Whose Mission Is the Nonprofits?

Whose mission is it anyway — the Society of Independent Show Organizers' or the Intl. Assn. of Exhibitions and Events' (née IAEM, née NAEM)?

It was over 15 years ago that then-rookie NAEM President Steven Hacker and I flew to New York on a cold winter night to have breakfast with two of the SISO founders. Our mission was to search for common ground and to attempt to convince them that a united group was a stronger and more meaningful philosophy than a split constituency.

They were determined to charge forward and had little interest in what we had to say. We failed in our mission and left the meeting disappointed that we could not make them understand that NAEM was there to meet the needs and passions of independent for-profit show producers.

At the same time, I had full respect for their opinions and their position regarding UBIT (Unrelated Business Income Tax) and other issues facing for-profit producers that were not bothering nonprofits. Although, I believed then and I believe today that IAEE does get the job done and done well, on these and newer issues.

Now ratchet to today. The landscape has changed with the many large, well-funded and powerful for-profit show organizers, most belonging to SISO and IAEE. Over these years there have been attempts to work together, albeit a challenging exercise, and even an attempt at merger. There has mostly been failure.

Let me mention, I am not and never have been a member of SISO. Why? Not just out of loyalty to IAEE. I felt it redundant to my business to belong to an organization that cannot provide the full menu of services I required to grow and prosper my company while at the same time not delivering any value substantially different than that provided to me by IAEE.

This is not to say that I don't respect SISO and what they stand for. I do. In fact, I have been honored to be a guest speaker at two or three of their meetings. However, the mission of SISO represents only a small segment of the mission of IAEE. The programs and networking that take place at SISO also happen at IAEE.

But then, this is not about a comparison of the two. It is about value. In today's world of constant cost-shaving, budget-cutting and narrower margins, the idea of belonging for the sake of it did not appeal to me.

Now, SISO has announced they are inviting nonprofits to attend one of their meetings. This is truly hypocrisy. There is no valid reason for SISO to transgress on the mission of IAEE. It is not an organization designed or equipped to provide the academics, skill training or overall industry preparation that IAEE can and does provide.

This move is nothing more than a "land grab." It is about revenue. It is about profit. SISO is now courting that same group that represented disdain to them. OK, so they are "for profit" people, but this doesn't mean attack whomever to get what you want. Where is the integrity? It is very disappointing to me that SISO has headed down this path.

It is unfortunate they could not be as aggressive about merging with IAEE and finding that common ground that would unite our industry, and give us one voice representing all show organizations. Strength in numbers is an old saying that is still very valid today.

I am sorry to say, SISO, you have never received my money and now you have lost my respect.