Date

Event

July 27, 2021

Virtually Everyone is Doing It! Where Do Live and Virtual Meetings Meet?
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. CT

Live meetings are coming back and the industry is rejoicing, but how much of the virtual world do we need to keep around? And for how long? Join us for a discussion on what works after lockdown and how to maximize your event’s engagement. These highly interactive sessions are meant to provide a space for everyone in the industry to learn from each other, so please come ready to teach others about your experiences and to learn from other’s experiences as we adapt to these changes in our industry.

Discussion Moderators:
Rich Stone, CEO, EXPOCAD
Gretchen Thielen, CEM, Sr. Manager, Exhibits & Partnerships, American Academy of Neurology

This program is generously sponsored by: 

September 1, 2021

Annual Golf Outing

Be a part of our fun, energetic 32nd annual Golf Outing!

opportunity to network and engage with your fellow IAEE

• Hole sponsor with foursome - $1,100
• Foursome - $700
• Golf pair with supplier & planner -$325
• Individual golfers - $175
• Non-golfing hole sponsor - $500

 Get your foursomes together!                                                                         

 Annual Meeting, Education Program and Networking
Staying Career-Relevant in Times of Change
~Approved for one clock hour towards CEM recertification~

COVID19 changed a lot of things, including the dynamics at work. Staying on top of the key drivers that keep you relevant to your job while remaining flexible to adapt to those changing factors is critical for sustaining your career path. Career management coach and professional resume writer, Dawn Rasmussen, CMP, has 20 years in the hospitality industry and has seen lots of change, and provides important tips that will help you stay at the top of your “A” game and provide clear roadmaps for continued career growth. This not-to-miss session is critical for all meeting industry professionals as we navigate the post-COVID19 world as the workforce continues to shift and change.

Learning outcomes:
1) Understand the factors at play that can be working against your career goals
2) Identify specific action steps you can take to stay relevant
3) Gain new strategies on how to influence the direction of your career opportunities or even create them

Presenter:

Dawn Rasmussen, Certified résumé writer, CMP  
                               Chief Résumé Designer
                               Pathfinder Writing and Career Services

 Save the date! Registration to open soon.

Dawn Rasmussen is generously sponsored by 

General meeting sponsor:      

December 1, 2021

Holiday Event

   2021

June 2, 2021

3:00pm - 3:45pm - Mini Exhibit Showcase!
4:00pm - 5:00pm - Panel - Case Study Central 
5:00pm - 6:00pm - Reception with Young Professionals Collaborations! 

Approved for 1.0 CE unit 

Exhibitions and Events Organizers - Free!
Exhibitions and Events services - $20
Live Stream - $10

Mini Showcase Exhibitors:

                                                            
               Interested in being a part of the mini exhibit showcase. Contact Gail Brooks.

• $150 Exhibitor Fee Includes:
  •  logo representation- on-site signage, pre-marketing material and website
  • In-person recorded interview OR company branded promo-sizzle reel (commercial) two-minute video
  • One registration to attend full event
• $250 Exhibitor Fee Includes:
  • Includes all above
  • Attendee list-opt-in
  • Two registrations to attend full event

Education program sponsored by: 

First 50 meeting planners receive complimentary registration, sponsored by:   

Registration platform provided by: 


Event production sponsored by: 
       

May 4, 2021

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Dust off your work clothes.. in-person events are coming back!

Exhibitions and events are slowly starting to return, and our chapter could not be more ready for this transition. While this is very exciting news, there is still a lot to consider to ensure you are hosting a safe meeting and appropriate protocols are met. But what does that even mean? Join your fellow Midwest chapter colleagues in an idea-sharing session around best practices for live events that keep COVID-19 protocols in place. This is an interactive session, so please come prepared with your ideas, thoughts, and questions. Our industry is only made stronger if we can lean on each other and learn from each other!

February 28, 2021

Winter Walk: A Mile in Her Shoes

February 24, 2021

Exhibitions Industry Update: The Road to Recovery
This program is worth 1.5 CEUs
1:00 CST – 2:30pm CST

Suffering from Zoom fatigue?  Craving face to face interaction?  So are we!  As we creep up on the one-year anniversary of our industry shutting down, we feel there is no better time to discuss what the road to recovery looks like in 2021.  How are hotels, destinations and labor unions preparing for the comeback? What essential steps is our industry taking in order to ensure safety, efficiency and success?

This is a must attend event to kick off 2021! Join us as we hear from our fellow industry leaders with the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association, ESCA and Destinations International.

Panelists:
	Michael Jacobson  President and CEO, Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA)
	Kevin McLaughlin  National Business Representative, United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America
	Bob Ryley  Senior VP, GES & President-Elect, ESCA
	Pete Carroll General Manager, Central Division, GES
	Don Welsh President and CEO, Destinations International
Moderators:
	Moriah Hathaway, CEM  Manager, Exhibit Services, HIMSS
	Heather Larson, CMP  Director of Sales, Meet Chicago Northwest

February
9, 2021

Young Professional's Virtual Meet-up

12:00 - 1:00 PM (CST)

Young Professionals - Emotional Intelligence is key, awareness is everything. The more you understand you, the more you can build and excel your Personal Brand.

Join us February 9th, 2021 to learn how the Enneagram Personality Assessment reveals how emotions drive our lives and how we engage with others.

