DALLAS—Executive Vice President and COO Cathy Breden, CMP-F, CAE, CEM will step into the role of Interim CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), effective October 1, while the organization continues its search for a permanent replacement for departing President and CEO David DuBois, CMP-F, CAE, FASAE, CTA.
The IAEE Board of Directors is working with SearchWide Global—an executive search firm that specializes in C-level positions in the business events industry—to assist with the search. Once the new President and CEO has been chosen, Breden will return to her current role while assisting with the transition, until she retires in June of 2024. Breden also serves as the CEO of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR).
“With 28 years of service to IAEE, there was no question in the minds of the Board of Directors who the best person would be to lead the association as we continue the search for a new President and CEO,” 2023 IAEE Chairperson Dennis Smith, Vice President of Business Development, Asian American Hotel Owners Association, said. “Cathy not only possesses vast knowledge about the organization, but is a highly regarded authority of our industry.”
Related. David DuBois Appointed President and CEO of Exhibitor Group
Breden began her association management career in 1984 and has served as a member of several boards of directors, as key staff contact, chief staff executive, volunteer leader and consultant, in addition to serving as Immediate Past Chairperson of the Events Industry Council Board of Directors.
Breden earned the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 1990 and became a CMP Fellow in 2019. She earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 1995 and Certified in Exhibition Management® (CEM) designation in 2019. She graduated from Florida State University with a Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Association Management.
“It has been an honor to serve IAEE for nearly three decades and be a part of how it has grown,” Breden said. “I am excited for the future of the organization as it enters a new era and look forward to seeing how it continues to evolve.”
Reach Dennis Smith at (404) 816-5759; Cathy Breden at (972) 458-8002 or cbreden@iaee.com
