IAEE’s Expo! Expo! Attracts 2,300-plus Attendees in New Orleans

December 30, 2018

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting & Exhibition attracted more than 2,300 attendees representing 26 countries (pending verified audit) to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
 
“I cannot think of a better way to celebrate IAEE’s 90th anniversary than with the Expo! Expo! we had last week,” said IAEE President and CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA. 

He added, “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 kicked off Dec. 11 with preconference education, the Opening General Session and the CEM Class of 2018 Presentation. 

Lieutenant Gov. of Louisiana Billy Nungesser presented DuBois and attendees with a proclamation declaring last week Exhibitions and Events Week 2018. I

AEE recognized this year’s 304 graduates to date of the CEM Learning Program (international courses are pending), who joined the ranks of the more than 3,000 CEMs worldwide who have earned and maintained their designation.
 
Strategic futurist Nancy Giordano gave audience members a glimpse into the future of technology and business practices during her keynote presentation, followed by members being led to the trade show floor in true New Orleans style by a second line jazz band featuring Dancing Man 504. 

This year’s Expo! Expo! exhibition was the largest in 17 years, featuring a sold-out showfloor with 298 exhibitors in 41,400 net square feet of sold exhibit space and more than 15,000 sq. ft. of on-show floor education and networking activations. 

Attendees closed the evening at the Krewe Party Opening Reception where they enjoyed the spirit of New Orleans at Mardi Gras World.
 
The General Session featured entrepreneur Mandy Rennehan who energized and inspired audience members with her “respectfully uncensored” message of staying true to one’s creative and professional passions. 

The same day, attendees, along with founding sponsor GES, helped raise $16,000 at the 10th annual Humanity Rocks: A Celebration with a Cause held at the House of Blues New Orleans. 


Proceeds benefit Kingsley House, an organization that has served New Orleans since 1896 through its commitment to ensuring that individuals and families have the supports necessary to be successful at all stages of life.
 
The Annual Networking Luncheon and Awards Ceremony recognized graduates of the IAEE Robert L. Krakoff Leadership Institute, 20 Under 30 honorees, Platinum Circle inductees, winners of IAEE’s Art of the Show Competition, Helen Brett Scholarship recipients and Bob Dallmeyer Education Fund grant recipients. 

The recipients of IAEE’s individual awards were also honored with a special presentation.
 
August Robotics was announced as the winner of the second annual Tech Start Up Competition. 

This year, IAEE collaborated 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 aligns with IAEE’s objectives and to be featured at Expo! Expo! 2019 in Las Vegas.

Fifteen students submitted proposals and design, and the three finalists were featured on the Expo! Expo! show floor. 

A panel of judges from EDPA, Exhibitor Group and IAEE selected Kylee Beaver from Bemidji State University as the winner of this year’s competition, which was announced during the luncheon as well.
 
2018 IAEE Chairperson Daniel McKinnon, CEM recapped IAEE’s successes during the year, then passed the gavel to 2019 Chairperson Tom Cindric, Jr., CEM who discussed his vision for the coming year. Cindric emphasized the changing trade show model, increasing IAEE’s global presence, and the expansion of IAEE’s CEM Learning Program and Women’s Initiatives.    
 
Expociety, the closing event for Expo! Expo!, provided attendees with the perfect platform to further develop connections made at the event, as well as create new ones that will flourish at next year’s meeting. 

Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2019 will be held Dec. 3-5 in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
 

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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.