CAEM Set for Annual Meeting
By Margo McCall -- Tradeshow Week, 6/6/2005
The Canadian Assn. of Exhibition Management expects members who show up for the annual meeting to get energized — and a little wet.
The CAEM Conference, themed "Generating Energy," is scheduled to draw 150 Canadian show managers and suppliers to the Sheraton on the Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario, June 18–21.
A highlight of the meeting will be Expo-X, an exhibition from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on June 19. CAEM Executive Director Debbie Wilson said 40 suppliers so far have signed up to exhibit.
Professional speaker Linda Edgecombe will lead sessions on changing perspectives, leadership and team development. Jim Gray, principal of Media Strategy, will talk about crisis communication and Jay Aber, president of e-mail broker 24/7, will discuss how organizers can use the Web to draw attendees.
Steve Prahalis, president of Reed Exhibitions Canada, is slated to share information on developing a vision to support change. Prahalis is a former Key3Media Group vice president who also spent eight years with Canadian show producer ITCS.
Shawn Pierce, Hanley Wood Exhibitions' director of infrastructure, is scheduled to offer advice on using new technologies to draw attendees. Pierce was the architect of ADAPT!, a Hanley Wood database tool in use by more than 50 events.
Second-day sessions will be held on boosting sales performance, selling sponsorships and managing staff.
During a roundtable exchange, delegates will have the opportunity to discuss industry issues, such as strategic alliances, finding good staff, adding value to attract attendees, balancing life and work and attendee marketing for tradeshows and consumer events.
Besides conference sessions, the CAEM meeting will give attendees a chance to partake of the tourist town's attractions. On June 19, after cocktails and canapes at the Hard Rock Club, participants will have an opportunity to ride the famed Maid of the Mist to the base of the falls, followed by dinner and dancing.
After the following day's sessions, participants can choose from golf at the Whirlpool Golf Club, a tour of two Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries or a whitewater boat ride along the Niagara River.
Another feature of the annual gathering is separate breakfast meetings for show managers, associates and facilities. The event will wrap up with an evening at the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort.
