Issue link: https://tradeshowexecutive.epubxp.com/i/76788
SPONSORED BY Hacker Steven LEADING TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE AT IAEE FOR 20 YEARS Steven Hacker, CAE, is president & CEO of the International Asso- ciation of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). After 20 years at IAEE's helm, he'll step down when his contract expires September 30. Under his direction, IAEE has grown from a small, domestic association to a global enterprise serving 1,400 organizations with 8,800 individual members in 59 nations. He has become the chief spokesperson and advocate for promoting the value of face-to-face events to the media and local, state and federal policy makers. In 2006, the Center for Exhibition Industry Re- search (CEIR) was consolidated with IAEE. Since then, Steven has taken a lead role in assisting CEIR in producing original research and learning resources for all segments of the indus- try. The IAEE Annual Meeting & Expo! Expo! attracted 2,200 trade show professionals to a sold-out 37,600 net square feet of exhibits in Las Vegas in December 2011. Steven is an avid photographer and is passionate about driving his Porsche Box- ster. He and his wife, Evelyn, are long-time Texas residents and currently live in Dallas. BY BOB DALLMEYER, TSE columnist www.TradeShowExecutive.com | July 2012 35 Photo by Reuben Mendiola, Mendior Photography