Inside IAEE’s Vision for 2025
January 20, 2025
Since stepping into her role as President and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) in December 2023, Marsha Flanagan has hit the ground running. With a focus on innovation, community building, and sustainability, she is setting ambitious goals for the association in 2025.
In this exclusive Q&A with TSNN, Flanagan shares her vision for IAEE, outlines key initiatives, and discusses how the association is adapting to meet the evolving needs of its members and the exhibitions industry.
Vision for IAEE in 2025
Tormohlen: As you step into 2025, what is your overarching vision for IAEE, and how do you see the association evolving to meet the needs of its members and the exhibitions industry?
Flanagan: In 2025, we will focus on addressing global concerns and advocating for the exhibitions and events industry, while embracing innovation and technology to drive progress. Our priorities include cultivating talent, fostering community, and shaping the event landscape. Internally, we will continue enhancing our processes to ensure efficiency and finalize the integration of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) as a department, aligning our efforts for greater impact and collaboration.
Key Priorities
Tormohlen: What are the top three priorities for IAEE this year, and how do you plan to address emerging challenges and opportunities within the exhibitions and events sector?
Flanagan: IAEE is prioritizing support for organizers in healthcare and also those who produce smaller to mid-size shows. Another top focus will be on the processes involved with bringing CEIR in as a department of IAEE to streamline efforts and strengthen the industry. CEIR will launch the Organizer Benchmarking Survey and the Symphony BI tool to provide valuable data insights and business intelligence, helping event organizers optimize strategies and make informed decisions. A final priority is the further implementation of our digital strategy to enhance operational efficiency, improve member experiences, and streamline data integration across platforms.
Innovation and Growth
Tormohlen: How does IAEE plan to foster innovation and growth within the exhibitions industry, particularly in areas like technology integration and sustainability?
Flanagan: IAEE plans to foster innovation and growth within the exhibitions industry by offering tech demo days to showcase advanced solutions, promoting technology integration to enhance event experiences, and advancing sustainability initiatives through resources and best practices for environmentally responsible operations. IAEE is committed to advancing sustainability initiatives by encouraging environmentally responsible practices and equipping members with tools and resources to align with sustainability goals. IAEE will also leverage CEIR research, as CEIR research plays a crucial role by providing data-driven insights into industry trends, attendee behaviors, and emerging technologies. These findings help exhibitions and events professionals identify new opportunities, adapt to evolving market demands, and implement best practices that drive innovation, improve experiences, and enhance operational efficiency.
Membership Engagement
Tormohlen: What strategies are you implementing to deepen engagement with IAEE’s diverse membership and ensure their voices are reflected in the association’s initiatives?
Flanagan: IAEE is deepening membership engagement by focusing on personalized outreach, providing new tailored educational programs for new groups previously mentioned, and fostering a strong sense of community through chapters and international leadership opportunities. IAEE is actively involving members in shaping initiatives by soliciting feedback, encouraging participation in industry forums, and ensuring that diverse voices are represented in decision-making processes and events.
Expo! Expo! Evolution
Tormohlen: With Expo! Expo! being a flagship event for IAEE, how do you envision it evolving in the future to remain a must-attend event for industry professionals worldwide?
Flanagan: At Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition, we will continue to experiment with new ideas and innovations, even if they don't always work, as we strive to push the boundaries of what's possible. As the flagship event for IAEE, we envision Expo! Expo! evolving by embracing emerging technologies, offering more interactive and immersive experiences, and continually addressing the needs of the exhibitions community, ensuring it remains a must-attend event for industry professionals worldwide.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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