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Higher attendance and positive atmosphere marked Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting & Exhibition, held in December in Las Vegas, Nevada by International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). The show attracted nearly 2,500 attendees (pending independent audit by Exhibit Surveys) and 280 exhibitors, an increase over the 2006 event.

At Expo! Expo!, 2007 Chairman Jeff Price passed the gavel to incoming Chairman Randy Bauler, CEM, Corporate Relations & Exhibits Director for the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. "I am honored to serve as IAEE's 2008 Chairman, and to represent the dynamic organizations and talented professionals in the exhibition and events industry," said Bauler. "Our industry has an amazing success story to tell, and I pledge my best efforts to spread that  story and to build on the strong foundation created during the past 80 years by many dedicated industry leaders."

A member of IAEE since 1988, Bauler earned the "Certified in Exhibition Management" (CEM) designation in 2001 and was elected to IAEE's Board of Directors in 2004. He served as the then IAEM Southwest Chapter Chairman in 2001 and served on the Chapter's board 1997-2002, and again in 2005.

One of the reasons for the upbeat outlook at Expo! Expo! was the announcement by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) that data collected for the annual CEIR Index report revealed that show revenues continued to flourish in the third quarter of 2007 with an overall growth of 5.8 percent over the third quarter of 2006. Year-to-date revenue rose 9.7 percent when compared to the same time period in 2006. In addition to this promising growth figure, attendance grew 11.8 percent. The other third quarter numbers for 2007 compared to 2006 are Net Square Feet up 1.4 percent and Exhibitors up 0.3 percent. Earlier in2007, the CEIR Index reported the exhibition industry grew 4.8 percent in 2006 over 2005 levels, just slightly below the 5.8 percent gain posted by the industry in 2005 versus 2004, but marking the fourth consecutive year of industry growth.

 The Opening General Session & Awards Ceremony kicked off the annual meeting. After Jeff Price welcomed attendees, the session honored the 151 graduates of this year's CEM Learning Program as well as the 13 recipients of this year's IAEE individual awards, including the 2007 Platinum Circle inductees and the recipients of the Exhibition Industry Foundation's Helen Brett Scholarship.

Another highlight was the 60 Second Showcase, where presenters entertained and informed audience members about their featured products and services at Expo! Expo! Highly-acclaimed entertainers, The Water Coolers, closed the session after which attendees proceeded to the opening party at the Mandalay Bay Casino & Resort.

Expo! Expo! featured more than 41,100 square feet of sold out exhibitor space at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.  For an exclusive photo gallery of additional Expo! Expo! action, click here!

The 2007 Expo! Expo! included the Main Event, where IAEE members were able express their views and ask questions about the association with IAEE President Steven Hacker, CAE as well as Price and Bauler, in a Town Hall format. Tuesday was also China Friendship Day, recognizing the expansive role and relationship that IAEE enjoys with member organizations and others in the People's Republic of China, an event highlighted by the announcement that SMG was awarded the management contract for the new China National Convention Center.

Expo! Expo! featured more than 41,100 square feet of sold out exhibitor space at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

More than 50 educational programs featuring key industry leaders were conducted. Attendees were given a wide range of topics to learn about including industry best practices, marketing and securing sponsorships, in addition to Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) courses.

One of the central industry events of this annual meeting is the announcement of new members of the IAEE Board of Directors. Members of IAEE's Board of Directors are elected on an annual basis by the official voting member of each IAEE member company. All officers serve a term of one year, except the Secretary-Treasurer who holds office for two years. The directors are divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, each to serve three years in staggered terms to ensure continuity in the governance of the association.

  Some of the new IAEE Board of Directors include: Bob Kelley, CEM, CMM, senior vice president of business development for Meeting Consultants Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia; Jim Kelley, director of sales for ICAT Logistics in Elkridge, Maryland; Jason McGraw, senior vice president of expositions for INFOCOMM International in Fairfax, Virginia; Chris Meyer, CEM, CMP, vice president of convention center sales for the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority in Las Vegas, Nevada; Immediate Past Chairman Jeff Price, executive vice president of Freeman in Dallas, Texas; Jack Buttine, president of John Buttine Exhibition Insurance in New York; Brian Casey, CEM, president of High Point Market Authority in High Point, North Carolina; Jonathan "Skip" Cox, president of Exhibit Surveys, Inc.  in Red Bank, New Jersey; Jennifer Hoff, CEM, COO for National Trade Productions Inc. in Alexandria, Virginia; and Robert Kolinek, CEM, CMP, president/CEO for Helen Brett Enterprises Inc. in Lisle, Illinois; and Jeffrey Quade, executive vice president of sales & marketing for GES Exposition Services in Las Vegas, Nevada.