Show review
Expo! Expo! over easy in New Orleans
EW looks back at IAEE’s main ‘show for shows’ event last December
he International
Association of
Exhibitions and Events®
(IAEE) attracted 2,300
attendees representing 26 countries
to its 2018 Annual Meeting &
Exhibition in New Orleans before the
New Year.
The Expo! Expo! event, held at
the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial
Convention Center, also marked
IAEE’s 90th anniversary.
Association President and CEO
David DuBois said: “The diversity
in learning experiences offered,
combined with one of our largest
trade show floors ever and
outstanding networking events
in wonderful locations, provided
attendees with information and
resources that will serve them well in
2019 and beyond.”
IAEE’s annual conference was part
of the wider event and it recognised
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Issue 1
2019
the 304 graduates from the 2018 CEM Learning Program
(international courses are pending). They joined the ranks
of 3,000 CEMs worldwide.
The Expo! Expo! exhibition was the largest in 17 years
and featured a sold-out show floor with 298 exhibitors
taking 41,400 net square feet of space.
The Krewe Party Opening Reception immersed guests
into the spirit of New Orleans at Mardi Gras World.
Along with sponsor GES, guests raises $16,000 for
charity at the 10th annual Humanity Rocks: A Celebration
with a Cause held at the House of Blues New Orleans.
The Annual Networking Luncheon and Awards
Ceremony recognised graduates of the IAEE Robert L.
Krakoff Leadership Institute, 20 Under 30 honourees,
Platinum Circle inductees, winners of IAEE’s Art of the
Show Competition, Helen Brett Scholarship and Bob
Dallmeyer Education Fund grant recipients. The recipients
of IAEE’s individual awards were also honoured.
The second annual Tech Start Up Competition was won
by August Robotics.
IAEE also collaborated for the first time with the
Experiential Designers and Producers Association (EDPA)
in its first ever Student Design Competition. Students
from FIT and Bemidji State University were tasked with
developing an activation theme, space
and structure design, and pre- and
post-show audience engagement
ideas for a “brand activation” that
aligned with IAEE’s objectives and to
be featured at Expo! Expo! 2019 in Las
Vegas. Kylee Beaver from Bemidji State
University came out the winner.
The 2019 IAEE Chairperson Tom
Cindric, Jr., shared his vision for the
coming year and emphasised the
changing trade show model.
Other stated goals for the association
going forward were listed as
strengthening its global presence,
expanding the CEM Learning Program
and Women’s Initiatives.
Expociety, the closing event for
Expo! Expo! provided a popular
networking platform.
The show moves to Las Vegas in
2019, where it will run 3-5 December
at the Mandalay Bay Resort and
Casino.
w w w.exhibitionworld.co.uk