IAEE Mid-Year 2025 Update: Strengthening Community Amid Industry ShiftsIAEE Mid-Year 2025 Update: Strengthening Community Amid Industry Shifts
IAEE President & CEO Marsha Flanagan highlights the organization's comprehensive response to the exhibition industry’s evolving challenges through enhanced data offerings, workforce development initiatives, global partnerships, and advocacy efforts aimed at building a more resilient future.
As we reach the midpoint of 2025, the exhibitions and events industry continues to experience evolving challenges. The latest Q1 CEIR Index shows overall performance at 8.9% below 2019 levels, with exhibitor participation down sharply by 19.1%. Despite this, nearly half of all events have now surpassed their pre-pandemic benchmarks and net square footage occupied has fully recovered, exceeding 2019 by 1.9%. These mixed signals highlight an industry in transition – resilient but facing headwinds.
While market conditions have softened, our focus on community, collaboration, and learning at IAEE remains as strong as ever. Here’s a snapshot of what the first half of 2025 has brought and what members can look forward to.
Data and Insights Powering Organizers
With CEIR becoming a part of IAEE as its official research division, we are enhancing our data offerings. The new CEIR Index Dashboard gives members interactive access to up-to-date industry metrics, enabling smarter, data-driven decisions. Our soon-to-launch Organizer Benchmarking Study series will provide specialized reports tailored to small, mid-sized, large, healthcare, and independent shows. Together with the CEIR Index, these resources offer a comprehensive toolkit to assess show performance and identify growth opportunities.
Workforce Development and Professional Growth
Recognizing the critical need to attract and develop talent, the Exhibitions Industry Collective has launched a nationwide workforce initiative. By partnering with schools and universities, this program educates students on rewarding careers in event planning, marketing, logistics, and more. A ready-to-use toolkit supports industry professionals in delivering consistent, impactful presentations.
IAEE also released an updated “Skills Matrix and Job Descriptions” publication, which outlines 12 essential competency areas, from Strategic Planning to Sustainability and Learning Experiences, along with practical guidance for skill development at every career stage.
To foster peer connection, we launched CEM Circle, an exclusive online community for Certified Exhibition Managers to network, collaborate and share expertise. Additionally, we released the latest edition of the “Art of the Show Textbook,” a foundational learning resource updated to reflect the realities and innovations shaping our industry today.
We have launched IAEE Demo Days – interactive virtual sessions that showcase the latest technologies and solutions in the exhibitions and events space. These sessions provide valuable exposure to innovations that help organizers improve efficiency, engagement, and ROI.
This Spring, we once again hosted an outstanding Women’s Leadership Forum, where powerful conversations, authentic connections, and actionable insights inspired attendees to lead with confidence, purpose, and resilience.
Expanding Global Partnerships
In China, IAEE’s Chairperson Chuck Grouzard led a delegation to renew and expand partnerships, including with CCPIT and Beijing Union University. Participation in the 20th China Expo Forum for International Cooperation (CEFCO), the launch of China Council meetings, and new MOUs underscore IAEE’s long-term commitment to international collaboration and educational growth.
Advocacy and New Forums
IAEE’s advocacy efforts remain essential. Following strong participation in the 2025 Legislative Action Day on Capitol Hill, we continue pushing for progress on tariffs, visa reform, and federal workforce funding. On 25 June, we are launching two new forums focusing on Healthcare Show Organizers and Small to Mid-Sized Shows that will deliver targeted, peer-driven support in response to specific organizer needs.
Looking Ahead
Although performance challenges persist, IAEE’s dedication to supporting members with rich content, robust data, and global connections is unwavering. As we move into the second half of 2025, members can look forward to continued development of our enhanced Sustainability Toolkit that offers practical guidance, templates, and case studies to help members implement environmentally responsible practices. And later this year, CEIR Predict will bring together the industry’s most forward-thinking leaders for critical conversations around trends, economics, and the future of face-to-face.
Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient future anchored in knowledge, community, and innovation.
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