develop strategies IAEE members can use to grow their events, deliver increased ROI to stakeholders, and make an impact to ongoing efforts in areas of workforce development, sustainability and DE&I initiatives.”
“Dennis has served in many roles throughout the association across his years of involvement with IAEE,” noted IAEE President and CEO David DuBois, CMP-F, CAE, FASAE, CTA. “We are pleased to welcome him as the 2023 IAEE Chairperson, and look forward to a productive year ahead with our new and continuing Board members.”
The newest members to the 2023 IAEE Board of Directors are:
Director Michael Clarke
Director, Global Sales B2B Marketing & Events, Americas
Marriott International, Inc.
Director Michelle Edmonson, CEM
Vice President, Exhibitions
AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology
Director Mary Pat Heftman
President
MPH LLC
Director Nichapa (Nikki) Yoswee, CEM
Senior Vice President
Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)
Continuing Board of Directors include:
Chairperson-Elect Marie Browne
Group Vice President
RX
Secretary/Treasurer Janet Sperstad, CMP-F
Faculty Director, Event Management Business Solutions
Madison College
Immediate Past Chairperson Carrie Ferenac
President
CNTV (Convention News Television)
Director Bilal Al Barmawi, CEM
CEO
1st Arabia Company Exhibitions and Conferences Organizers
Director Mary Bender
Vice President of Sales & Operations
Taffy Event Strategies
Director Mark Bogdansky
Vice President, Meetings & Events
Auto Care Association
Director Chuck Grouzard
Executive Vice President, Business Development
GES
Director Anytra Lowe, CEM
Senior Vice President, Client Services
Freeman
Director Justine L. McVaney
Senior Vice President of Event Planning & Operations
National Association of Broadcasters
Director Brian Pagel
Executive Vice President
EmeraldX
Director Necoya Tyson, CEM-AP, CGMP, CCEP
Director of Meeting Operations
CASSS – An International Separation Science Society
Ex-officio Directors are:
Representing the Chapter Leaders Council
Sarah Kokernot, CEM, CMP
Director of Meetings & Events
Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society
Representing the IAEE Asia Council
Xuebin Gu, CEM
Founder and CEO
WeMeet
Representing the IAEE MATSO Council
John Rozum
Senior Director, Ag and Utility Exhibitions & Events
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Representing the Past Chairpersons’ Advisory Group
Julie Smith, CEM-AP, CTA
Senior Vice President, Exhibition Sales
GES
Representing the IAEE Consumer Events Council
Michelle Metter
Partner
Fast Forward Event Productions
The announcement was made during Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2022 in Louisville, Ky. Click here for more details about the event.
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
