LAS VEGAS – The 2020 Board of Directors of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) officially took their seats at Expo! Expo!, vowing to keep the association on a focused path to expanding its role in the global trade show industry.
Bob McLean, Executive Vice President of the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), was on stage at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center to officially accept the role from Tom Cindric, President of Exhibitions at Winsight, LLC who will now step into the role of Immediate Past Chairperson.
“My goal as incoming Chairperson is to advance IAEE’s global growth initiatives,” McLean said. “Our members and industry have become more international and I want to ensure that IAEE is the first place that these professionals turn to for new connections, knowledge, and advocacy.”
McLean joined PPAI in 2008 as CFO following a successful executive career with companies of various sizes. He was promoted in 2011 to his current position, which includes responsibility for PPAI Expo and the association’s membership and trade show departments. He achieved the Chair of the IAEE Board one year after serving as Chair of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR). “I want to increase the visibility and usage of the valuable research that CEIR produces,” McLean said.
The other board officers included Incoming Chairperson Carrie Ferenac, President, CNTV (Convention News Television), and Secretary/Treasurer Yulita Osuba, Deputy Director of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
The IAEE Board also welcomed four new members:
- Jennifer Heinold, Senior Vice President, Events, Access Intelligence LLC
- KV Nagendra Prasad, COO, Hyderabad International Trade Exhibition Centre (HITEX Exhibition Centre)
- Brian Scott, CIO, Experient, a Maritz Global Events Company
- Christopher Harar, President, NTP Events, National Trade Productions Inc.
- Members of the IAEE Board are elected to three-year terms on a staggered basis in order to ensure a level of continuity. The returning Board members include:
- Marie Browne, Group Vice President, LaunchPad, Reed Exhibitions
- Chuck Grouzard, Executive Vice President, Exhibition Sales, GES
- Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes, President and Chief Account Strategist, mdg
- Buffy Levy, Director, Event Services, SmithBucklin Corporation
- Tim McGuinness, Staff Vice President Global Expositions, International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
- Justine McVaney, Senior Vice President Event Planning and Operations, National Association of Broadcasters
- Dennis Smith, Consultant – Event Strategy, Elevate Event Strategies
- Janet Sperstad, Program Director, Meeting and Event Management, Madison College
Expo! Expo!, the annual meeting of IAEE, enjoyed a triumphant run Dec. 3-5 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The next edition of Expo! Expo! takes place at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville Dec. 8-10, 2020.
Reach Bob McLean at (972) 258-3085 or bobm@ppai.org.
