The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) honored this year’s graduates of the IAEE Robert L. Krakoff Future Leaders Institute during Expo! Expo!, IAEE’s Annual Meeting and Exhibition on Dec. 8-10 in Atlanta.
Fifteen individuals participated in the Future Leaders Institute held Sept.12-14 at The Breakers Palm Beach in Palm Beach, Fla. that was sponsored by Champion Exposition Services. Erick Burton, CSP, president of Burton Resources facilitated the Future Leaders Program.
Burton is known as the “The Leadership Accelerator” and has partnered with hundreds of corporations and associations as a professional speaker, facilitator, executive coach and author. The program focused on the unique skills and thinking patterns that are vital for leadership. A key component of the institute was the Legend of the Industry portion of the program, which allowed the future leaders to spend one-on-one time with a current leader selected by IAEE staff. This year’s legend was Donald S. Freeman, Jr., chairman of Freeman in Dallas. He shared his extensive industry experience with participants during an informal after-dinner engagement.
The 2009 Institute graduates were John Abbott, Lynne Anderson, Lauren Bauer, Raymond Baum, Jenny Burr, Evan Garvey, Christie Greenleaf, Sun He, Iain Mackenzie, Brian Manoogian, John Mikstay, CEM; Melissa Ooi, Karen Pogatch, CEM; Judilynn Sunden, CEM, and Tanisha Ward.
Upon the institute’s conclusion, one candidate was selected to serve in the Robert L. Krakoff seat on the IAEE board of directors. The purpose of the seat is to provide an ex-officio role for a future leader whose participation on the board will provide valuable input and whose unique views and values reflect the interests of the younger members of IAEE. This year’s selection was John Mikstay, CEM, manager of event audit for BPA Worldwide. His one-year term became effective at Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting and Exhibition 2009.
In addition, each institute participant was matched with a mentor, a current industry leader whose responsibilities will be to provide support and guidance. Each of the future leaders also will be invited to play a role in IAEE, either at the chapter level or as part of an IAEE task force committee or subcommittee.
More information about the IAEE Robert L. Krakoff Future Leaders Institute, sponsored by Champion Exposition Services, can be found at IAEE’s Web site at www.iaee.com.
