APEX Event Network has launched as a nonprofit organization serving experienced professionals across the events, meetings, exhibitions, and experiential industries.
Based in Plano, Texas, the organization focuses on professionals with at least 20 years of industry experience. Its programs include career development, business resources, mentoring, education, peer connections, and support for professionals seeking new work opportunities.
APEX also serves companies, destinations, venues, media organizations, and service providers across the events industry.
“Experienced professionals have spent decades developing knowledge, relationships, and leadership skills that are enormously valuable to our industry,” said Tim McGuinness, managing director of Sterling Advisory Group and chair of APEX Event Network. “APEX was created to make sure that experience continues to be valued and leveraged — whether through a new career opportunity, consulting, entrepreneurship, mentoring or another way of contributing.”
Focus on later-career transitions
APEX developed its programs around the career and business needs of professionals who have spent decades in the industry. Those needs can range from finding another position to starting a consulting practice or building new technology skills.
“Career transitions can look very different after 20 or 30 years in the industry,” said Karen Vogel, CEO of Event Performance Group and vice chair of APEX Event Network. “Some professionals may want to reinvent their career by launching a consulting practice or business, where others need to learn AI and tech skills or find different ways to put decades of experience to work at their current job or a new role.”
Initially, APEX will offer a monthly webinar series covering career development, career transitions, entrepreneurship, and business growth. The first programs are scheduled for Oct. 28 and Nov. 6, 2026. Both will be free for members and nonmembers.
In addition, the organization plans to offer networking, career coaching, business growth services, and other professional resources.
Industry veterans lead organization
McGuinness chairs the APEX board, while Vogel serves as vice chair. Other board members include David DuBois, president of The DuBois Group and former president of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). Chris Brown, president of Level Up Event Strategies and formerly with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), also serves on the board.
Other members include Dan Cole, senior director of partner relations at eMerge Americas and founder of TSSNG Group; Jill Birkett, president of Escapades Together; and Joe Felperin, director of strategic business development at Popshap. Meeting planner Shelley Cohen Renn and BJ Enright, president and CEO of Tradeshow Logic, round out the board.
Membership is open to qualified professionals with at least 20 years of combined industry experience.
APEX Event Network is a Plano, Texas-based nonprofit organization founded in 2026. It serves experienced professionals across the events, exhibitions, meetings, and experiential sectors through career development, education, peer connections, mentoring, and professional resources. Membership is open to qualified professionals with at least 20 years of combined industry experience. For more information, visit apexeventnetwork.org.
Press release submitted by APEX Event Network. Edited by Exhibit City News for clarity, length, and style.
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