Industry Partners
The chief staff executives of key organizations involved in the convention and exhibition industry agreed that they would begin to meet regularly each year. Essentially, these five CEOs formed an alliance relationship that will explore opportunities for joint cooperation across a broad spectrum of common industry activities including safety and security, advocacy, education, industry affairs and best practices among others.
The group includes Larry Arnaudet, executive director, the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA); Jeff Provost, executive director, the Exhibit Designers & Producers Association (EDPA); David DuBois, president, The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE); Brad Mayne, president/CEO, the International Association of Venue Managers, Inc. (IAVM) and David Audrain, executive director, The Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO). When the Industry Coalition was formed in February of 2011, the group issued the following statement:
On behalf of the five organizations and the respective members that they represent, we are very pleased to announce the formation of what will be an effective working team dedicated to advancing the interests of all those who rely upon conventions and exhibitions. We believe the convention, exhibition and events industry is poised to take advantage of additional growth and development resulting from the continuing increase in global trade, the advance of new technologies and the heightened awareness of the unique power that face-to-face business communications delivers through events that our members produce, host, participate in and service.
This is a particularly appropriate time for us to begin a new and exciting era defined by our mutual support and collaboration for and with each other. We are confident that the results of our work together will present those represented with significant new opportunities.
Current Industry Partners
The Exhibit Designers and Producers Association (EDPA), founded in 1954, is an internationally recognized national trade association with more than 300 corporate members from 18 countries that are engaged in the design, manufacture, transport, installation and service of displays and exhibits primarily for the exhibition and event industry.
Its purpose is to provide education, leadership and networking for the advancement of its members and the exhibition industry. In addition to providing regional industry education programs through its six chapters, EDPA organizes one annual meeting, tradeshow and golf tournament in a resort location for industry members and their suppliers. EDPA holds quarterly board meetings, publishes a printed quarterly newsletter, monthly electronic newsletter and membership directory. EDPA also hosts several industry awards, educational surveys and supports the EDPA Foundation.
Organized in 1928 as the National Association of Exposition Managers to represent the interests of trade show and exposition managers, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ is today the leading association for the global exhibition industry. Today IAEE™ represents over 8,500 individuals who conduct and support exhibitions around the world.
In this section, you’ll learn about IAEE™ and the various subsidiaries that make up the organization. You may also join the association online by clicking on To Join IAEE™ where you’ll find detailed info about IAEE’s membership categories.
Representing public assembly venues from around the globe, IAVM’s active members include managers and senior executives from auditorium, arenas, convention centers, exhibit halls, stadiums, performing arts centers, university complexes, and amphitheaters.
Member venues represent huge expenditures of public and private funds. They attract millions of patrons to an astonishing variety of events from football to basketball, baseball to hockey, from rock concerts to conventions, conferences to ballets…the list is almost endless.
IAVM counts more than 500 Allied companies among its members. These companies provide products and services used by managers. Through their IAVM membership, Allied members are able to present their products to this vast market.
In 1990, twelve independent show organizers met to discuss how they could meet with some frequency to discuss industry trends, opportunities and the differences between for profit and not for profit issues that affected the way they could improve their companies’ ability to succeed. It was at this first meeting that The Society of Independent Show Organizers was formed and has been dedicated to meeting the needs of the for-profit show organizer through networking, the exchange of ideas and experiences, and the ability to learn from each other in a non-competitive and candid environment.
SISO members include companies, corporations and other for-profit entities that own, produce or provide full service management of “face to face” trade shows, consumer shows, expositions, conferences and /or similar events as a substantial part of their business. SISO membership is a combination of large corporations and small entrepreneurial enterprises that do business primarily in North America, as well as in Europe, Asia, Africa, India, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. SISO’s more than 150 members produce over 2,700 events, creating an overall $122B impact on the global economy.
SISO’s Mission, is to meet the common needs of our members, by providing peer networking opportunities, education, industry information, streamlined business processes and best practices in the industry.
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance ensures that policymakers understand and support the important role that face-to-face business events have on economies, job creation, and supporting small businesses.
ECA is led by Co-Presidents David Audrain, CEM, CEO of the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO®) and David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA, President and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE).
UFI is the leading global association of the world’s tradeshow organisers and exhibition centre operators, as well as the major national and international exhibition associations, and selected partners of the exhibition industry.
UFI’s main goal is to represent, promote and support the business interests of its members and the exhibition industry. UFI directly represents around 50,000 exhibition industry employees globally, and also works closely with its 67 national and regional associations members.809 member organisations in 82 countries and regions around the world are presently signed up as members.
More than 921 UFI approved (International) events proudly bear the UFI approved label, a quality guarantee for visitors and exhibitors alike. UFI members continue to provide the international business community with a unique marketing media aimed at developing outstanding face-to-face business opportunities.
