The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has announced that Patricia Farias-Barlow, CEM, has been selected as the 2012 “Legend of the Industry” for this year’s IAEE Krakoff Leadership Institute, to be held May 30 – June 1, 2012, at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C., as part of IAEE’s Mid-Year Meeting.
The Krakoff Leadership Institute provides professional development for a group of industry professionals who were selected by the Krakoff Leadership Institute Committee as the industry’s future leaders based on their application and extensive review.
“Being selected as this year’s Legend of the Industry is an enormous honor, and I am extremely excited to be part of this essential program that guides our industry’s promising leaders,” said Barlow. “Having served as the IAEE Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2000 and knowing the emphasis the association puts on developing leaders, I am thrilled to have this opportunity to engage with tomorrow’s leaders, collaborate and collectively learn about their outlook and thoughts for the future.”
Each year, IAEE selects a “Legend of the Industry” whose contributions, innovation and leadership have been truly unique and remarkable. An informal setting then allows each participant face-to-face interaction with this industry leader.
Patricia Farías-Barlow, CEM, is CEO of the Puerto Vallarta Convention Center, where she also oversees the Estero El Salado, a natural protected area that includes one of the most important wetlands in the area. She is also president and CEO of Farias Global Expos, a Mexico City-based independent show organizer and consultant.
During her nearly 30-year career in the industry, she has organized over 150 shows in various industries such as telecommunications, computer technology, internet, electronic banking, machine tools, security, oil & gas, hospital equipment, food, distance education, restaurant, instrumental controls, real estate and education. Presently, she is the official representative of Messe Dusseldorf for Mexico and serves various clients in Mexico and Latin America on diverse issues pertaining to international affairs, show management issues and training as well as consulting for various venue building projects in the region. Before founding her trade show company in 1983, she worked in various branches of marketing for eight years. In view of her success, she has been called to organize and consult for events abroad, in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile and Argentina.
Previously, she served as COO of Cancunmesse, in Cancun where the COP16 UN meeting was held in 2010. She was also CEO of Centro Banamex in Mexico City, CEO of Fapezal Exposiciones and Agora Internacional and president of Reed Exhibition Companies for Mexico. She is also the CEM coordinator for Mexico and is faculty for the program. Under her coordination, 142 students from Mexico have acquired their CEM designation.
She has considerable industry experience as founding president of the Mexican Association of Trade Show Managers (AMOFE, now AMPROFEC). She was president of the Mexican Chapter of the International Women’s Forum (IWF), the first woman and Mexican Board member of the Latin American Trade Show Organizers Association (AFIDA), was Chairman of the International Committee and the Nominating Committee of IAEE, served on the Board of Directors as its first foreign member and was the first non-U.S. chairman for IAEE in 2000.She served on the Board of MPI Mexico Chapter and was a member of the International Task force for IAAM in 2001. She has served on the Board of Directors of IAEE Services, Inc., the Audit Committee, the awards committee, and is presently on the nominating committee and CEM commission and of IAEE.
She is listed in Who’s Who – Mexican Women and Who’s Who – Mexico. She was named one of the 25 Women to Know in Tradeshow Week in 2003 as well as one of the Global Movers and Shakers for the same publication in 2005. She was listed as one of the 10 people who shaped the industry in 2005 by Destinos y Convenciones magazine, amongst other recognitions. Her awards include the IAEE Chairman’s Award in 1987, the Distinguished Service Award in 2005; Special recognition for her outstanding Career was given to her by AMPROFEC in 1992 and again in 2007. She is also the recipient of the “Jim Davie” Merit Award by Destinos y Convenciones in 2007. She was awarded an Honorary CEM for her contribution to the program in 2008 by IAEE. She is a continual speaker on various themes about the Exhibition Industry in Mexico, Latin America, USA, Asia and Europe.
