Julie Smith, CEM-AP, CTA, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Global Experience Specialists (GES)

Julie Smith, CEM-AP, CTA, is senior vice president, business development, GES, where she manages a portfolio of business and GES’ West Coast business development team. Smith is a past chair of IAEE, a past president of ESCA, and a past chair of the CEIR board, and has served on many committees and the boards of these organizations. She was IAEE’s inaugural Woman of Achievement, and earned ESCA’s Lifetime Achievement award, among other honors. She is chair of the Event Industry Council’s APEX new business model working group and led the EIC COVID 19 business recovery working group that developed the B2B and B2C Exhibitions accepted practices guide. A frequent speaker and contributor, Smith also served as a mentor for SDSU’s School of Hospitality & Tourism graduate program; was previously on the boards of Visit Anaheim and Local 831’s Health & Pension trusts; and is a CEM faculty member who taught CEM courses in seven countries.