DALLAS — Since she joined the International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) 25 years ago, Lenay Gore has quietly and generously volunteered her time and effort, serving on almost every committee in the association at both the national and chapter levels. Now, as she transitions into retirement from her role as Senior Director of Meetings and Trade Shows with American Public Transportation Association (APTA), she has been named as IAEE’s 2022 Woman of Achievement.
The esteemed award — recognizing a woman who has led the way in the advancement of women in the exhibitions and events industry, exhibited outstanding leadership, and made significant contributions to the industry and her community — was presented during a luncheon last week at the IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum in National Harbor, Maryland.
“I am honored and humbled to receive the IAEE Woman of Achievement Award,” Gore said. “I have been fortunate to have an extraordinary career and I am grateful for the involvement with this wonderful industry. To my friends and colleagues in the trade show industry, I thank you all and IAEE for the support over the years. What a great way to start my retirement!”
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Gore has had a lengthy career in the exhibition industry, with more than 25 years on the supplier side.This included roles at the San Diego Convention Center, IEP (now PRG), GES, the Washington D.C. Convention and Visitors Bureau, and both Renaissance and Hilton Hotels, before her move to APTA in 2008 as the Director of Meetings and Conventions. She was promoted to her current role of Senior Director of Meetings and Trade Shows in 2016, leading a team responsible for six major meetings with exhibits and more than 35 smaller meetings each year. APTA’s triennial EXPO and annual meeting attracts more than 15,000 attendees. At IAEE, she served on the IAEE Services Board of Directors for many years, including a term as chairperson, and won the association’s Distinguished Service Award in 2009.
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Last year’s Woman of Achievement went to Rachel Wimberly, EVP of Business Development at Tarsus Group, US. Previous winners can be found here.
Reach Lenay Gore at lgore@apta.com
