EEIAC to Meet at TS² to Spread the Auditing Gospel
Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 2/27/2006
The Exhibition and Event Industry Audit Commission will hold one of its two annual meetings at the Trade Show Exhibitors Assn.'s TS2 — Where Trade Shows and Corporate Events Begin.
The commission board will meet at the July 25–27 event in Chicago and its chairman, IDG World Expo CEO David Korse, will present a session during the show on auditing's value for exhibitors.
The EEIAC was formed two years ago as the result of an Intl. Assn. for Exhibition Management task force on audits to help set industry standards. It is also the independent body that certifies audit standards for the exhibition industry.
"TS2 is the gateway to exhibitors. We wanted to get the word out about EEIAC, and collocating at TS2 will do so, increasing awareness among exhibitors and educating them about their rights to audits and their right to demand them," said Bob Harar, board member and chairman of Natl. Trade Productions, which produces TS2.
Harar doesn't think the collocation will lead to an increase in TS2 attendance. "We're looking at it long-term, and as value added for TS2. It's a great opportunity to educate exhibitors about the need for auditing, and to encourage them to become advocates for it."
Harar said the commission plans to organize future sessions on auditing, which should generate more TS2 attendance. They are also considering how many shows they would like to see audited in three years.
Korse said that the collocation would be a good opportunity to reach exhibitors, as well as show managers, and educate them on how audits can allay skepticism about tradeshow metrics.
He advised show managers, "Don't wait until exhibitors ask for audits; otherwise they'll vote with their feet."
