IAEE welcomes 2011 chairman, congratulates CEM grads

The International Association of Exhibitions and EventsTM (IAEE) recently announced the results of this year’s election to its board of directors. At the Annual Business Luncheon on December 9 as part of Expo! Expo!, IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition, 2010 Chairman Chris Meyer, CEM, CMP will pass the gavel to incoming chairman, Vinnie Polito, who will serve through 2011.


Polito is president of VP International. He has more than 20 years’ experience in senior leadership positions and has been involved in all facets of the trade show industry. Most notably, Polito worked for the privately held INTERFACE Group as a divisional vice president, working on the COMDEX brand as well as many other brands. He was a senior vice president for Reed Exhibitions, a publicly held company, where he ran a portfolio of several events for nine years. In addition, Polito has also played an active role in several acquisitions.

During his career, he has also had two international postings and launched events on five continents. This experience provides a unique global perspective on the future of the trade show industry.

“I’m excited for my term as chairman of IAEE,” Polito says. “This is a progressive and important time for the trade show and events industry. In 2010, we have rebounded strongly from the economic slowdown of 2009, and I look forward to continued and sustainable growth in 2011.”

Other members of the 2011 IAEE board of directors are:
Chair-Elect Doreen Biela, CEM;
Secretary/Treasurer Robert Kolinek, CEM, CMP, president and CEO of Helen Brett Enterprises Inc.;
Immediate Past Chair Chris Meyer, CEM, CMP, vice president of Sales for the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority;
Thomas Cindric, Jr., CEM, group director for Hanley Wood Exhibitions;
Jonathan “Skip” Cox, president of Exhibit Surveys, Inc.;
John Galante, president of AE Ventures;
Jennifer Hoff, CEM, president of Events for National Trade Productions, Inc.;
Jo-Anne Kelleway, CEO of Info Salons International Pty Ltd;
Jim Kelley, director of Global Accounts, PRG – Production Resource Group LLC;
Tony Lee, vice president of Meetings & Expositions for the Craft & Hobby Association;
Jason McGraw, CTS, CAE, senior vice president of expositions for INFOCOMM International;
Joe Popolo, CEO of Freeman;
Gary Sain, president & CEO for the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau;
Julia Smith, CEM, vice president of National Sales for Global Experience Specialists (GES);
Ryan Strowger, CEM, director of Business Development for the Consumer Electronics Association/CES;
Megan Tanel, CEM, vice president of Exhibitions for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers;
Nancy Walsh, executive vice president for Reed Exhibitions;
David Weil, CAE, senior director at SmithBucklin Corporation.

The IAEE Board also includes ex-officio members including:
Carrie Freeman Parsons, vice chair of Freeman, representing the Center for Exhibition Industry Research;
John Patronski, executive vice president of Global Experience Specialists (GES) representing the Exhibition Industry Foundation;
Edward Liu, managing director for CEMS and chairman of the IAEE Asia Exhibition Council;
Paul Schweitzer, vice president of Business Development for Marketplace Events representing the IAEE Public Events Council;
Manolita Moore, annual conference director for the Western Veterinary Conference, representing the IAEE Robert L. Krakoff Future Leaders Institute;
Bliss Beasley, CEM, executive vice president of American Exhibition Services LLC representing the IAEE Services Council;
Kimberley Gishler, executive director for the Computer Event Marketing Association representing the International Center for Exhibitor and Event Marketing;
Steven Hacker, CAE, president of IAEE.

Members of IAEE’s Board of Directors are elected on an annual basis by the official voting member of each IAEE member company. All officers serve a term of one year, except the Secretary/Treasurer who holds office for two years. The directors are divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, each to serve three years in staggered terms to ensure continuity in the governance of the association.

The IAEE is also proud to congratulate the 2010 graduates of its CEM Learning Program. This year’s recipients of the Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) designation were recognized during the Opening General Session and CEM Class of 2010 Presentation to held December 7 during Expo! Expo!

The program yielded 155 graduates; 49 from the U.S., seven from Canada, 17 from Mexico, 16 from Korea and 59 from China.

In 2010, the first CEM certifications have been granted from Portugal, five graduates, and Spain, two graduates. To date, the CEM Learning Program has certified approximately 600 graduates.

IAEE congratulates staff members Scott Craighead, director of conventions and events and Kimberly Castanuela, convention manager for attaining their CEM designation in 2010.

“I am proud to present this year’s graduates with their CEM certification in New Orleans next week,” said Cindy Ferguson, 2010 CEM commission chair. “The hard work and dedication that it takes to achieve and maintain this designation is indicative of the strength of the exhibitions and events industry.”

The CEM designation, created in 1975, is recognized globally throughout the exhibitions and events industry as the premier mark of professional achievement. Participation in the program offers an opportunity to secure the most relevant and practical education available in exhibition and event management.

Programming is conducted globally through IAEE’s network of licensees. In the United States, candidates may select nine of the 11 courses offered that they feel would assist them most in their career. These courses and their corresponding examinations must be completed within three years in order to obtain the CEM designation.

The complete 2011 CEM Learning Program schedule is available online at www.iaee.com.