Rumors recently had been swirling about the fate of the Trade Show Exhibitors Association, but now the organization’s fate has been sealed with its board voting to transfer its members, intellectual assets and administrative management to the Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Association.

 Pending final approval of this agreement by TSEA’s members, the organization will be dissolved and a newly named umbrella industry association will be formed under the leadership of EACA’s Executive Director Jim Wurm.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for greater visibility and advocacy for our members in the exhibit industry,” Wurm said.

He added, "By having both exhibitors and their contractors under the same organization, we can work together to better serve the industry and to advocate for the issues members most need. And, although our current organization’s names will change, our values will not.  Our members’ priorities will always be those of the new association.”

TSEA’s future has been in question as of late, especially after the TS2 trade show, which it had sold to National Trade Productions in 2004, but still collocated its annual meeting with, was canceled last year and no dates had been set for it to return this year.

In addition, the association was said to be losing members and going through a tough financial period, though it continued on with day-to-day operations, including planning a robust program for its Red Diamond Congress last year and more events this year.

Now that TSEA and EACA have combined, active EACA and TSEA members will have member privileges in the new organization.   

As part of the transfer, the EACA will acquire all TSEA members, their corresponding member data and all branding, financial records, education and advocacy content and initiatives, and any related marketing assets, according to EACA officials.

Next steps for TSEA members are they will receive e-mail notification that outlines the new and improved membership structure and the terms of the asset transfer.   

Once the agreement is ratified, EACA will begin the transition to the new association name.    

Under this new plan, TSEA members will not only receive all member values they previously had, but also they will be able to take advantage of the suite of member tools on the new association Web site, including social media tools, online forums, survey tools and self-provisioned member profile management, according to EACA officials.

The new association will also continue its plans for the 2012 Red Diamond Congress, as the association’s primary annual event.

EACA will make information available as soon as possible through its Web site, according to EACA officials. In the meantime, both TSEA and EACA members can contact EACA with questions.