Well, there goes 2011. A better year in many ways than 2010 for the events industry and one that was capped off in fine style by the recent Expo! Expo! event by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) in glittering Las Vegas.
By all accounts it went well, despite some niggles over certain session formats and some scantily clad showgirls. More than 2,200 professionals from the industry attended the show at the Las Vegas Convention Center and there were 266 exhibitors. 2011 IAEE Chairman Vinnie Polito opened the event with a recap on the past year, highlighting accomplishments and pushing the value of face-to-face meetings alongside the IAEE’s new, forthcoming PR drive to boost the whole events and exhibitions sector throughout the next year and beyond. Read ‘Events Industry Raises $1 Million for PR Push’.
From what we have gathered, the shows Education tracks were a resounding success, with 11 different streams, featuring more than 130 speakers and 50 sessions over the three days. Topics covered everything from attendee experience development and e-Merge technology to exhibitor solutions, global business development, marketing, operations and professional development.
What may have been less successful was the IAEE’s use of Vegas showgirls – at least with the female attendees – who numbered close to half, according to one commentator. Many of them thought they detracted from the professionalism of the rest of the event. Overall, though, the IAEE’s show brought 2011 to a successful close.
Here’s to a stronger 2012.
Happy holiday and best wishes for the New Year from your events industry blog, Best in Show.
Last month we covered news that the events industry was going on a PR offensive to generate awareness about the value of exhibitions on business and commerce. Read 
The world might becoming virtual with an increasing number of online business-to-business (B2B) and social tools and services out there but, most marketing folk, still rate trade shows and events as the best way to build new customer relationships.
How long can conventions centers hold out against offering free Wi-Fi to visitors?
In 2012, the world’s eyes will be fixed on London and the Olympic Games and, among other things, whether any other sprinter has a chance in hell of catching sprinting superman, Usain Bolt.
In an unprecedented move, four of the most important exhibition and events associations have announced their intention to band together in an effort to define industry best practices.
Anyone who’s anyone in the meetings and exhibition sector will be heading to Baltimore in a couple of weeks for the new AIBTM event on Jun 21-23. It stands for the Americas Meeting and Events Exhibition and it’s the first large scale show to bring together the world’s meetings and events industry in one U.S. location.
Questions?