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Expo! Expo! 2009
IAEE’s annual meeting & exhibition
a great success in Atlanta
LVCVA vice president Meyer takes helm among many highlights
DALLAS — The International Association of Exhibitions and Events celebrates another successful Expo! Expo!
Despite the lingering effects of the global economic recession, IAEE's Annual Meeting & Exhibition held 8-10 Dec. 2009 in Atlanta, Ga., attracted nearly 1,800 attendees (pending independent audit by Exhibit Surveys) and 269 exhibitors.
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Comments from attendees at this past year’s Expo! Expo! |
During the Opening General Session, annual meeting host Dale Irvin welcomed attendees and introduced 2009 Chair Margaret Pederson. The session honored the 211 graduates of the 2009 CEM Learning Program as well as the seven recipients of the 2009 IAEE individual awards, the 2009 Platinum Circle inductees, graduates of the 2009 Robert L. Krakoff Future Leaders Institute, and the recipient of the 2009 Exhibition Industry Foundation's Helen Brett Scholarship. Attendees then enjoyed the festivities at the Georgia Aquarium, where they admired the world's largest aquarium while networking and mingling.
The Art of Social Media Marketing on Wednesday, Dec. 9 engaged attendees in the ever-expanding role of social media and its effect on how business is conducted.
 The Atlanta Drumline led attendees to Expo! Expo! with a rhythmic parade through the halls of the Georgia World Congress Center. Expo! Expo! featured nearly 39,000 net square feet of sold out exhibit space. Approximately 60 percent of the net square feet for next year's exhibition set for December 8, 2010 in New Orleans, La. will be reserved in an online space draw on 10-11 February 2010.
Wednesday evening featured Humanity Rocks: A Celebration with a Cause, held at The Tabernacle. A collaboration between IAEE and GES, this spectacular event offered guests the opportunity to network with other industry professionals while giving back to the local community.
Camp Sunshine, offering programs for children with cancer, received a $7,375 donation from the event's proceeds.
Chris Meyer, CEM, CMP, vice president of sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, assumed the role of 2010 IAEE Board Chair at the annual business meeting and luncheon on Dec. 10. At that time Meyer shared his goals for IAEE's future, including:
- Point Number 1: "Value the concept of face-to-face."
- Point Number 2: "Invest in education for all members of our association."
- Point Number 3: "Tell a Friend."
The chairman's closing party that evening at the newly transformed Atlanta Marriott Marquis electrified guests, including the color changing 50-foot sail illuminating the world's largest atrium.
IAEE's annual conference featured 12 versatile tracks, including the new TS2 Intensive Track, with more than 50 speakers and sessions over a three-day event. Attendees were given a wide range of topics to learn about, including industry best practices, sales and marketing, and global business and technology applications, in addition to Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) courses. Expo!
Expo! IAEE's Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2010 will be held Dec. 7-10 in New Orleans, La. at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Visit www.iaee.com/expo for more information as it becomes available.
[Jan. 26, 2010]
IAEE Expo! Expo! attendance
verified higher than first thought
DALLAS — IAEE Chairman of the Board Chris Meyer, CEM, CMP, (vice president of Sales, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority) today announced that 1,916 individuals attended Expo! Expo! 2009 in Atlanta. Attendees came from 55 nations.
 The audited numbers exceed on-site estimates and are based upon an independent attendance verification audit conducted by Exhibit Surveys, Inc. of New Jersey. The audit was conducted in compliance with the requirements of attendance audits promulgated by the Exhibition and Event Industry Audit Commission (EEIAC). Steven Hacker, CAE, president of IAEE points out that it is not unusual for an organizer's estimates of attendance to be below actual verified attendance "because on-site activity can easily distort pre-registration numbers. This is a prime example of how independently audited data can add value to events like Expo! Expo!"
Meyer noted that "despite the worst year in the modern history of the exhibitions and events industry, the fact that our attendance was just 56 fewer than attended the prior year in Miami Beach is a testament to the resiliency of our industry and to the enormous importance our members place on attending the annual meeting each year."
According to data reported in the attendance audit of the exhibition/event organizers attending, 19.9 percent described their job position as senior executive; 9.6 percent vice presidents; 18.8 percent directors and 22.1 percent managers. Julie Anderson, CEM, CAE, Director of Exhibitions for IAEE observed, "the high quality of IAEE's attendees expressed in their unique buying authority is one of the reasons why our trade show has been as successful as it has been. It's all about the buyers."
The group also reports that 54.7 percent of the events they produce are trade shows (business-to-business); 15.8 percent are public events (Business-to-Consumer); 2.6 percent are fairs; 5.8 percent proprietary corporate events; and 14.6 percent are hybrids (trade shows and public events).
Among those who attended 12.6 percent joined IAEE in the preceding 12 months and 26.2 percent were attending for the first time. Richard Maples, senior vice president of Shepard Exposition Services, and sponsor of the Annual First-timers event at Expo! Expo! offered that "numbers like these confirm our belief that IAEE is doing a terrific job of attracting new and important members to the association. Shepard is delighted to be associated with their welcome and orientation to Expo! Expo! each year.
Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition takes place Dec. 7-9 in New Orleans.
Since 1928, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) continues to provide 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.
Through the 2006 consolidation with the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), IAEE delivers valuable industry research reports. IAEE also supports IAEE Services, the IAEE Public Events Council, The International Center for Exhibitor and Event Marketing, and the Exhibition and Event Industry Audit Commission, which are IAEE councils that provide products, programs and information to members. IAEE recognizes its strategic partners: American Airlines, ASP, Inc., Bearcom, IEG, Mexico Tourism Board, Orange County Convention Center and Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Visit www.iaee.com for more information.
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