Issue link: https://tradeshowexecutive.epubxp.com/i/76788
POWER LUNCH BOB: When you took the helm of IAEE 20 years ago, what were your initial impressions of the association? STEVEN: Te National Association of Exposition Managers (NAEM), as it was called at that time, was in great distress. Everything about the organization re- flected the best practices of the 1950s, not the 1990s. I initially took the position in Indianapolis with the idea that I would turn it around in five years, then leave and return to Texas. BOB: The move to Texas happened soon after you started.? STEVEN: Yes, and legend has it that I engineered that move, but that's not true. At the first board meeting, former IAEE Chairman Lawson Hockman, vice president of association services for IMN Solutions, asked why the association wasn't headquartered in a major airline or association hub city. Te board subse- quently voted for the relocation. BOB: What were your initial thoughts on your new role in the trade show industry? STEVEN: I came into the job having served more than 20 years as an associa- tion event organizer but was ignorant of the overall industry. I found it to be quite dynamic and fascinating, and that has held my interest and passion for the last 20 years. BOB: What were your top priorities in the early years? STEVEN: Initial priorities were to broad- en the scope and impact of the association by expanding membership, including des- tinations and suppliers, and going interna- tional. Internally, the staff was in disarray and board members were performing staff functions, such as organizing the two conferences produced every year. Tree of my former staff members joined me in Indianapolis to assist, and we were able to turn things around and stop losing money in less than two years. BOB: Did you ever dream that you would guide it into the global enterprise it is now? STEVEN: We actively recruited interna- tional attendance for the first time at our 1994 annual meeting in Orlando. I hosted a dinner for international attendees, and there were eight of us at the table. If we did that now, there would be 350 or 400 participants. Our international growth has been fueled by reciprocity agreements with 22 similar global organizations, whereby we share research and benefits. SPONSORED BY BOB: How would you characterize your management style? STEVE: I've always tried to lead the or- ganization as if it were a small business, rather than a nonprofit group. Tis meant taking risks and doing unconventional things that associations would typically not consider. BOB: What was your finest moment on the job? STEVEN: Tat's a hard question, as there have been so many. Two that come to mind are the elections of Patricia Farias- Barlow, CEM, and now CEO for the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center as the first international chairman in 1999 and Jackie Russo, vice president at Kuehne & Nagel, as first supplier-member chairman in 2006. Tese were huge mo- ments in the evolution of this association. BOB: How have the demographics of IAEE's membership changed over the years? STEVEN: Tey have changed significantly, reflecting the changing population of this country and the world. Te average age of members has plummeted in each of the last 20 years. Te gender demographics have flipped as well: 20 years ago, it was 70% male, today it's 70% female. Tere's still great opportunity for us as an industry to improve our cultural and racial diversity. BOB: What experiences in your past career prepared you for IAEE? STEVEN: Without question, the experi- ence I accrued as the lead lobbyist for the Professional Insurance Agents of Texas was most helpful, not only to understand the dynamics of politics and the legisla- tive process, but also to be able to hone my skills as a communicator, negotiator and facilitator. You don't succeed as a lobbyist very long if you are not adept at all of those skills. BOB: How many countries The Voice of an Era. Steven Hacker has been a frequent speaker at exhibition industry events both at home and abroad. During his 20-year tenure at IAEE, he built the association into a leading voice for the exhibition industry and made him one of its most familiar figures. 36 July 2012 | Trade Show Executive have you visited on behalf of IAEE? STEVEN: I've actually never counted, but I've sent my passport back to the State Department three times in the last 15 years to add more pages. I have been to China 27 times and also had some Continued on page 38