Williams’ 25 years of experience at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center leads to governance role at International Association of Exhibitions and Events
submitted by Jennifer Crockett, on behalf of the NOENMCC
NEW ORLEANS –The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) is proud to announce its Senior Director of Sales and Event Services, Elaine Williams, CMP, CEM-AP, will serve on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). IAEE is the largest association in the exhibitions and events industry, with its membership organizing and hosting more than 20,000 exhibitions worldwide.
Williams joins 16 other board members and nine ex-officio members comprised of international business executives, entrepreneurs, top event directors and the leaders of multiple associations spanning auto care, hotels, nonprofit professional societies, public charities and private foundations.
“Elaine’s election to the IAEE Board of Directors puts her talents right where they belong – alongside international events innovators and business leaders,” said Michael J. Sawaya, Convention Center President and CEO. “This group defines the future of our industry and delivers thoughtful guidance to usher its members forward. Elaine’s experience over 25 years at the Convention Center has prepared her to represent this international organization with the distinct leadership, operational and sales insight, and events expertise this post demands.”
Williams began her career at the NOENMCC in 1996 as a sales manager for ARAMARK and joined the Convention Center’s sales team in 2007 as a national sales manager. Promoted to her current role as director of sales in 2013, Williams drives business growth, oversees revenue generation and ensures successful event experiences through every stage, from planning to execution.
Williams continuously seeks out opportunities to explore new aspects of the industry and advance her professional development, becoming a well-known and respected industry leader. She was awarded the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation from the Events Industry Council in 2005, earned a Certification in Exhibition Management (CEM) in 2015, completed her CEM-AP (Advanced Professional) in 2021, and was nominated for the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Supplier of the Year award in 2022. With her impressive background, Williams was asked to contribute to the 2018 book “Professional Sales and Selling, a Guide for the Hospitality Industry.”
As a member of IAEE’s Board of Directors, Williams will use her vast experience to help the association evaluate new technologies and practices that will guide positive change in the global meetings and events industry.
“This is an exciting opportunity to inspire international innovation in the events industry and I plan to dive right in,” Williams said. “With the accomplished leaders elected to serve with me, this board will diligently work toward a common goal – igniting a robust and innovative future for face-to-face meetings, events and exhibitions. I can’t wait to get started.”
In addition to her newly elected position on IAEE’s Board of Directors, Williams also serves on the Board of Governors for the International Association of Venue Managers’ (IAVM) Senior Executive Symposium.
For more information about NOENMCC, please visit mccno.com.
About the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC)
New Orleans is Built to Host! With 1.1 million square feet of prime exhibit space on one level, all under one roof, NOENMCC is the sixth largest Convention Center in the United States and provides the largest single exhibit space in the country. NOENMCC is a 2023 IAVM Venue Excellence recipient and is consistently named a regional top workplace by The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. Our recent LEED Gold certification makes NOENMCC the largest LEED-certified project in Louisiana and the largest convention center project in the U.S. certified under LEED v4.1 Operations and Maintenance, as well as the first convention center in the world to be awarded initial certification under LEED Gold v4.1 O+M. A leading contributor to the city’s robust tourism economy, NOENMCC event activity has produced $90.1 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening.
