IAEE Names Jonathan “Skip” Cox 2017 KLI Legend of the Industry

August 7, 2017

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) named Jonathan “Skip” Cox a the 2017 KLI Legend of the Industry.

Each year, IAEE selects a KLI "Legend of the Industry" whose contributions, innovation and leadership truly have been unique and remarkable.

“I am truly honored to be named the IAEE Legend of the Industry for 2017,” Cox said. “I have been involved with IAEE and the exhibitions industry for the span of my career, and it is humbling to have my service to the industry recognized by IAEE and its board of directors.”

Cox joined Exhibit Surveys, Inc. in 1971 as Assistant Survey Director after graduating from Wittenberg University. In 1994, Cox became president of Exhibit Surveys, Inc. (ESI), and his research responsibilities were expanded to include overall management of the company.

In January 2005, Cox became CEO and sole owner of ESI. In May 2016, ESI was acquired by Freeman, where Cox continues to manage ESI as Freeman’s senior vice president of Research & Measurement.

Cox focuses strategically on client development and serves as the visible face of ESI in the marketplace. This affords him the opportunity to translate emerging needs of the industry into relevant research and the development of new diagnostic tools.

He also is heavily involved with the direct application of research and these new tools to enhance the strategic and tactical planning of many exhibition and event organizers, corporate brand marketers, and facilities.

Cox’s involvement with industry associations is extensive. He has served as the Chairperson of the International Association for Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Board of Directors and on the board of directors of the Corporate Events Marketing Association (CEMA) and the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR).

In the past, he served on the board of Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA). Recognition from these associations includes TSEA’s Chairman’s Award, CEMA’s Pinnacle Award and IAEE’s Chairman’s Award.

Cox is a frequent contributor of articles in various trade publications and academic journals serving the marketing and events marketing fields, and he has authored numerous white papers for the industry.

As a speaker, he has been invited to present the company’s research findings to annual meetings of virtually every major organization in the U.S. related to trade shows and events marketing (IAEE, PCMA, SISO, TSEA, HCEA, CEMA, NACS, EDPA and Exhibitor Show), as well as international associations (UFI in Europe and Asia, AMPROFEC in Mexico, Fairlink in Sweden, CAEM in Canada and EEAA in Australia). He also has conducted research for various CEIR-sponsored industry studies.
 

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Dallas already boasts 35,000 hotel rooms, award-winning global cuisine, and a walkable downtown. But we are just getting started. Visit Dallas is thrilled to announce that the city of Dallas is doubling down with a massive new convention center and entertainment district. Featuring 800,000 square feet of exhibit area, 260,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and 170,000 square feet of ballroom. The center will connect business travelers with dining and shopping options in the popular Cedars District means more places to get down to business, and even more ways to unwind. “Dallas is already a great meetings and conventions destination, with the accessibility of two major airports, affordable labor, and an outstanding hotel product,” said D. Bradley Kent, Visit Dallas senior vice president and chief sales officer. “The new center and Convention Center District will enhance Dallas’ competitive position and are exactly what our customers’ need and have been asking for." What’s New – AT&T Discovery District Located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, this new district on the AT&T corporate campus is tailor-made for groups of all sizes. It boasts a multi-sensory experience, including outdoor event space, the AT&T Theater, and multiple dining outlets including JAXON Beer Garden and The Exchange, a bustling food hall. Hotels Coming Soon Names like the JW Marriott (Downtown), lnterContinental Dallas (Uptown), and Hotel Swexan (Uptown) are adding luxury amenities and bountiful event spaces. The projects will debut in 2023 and beyond. JW Marriott This new, 15-story, 283-room hotel will open in the heart of the city’s downtown Arts District this year. The property features a 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom, as well as a spa, restaurant, lobby bar, fitness center, and a rooftop pool deck and bar. InterContinental Dallas  Located in Cityplace Tower in Uptown, InterContinental Dallas will feature sweeping panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. Guests will enjoy spacious, high-end rooms and amenities, including more than 21,000 square feet of event space.   Hotel Swexan Hotel Swexan, a new, 22-story luxury property, is rising in Uptown’s Harwood District and will make its mark on the Dallas skyline. Opening this year, it is a sculptural building with cantilevered upper floors, as well as a 75-foot rooftop infinity-edge swimming pool and a hidden underground lounge.