IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum Held in Baltimore with Great Success

Rachel Wimberly of Tarsus Group Named 2021 IAEE Woman of Achievement

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) hosted more than 100 attendees at its signature Women’s Leadership Forum held 22-23 September 2021 in Baltimore, Md. The two-day event featured sessions tailored to meet the needs of women at all stages of their career.

“This event offers a meaningful experience to participants in search of relatable content that can be immediately applied to their career goals, regardless of what those may be,” said IAEE Executive Vice President & COO Cathy Breden, CMP, CAE, CEM. “This year’s speakers once again delivered valuable insights and timely information that was met with great enthusiasm from attendees.”

Sessions presented at this year’s Women’s Leadership Forum included the following (click here for more details):

  • Embarking on a Permission Mission: Giving Yourself the OK to Succeed
  • Navigating Conflict: How to Advocate for Yourself and Be Heard
  • Stories, Not Statistics: Using Emotional Intelligence to Transform Multi-Generation Team Success
  • Blazing Trails and Creating Pathways: Personal Insights on DE&I
  • Define Your Beauty: Harnessing the Power of Your Personal Uniqueness

The program also included the announcement of Rachel Wimberly, Executive Vice President of Business Development for Tarsus U.S., as the recipient of the 2021 IAEE Woman of Achievement Award. She started her career after graduating from New York University with a Master’s in Journalism and landing her first job writing at CNN Business News in New York for “Moneyline with Lou Dobbs,” and international updates. From CNN, she moved to Santa Fe, N.M. and wrote business news for The New Mexican, before transitioning from news to film.

After a move to Los Angeles, Wimberly led feature film development for Riche-Ludwig Productions and Eagle Cove Productions, and worked on six feature films with a first-look deal at Warner Brothers. Journalism’s siren call lured her back to working for The New York Times in North Carolina, writing on troop movements during the Iraq War. Back in Los Angeles, she continued her journalism career as a reporter for Variety magazine covering entertainment news, before taking a position as senior editor for Tradeshow Week magazine.

Once TSW closed in 2010, she joined Trade Show News Network (TSNN.com), where she launched six newsletters and websites under the TSNN brand, as well as the www.CorporateEventNews.com and, more recently, a weekly newsletter. She has transitioned once again with her recent appointment as Executive Vice President of Business Development, Tarsus U.S. for TSNN’s parent company, Tarsus Group. In addition to IAEE, Wimberly is a member of the Society for Independent Show Organizers and UFI, The Global Association for the Exhibition Industry.

“Rachel is one of today’s most inspiring and motivational female leaders in the trade show industry and IAEE community,” noted IAEE Awards Committee Chairperson Kellie Shevlin, CEM, Executive Director, Craft Beverage Expo. “As an editor at TSNN, she used her position to spotlight the best women in the industry, often highlighting woman business leaders and giving them a platform to talk about their successes and challenges in the trade show industry. In fact, her entire career is a testament to her ability to get things done.”

“I am beyond honored to be given the 2021 IAEE Woman of Achievement Award,” commented Wimberly. “I absolutely love this industry, and to be recognized by my fellow colleagues who I admire so much means a lot. IAEE has always been at the forefront of supporting women – thank you for all that you do!”

IAEE extends a special thank you to the partners of this year’s IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum:

Diamond Partner
VisitDallas

Emerald Partners
GES
Synchronicities

Ruby Partners
Maritz Global Events
Orange County Convention Center
Visit Orlando®

Pearl Partners
CORT Events
Evessio
Projection Presentation Technology
Visit Indy

Supporting Partner
Smart City

Breakfast Experience & Table Partner
Destination Toronto

AV Partner
Projection Presentation Technology

Furniture Partner
CORT Events

Health Services Screening Partner
Fern Health Check powered by ShareMy.Health

Hotel Partner
Hilton Baltimore

Photography Partner
Oscar & Associates

Registration Partner
Evessio

Signage Partner
GES

Venue Host Partner
The Baltimore Convention Center

Video Partner
CNTV

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 and Snöball. Visit www.iaee.com for more information.

Mary Tucker
Sr. Communications & Content Manager | IAEE
+1 (972) 687-9226
mtucker@iaee.com

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