The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) named Jonathan “Skip” Cox a the 2017 KLI Legend of the Industry.

Each year, IAEE selects a KLI "Legend of the Industry" whose contributions, innovation and leadership truly have been unique and remarkable.

“I am truly honored to be named the IAEE Legend of the Industry for 2017,” Cox said. “I have been involved with IAEE and the exhibitions industry for the span of my career, and it is humbling to have my service to the industry recognized by IAEE and its board of directors.”

Cox joined Exhibit Surveys, Inc. in 1971 as Assistant Survey Director after graduating from Wittenberg University. In 1994, Cox became president of Exhibit Surveys, Inc. (ESI), and his research responsibilities were expanded to include overall management of the company.

In January 2005, Cox became CEO and sole owner of ESI. In May 2016, ESI was acquired by Freeman, where Cox continues to manage ESI as Freeman’s senior vice president of Research & Measurement.

Cox focuses strategically on client development and serves as the visible face of ESI in the marketplace. This affords him the opportunity to translate emerging needs of the industry into relevant research and the development of new diagnostic tools.

He also is heavily involved with the direct application of research and these new tools to enhance the strategic and tactical planning of many exhibition and event organizers, corporate brand marketers, and facilities.

Cox’s involvement with industry associations is extensive. He has served as the Chairperson of the International Association for Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Board of Directors and on the board of directors of the Corporate Events Marketing Association (CEMA) and the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR).

In the past, he served on the board of Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA). Recognition from these associations includes TSEA’s Chairman’s Award, CEMA’s Pinnacle Award and IAEE’s Chairman’s Award.

Cox is a frequent contributor of articles in various trade publications and academic journals serving the marketing and events marketing fields, and he has authored numerous white papers for the industry.

As a speaker, he has been invited to present the company’s research findings to annual meetings of virtually every major organization in the U.S. related to trade shows and events marketing (IAEE, PCMA, SISO, TSEA, HCEA, CEMA, NACS, EDPA and Exhibitor Show), as well as international associations (UFI in Europe and Asia, AMPROFEC in Mexico, Fairlink in Sweden, CAEM in Canada and EEAA in Australia). He also has conducted research for various CEIR-sponsored industry studies.