CHICAGO — David DuBois, CAE, CMP, FASAE, CTA, CMP Fellow, will retire from the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) effective Dec. 31, 2023. DuBois has served as the association’s President and CEO for 11 years.
Over the years, DuBois played an integral role in leading IAEE by providing insights and vision for moving the association forward. He led IAEE through the pandemic and was, and continues to be, a strong advocate for the trade show and exhibitions industry. As the association prepares for his departure, DuBois will continue to lead IAEE through the rest of 2023 with its strategic growth initiatives and advancing IAEE’s mission and community for members.
“The legacy that I hope stays with me as I go forward in my career is my brand of trust, collaborating and delivering on promises,” DuBois said. “When I leave IAEE I want people to say, ‘I trusted him, I still do and he’s one of the best collaborators,’ which is something I’ve always wanted to do. The best boss I ever had once told me don’t make any promises you can’t get delivered. And that’s something I remind my staff many times a month, because that’s integrity.”
Prior to IAEE, DuBois served as President and CEO of the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chief Operating Officer for Meetings Professionals International (MPI), Executive Director for the MPI Foundation, and President/CEO and Senior Vice President at the Professional Convention Management Association. He also served as Volunteer Chairman for the Convention Industry Council (now Events Industry Council) in 2015. He was inducted into the Events Industry Council Hall of Leaders in 2019 for his exceptional tenure as a leader for the industry.
Dubois leaves IAEE bigger and better, even through the pandemic, from when he took it over in 2012. DuBois said, “I’m proud to have put IAEE on the global map; I helped start the India and Mexico chapters of IAEE. And another legacy I am proud of is I’m leaving the best staff IAEE ever had. I’ve been so blessed with the successes in my career so far.”
Related. David DuBois, IAEE’s Chief “Collaboration” Officer
During his 47-year career, DuBois has fostered professional relationships with those at the companies and organizations he’s worked at, as well as with those he’s collaborated with over the years.
“David brought a breath of fresh air and energy to IAEE when he began at IAEE 11 years ago,” Cathy Breden, CMP-F, CAE, CEM, IAEE’s EVP/COO, said. “His values aligned with mine – transparency, collaboration and valuing the great IAEE staff. He has personally empowered me to grow in my role with IAEE and CEIR. In fact, he has empowered his staff to do great things. While I’m sad that he will be retiring from his role at IAEE, I am sure he is not done. I will miss him as my work partner but am honored to have him as a friend.”
DuBois plans to continue working in the trade show and exhibition industry. He will pass the baton to the next President of IAEE at the association’s annual Expo! Expo! the first week of December in Dallas.
“I will not be retiring from the industry; I will be retiring from IAEE in December. I do that with a smile on my face and full support of the Board of Directors and my staff. I’m leaving very proud, and I hope some people will say I’m leaving a good legacy from the 47 years I’ve been in this industry.”
Every month, Dubois has provided insights and commentary in IAEE’s Perspectives column in Trade Show Executive Magazine. As an important TSE partner and industry leader, he’s discussed topics ranging from IAEE’s Expo! Expo! to DEI and reflections on the year and looking to what’s ahead.
The IAEE Board of Directors retained SearchWide Global for the search for the association’s new President and CEO. The search will begin with a detailed needs assessment, and SearchWide Global and IAEE aim to publish the official position overview in late June.
Reach David DuBois at ddubois@iaee.com; Cathy Breden at cbreden@iaee.com
