Associations: One for Every Industry Niche
Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 1/2/2006
No matter what segment of the exhibition industry you're part of, or what corner of the globe you're in, there's an association that represents your interests and offers education, networking and services to make it easier for you to conduct business. Here's a list of the most significant organizations:
U.S.-basedAmerican Hotel & Lodging Assn.
Comprises state and city lodging associations; provides the U.S. lodging industry with advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information
• Contact: Joseph A. McInerney, president and CEO, (202) 289-3100
Assn. for Convention Operations Management
Involved in operations aspects (as opposed to sales and marketing) of convention services management; prepares and educates operations managers in the industry
• Contact: Lynn McCullough, CEO, (609) 799-3712
ASAE & the Center
Offers education and certification programs, publications, research and information, public policy and public relations activities to association executives
• Contacts: John Graham, ASAE president and CEO, (202) 626-2741; Susan Sarfati, president and CEO of the Center and executive vice president of ASAE, (202) 326-9526
Center for Exhibition Industry Research
Produces primary research studies on exhibitions as a marketing medium; findings are incorporated into a targeted, ongoing promotional campaign
• Contact: Doug Ducate, president and CEO, (312) 527-6735.
Computer Event Marketing Assn.
Initially focused on serving event marketing professionals in the information technology sector; has evolved to represent the interests of marketing communications professionals in the industry
• Contact: Erika Brunke, executive director, (512) 310-8330
Convention Industry Council
Umbrella organization that facilitates information exchange among industry groups, develops programs to promote professionalism and educates the public on industry's economic impact
• Contact: Mary Power, president and CEO, (703) 610-9030
Destination Marketing Assn. Intl.
Association of the destination management profession, including convention and visitors bureaus; conducts research, and provides education and strategic planning for members
• Contact: Michael Gehrisch, president and CEO, (202) 835-4219
Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Assn.
Dedicated to raising service levels on the showfloor; represents and supports the interests of exhibitor-appointed service contractors and other exhibit service suppliers
• Contact: Jim Wurm, executive director, (541) 317-8768
Exhibit Designers & Producers Assn.
Provides education, leadership and networking for those engaged in the design, manufacture, transport, installation and service of displays and exhibits for the exhibition industry
• Contact: Peter Dicks, executive director, (404) 303-7310
Exhibition Services & Contractors Assn.
Clearinghouse for exchange of information between members, primarily service contractors, and the tradeshow and convention industry
• Contact: Susan Schwartz, executive director, (702) 319-9561
Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Assn.
Members are exhibit and show managers in the health care industry; aims to improve the effectiveness of all conventions, meetings and exhibitions in that industry
• Contact: Eric Allen, executive vice president, (404) 252-3663
Intl. Assn. for Exhibition Management
The primary association for those involved in all aspects of producing exhibitions; acts as their resource and works to promote the value of exhibitions and events
Contact:• Steven Hacker, president, (972) 458-8002
Intl. Assn. of Assembly Managers
Represents public assembly facilities from around the globe; includes managers, senior executives and suppliers of convention centers and exhibit halls, as well as a variety of entertainment and sports venues
• Contact: Dexter King, executive director, (972) 906-7441
Meeting Planners Intl.
Positions meetings and events as strategic components of organizations; offers professional development and networking opportunities, professional and technological resources, strategic partnership benefits and discounted business services, and peer-to-peer interaction via chapters
• Contact: Colin Rorrie Jr., president and CEO, (972) 702-3000
Natl. Assn. of Consumer Shows
Represents those involved in the production of consumer exhibitions
• Contact: Mike Fisher, executive director, (503) 253-0832
Professional Convention Management Assn.
Delivers education to international membership of meetings professionals; promotes the value of professional convention management
• Contact: Deborah Sexton, president and CEO, (312) 423-7262
Religious Conference Management Assn.
Interfaith organization for planners and managers of meetings, tutorials, conferences, conventions and assemblies for religious organizations; aims to enhance professionalism of its members and improve the experience of religious meeting attendees
• Contact: DeWayne Woodring, executive director and CEO, (317) 632-1888
Society of Independent Show Organizers
Provides forum for for-profit owners and senior-level operators of tradeshows, conferences and expositions; gives them an opportunity to increase profit and growth through peer support, strategic positioning, networking, educational programs, research studies and communications
• Contact: Mary Beth Rebedeau, executive director, (708) 361-0900
Trade Show Exhibitors Assn.
Industry voice for exhibit and event marketing professionals who use exhibits to promote and sell their products, and to those who supply them with products and services; provides education, advocacy, promotion, communication, service, and member discounts on products and services
• Contact: Stephen Schuldenfrei, president, (312) 842-8732
Overseasassn. of exhibition organisers
Represents companies that develop, manage, market, sponsor, supply or service trade exhibitions and consumer events, primarily in the United Kingdom but, increasingly, around the globe
• Contact: Trevor Foley, group chief executive, (44-14) 4287-3331
AUMA (the Intl. Assn. of the German Trade Fair Industry)
Represents the German trade fair industry, informs exhibitors and visitors about foreign trade fairs, supports international marketing of German organizers, and coordinates German participation at foreign fairs
• Contact: Herman Kresse, CEO, (49-30) 24-0000
Canadian Assn. of Exposition Management
Canada's national association of professional tradeshow producers and industry suppliers; represents, promotes and improves the country's exposition industry
• Contact: Debbie Wilson, executive director, (905) 678-9377
Intl. Exhibition Logistics Associates
Global association of international exhibition freight forwarders; enhances professionalism of the transportation logistics and freight handling segments of the exhibition industry
• Contact: Hans Brauchli, executive director, (41-22) 920-0119
Mexican Assn. of Professionals on Fairs, Expositions & Conventions (AMPROFEC)
Represents the Mexican exhibition industry
• Contact: Jose Antonio Rodriguez, executive director, (52-55) 5273-1103
UFI — the Global Assn. of the Exhibition Industry
Serves tradeshow organizers, fairground owners, international exhibition industry associations and their partners
• Contact: Vincent Gerard, managing director, (33-14) 267-9912
