The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has appointed its 2016 board of directors, it announced today.
Serving as 2016 board chair is Aaron Bludworth (pictured), CEO of Fern. He will be joined by the following fellow officers:
• Vice Chair: Steve Moster, CEO, VIAD and President, Global Experience Specialists (GES);
• Secretary/Treasurer: Bob Priest-Heck, President and COO, Freeman; and
• Immediate Past Chair: Britton Jones, President and CEO, Business Journals Inc.
"I am honored to have been selected to serve as the chair of such a great industry organization. CEIR does so much for the exhibition industry and having served on the board for many years, I realize how important it is to give back," Bludworth said. "Fern is one of many organizations that support CEIR both financially and through volunteer leadership because CEIR research is a crucial tool for business growth. I anticipate a very rewarding year leading our board of directors."
New members to CEIR's board of directors are:
• Marian Bossard, Senior Vice President, Global Market Events, Toy Industry Association Inc.;
• Chris Meyer, Vice President, Global Business Sales, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority; and
• Nancy Walsh, President, North America, Reed Exhibitions.
Finally, continuing on the board are:
• David Audrain, President and CEO, Exposition Development Company Inc.;
• Tony Calanca, Executive Vice President, UBM Advanstar;
• Karen Chupka, Senior Vice President, International CES & Corporate Business Strategy, Consumer Technology Association;
• Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes, President and Chief Account Strategist, mdg;
• Justin Hersh, President and CEO, Group Delphi;
• Stephen Lieber, President and CEO, HIMSS;
• Michael Marchesano, Managing Director, American Business Media (SIIA);
• Timothy McGill, CEO, Hargrove Inc.;
• Serge Micheli, Executive Director. Canadian Association of Exposition Management (CAEM);
• Steve Moore, President and CEO, Visit Phoenix;
• Deborah Long Sexton, President and CEO, Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA);
• Julie Smith, Senior Vice President, National Sales, GES; and
• Ryan Strowger, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions, Conferences, and Sales, International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA).
"In 2016, CEIR will focus on continued improvement and delivery of data and research that has been so important to the promotion and improvement of the exhibition industry. The completion of our redesigned website will help enhance our users' experience and offer more functional search capabilities in order to better access research of interest," said CEIR President and CEO Brian Casey. "CEIR will also focus on further improving our already best-in-class senior-level Predict Conference, which is scheduled to be held in Washington, DC, at the Reagan Center on Sept. 14-15. I am looking forward to working with such a strong leadership group in furthering CEIR's overall mission."
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