By Nicole Bowman, MBA, CEM
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) announced the retirement of David DuBois, CMP-F, CAE, FASAE, CTA, as President and CEO effective December 31, 2023.
DuBois has been with the association for 11 years, providing strategic insights and vision to propel the association forward while successfully leading the association through the recent pandemic. He will continue to lead the association through its strategic growth initiatives in 2023 and continue to build on his legacy of advancing IAEE’s mission and member community.
“IAEE is a large and diverse global association that represents a vast ecosystem, Dubois said. “I look 
forward to continuing to lead the exhibitions and events industry’s trade association and over the months ahead my goal is for IAEE to continue delivering valuable programs to our members and stakeholders globally.”
“We appreciate everything David has accomplished during his tenure at the association and are grateful for his leadership and service to IAEE members,” said IAEE Chairperson of the Board Dennis Smith. “The IAEE Board is following a well guided succession plan and committed to paving the direction forward with new leadership to position the association for future growth.”
The IAEE Board of Directors has retained SearchWide Global, a full-service executive search firm that specializes in C-level positions in the event, convention, travel, tourism, hospitality, trade association, venue management, and experiential marketing industries. The search for IAEE’s new President and CEO will begin with a detailed needs assessment led by SearchWide Global and will aim to publish the official position overview in late June.
Nicole Bowman, MBA, CEM, is Vice President, Marketing and Communications at IAEE.
