The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) is a trade association established to promote the growth and expansion of the exhibition industry. This includes professionals who organize, conduct, and support trade shows, exhibitions, meetings, and events at large public venues. This chapter is the Central Texas chapter serving cities such as Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and in-between. IAEE was founded in 1928 as the National Association of Exhibition Managers to represent the interests of trade show and exhibition managers. IAEE now represents show organizers who conduct the largest trade shows and exhibitions in the world, as well as managers of 71 percent of U.S. shows that consist of 30,000 square feet or more. IAEE accomplishes its mission through education and advocacy programs that serve over 1,400 member companies comprising approximately 8,000 individual memberships in 46 countries, in addition to hundreds of individuals, partner vendors, and service organizations that have business interests in the exhibition industry. Members of IAEE enjoy many important benefits; all are designed to advance members' knowledge and skills. IAEE uses many channels to communicate with its members, including the IAEE Insider, IAEE News and Industry Report, the organization's newsletter distributed weekly, and the IAEE Newslines, the organization's four, quarterly e-zines. Each year, members convene at IAEE's showcase events: the Midyear Meeting and Expo! IAEE's Annual Meeting and Exhibition. Through the 2006 consolidation with the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), IAEE delivers valuable industry research reports. IAEE has been very active in the state and federal affairs arena of the U.S. and is pro-active in international affairs relating to trade show and exhibition issues. Professional certification of members is provided by the Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) Learning Program. IAEE is led by a Board of Directors comprised of exhibition organizers and industry suppliers. IAEE is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, USA.