Step 1: Take the super quick and easy assessment to determine your enneagram type: https://www.crystalknows.com/enneagram-test 

 What is the Enneagram Personality Assessment?

• The Enneagram is a personality system that reveals how emotions drive our lives and how we engage with others.
• The Enneagram defines nine personality types, each with its own set of strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for personal growth.

Why?  Being able to understand the basic motivations of different personality types can help one communicate and relate to others. Understanding similarities and differences between personality types can give you the skillset necessary to work better with colleagues and can improve how you show up to your coworkers. Everyone has fears and desires; we may seem different on the surface, but in reality, we are all seeking similar things: connection, understanding, support and acceptance.

 When? Tuesday, February 9, 2021 from 12:00 -1:00 PM CST

Sponsored by:     

IAEE Virtual Expo Expo

IAEE welcomed participants to experience the first virtual “show for shows”. While the format changed, attendees connected with key players in the exhibitions industry and gained insights to prepare their organization for the years ahead. 

This year’s ExpoExpo focused on timely and relevant content to prepare you and your business for the next 12-18 months and the future recovery of the exhibitions and events industry.

Midwestern Chapter Virtual Holiday House Party 
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Welcome to our very first virtual house party. Move around the different rooms of the virtual house such as the patio, dining room and kitchen. Join us for fun room activities, plus a game of trivia with GIFT CARD giveaways!

View Invitation

We are gave each Sponsor their own room to entertain our IAEE Midwestern Chapter guests.

Many thanks to our sponsors:

• The Library - Choose Chicago

• The Dining Room - Meet Chicago
   Northwest

• The Garage - Freeman

• Frosty’s Holiday Kitchen - GES

• The Backyard - Shepard

‘Twas the night before Convention

‘Twas the night before Convention, when all thro’ the hall,
Not a creature was stirring, and there was no union call;
The signage was hung in the atrium with care,
In hopes that attendees soon would be there;
The meeting planners were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of badges and barcodes danc’d in their heads,
The McCormick and Choose Chicago teams did final prep,
But what they saw next made them freeze in mid step.
The newscaster on CNN was sounding the alarm
Something called Covid was about do us all harm.
International travel was halted in a flash
Convention goers cancelled flights in a dash
Airports and hotels emptied more and more each day
Internet deliveries and stay home orders were here to stay
When who to our wondering eyes did appear
But the good Dr. Fauci dispelling our fear
A lively old doctor so truthful and wise
We knew in a moment he’d tell us no lies
More rapid than eagles the vaccine trials came
Newscasters cheered, and shouted, and call’d them by name:
“Now! Abbvie, now! Moderna, now! BioNTech, and Pfizer,
“On! Sanofi, on! Merck, on! Johnson and Johnson;
From the Pacific Northwest to the Berlin Wall!
Now test them!! test them! test them all!”
Spring turned into summer and then on to fall
Meetings went virtual and every meeting was a Zoom call;
Some cities tried hard to keep in person meetings going,
But even with masks and social distancing, attendees were slowing
As the holidays approached, cases began to spike
Stay home orders came back, to many peoples dislike
When the world needed good news, Fauci and the pharma companies were there
The news of vaccine approvals made the stay home orders easier to bear.
2020 was rough, but there was finally a glimmer of hope
Just when we needed it most, and Zoom calls have everyone at the end of their rope.
2021 is looking up and we will travel again!
Dust off suitcase, and let’s jump on a plane!
Happy Holidays from your friends in Chicago!
We look forward to welcoming you back for show!

Midwestern Chapter Annual Meeting
3:00 - 4:15 PM

Where Do We Grow Next: Preparing for Success

IAEE Midwestern Chapter was fortunate to have Kevin Dunn, a former Division President, McDonalds North America to help guide attendees through this critical time in their professional journey. Kevin shared strategies for building your personal brand and effective techniques for developing powerful leadership skills. He focused on the relationships critical to the success of your personal brand and included Kevin's management philosophy that is centered on results through people, character-driven leadership, and maintaining a work-family-community balance.

A charismatic and energetic leader, Kevin has a distinguished record of achieving business results. He brings impressive experience, high integrity, and strong values to empower businesses, executives, and CEOs to attain their goals, create wealth and opportunity for all, and "be better than yesterday." 

Included in this webinar:

• Strategies for building your personal brand
• Effective techniques for developing powerful leadership skills
• A management philosophy to help you get results through people, a character-driven leadership and how to maintain a work-family-community balance

The program was approved for 1 clock hour towards CEM recertification.

SPEAKER:

Kevin Dunn
Founder and President, Dunn Enterprises, Adjunct Professor, Roosevelt University

Recording

2020 Volunteer of the Year

Every year, members donate time and expertise to IAEE MWC. Volunteers play an integral role in the day-to-day operations of the association and help chart our future. This highest accolade is awarded annually and recognizes leadership and outstanding contributions to the association. We are happy to announce the 2020 Volunteer of the Year recipients are Donna Busse, Ben Cramer and Bob Chain. 
 

We're pleased to announce that our scholarship committee has selected the 2020 Expo! Expo! Midwestern Chapter Young Professional EXPO! EXPO! Scholarship recipient, Victoria Garcia, Institute of Food Technologists. 


Congratulations to our winners on their accomplishments! 

Virtual Meeting & Exhibition Platform Demo: EXPO, INC.
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

On the surface the idea of finding an event technology solution to host a virtual event may seem like an easy feat, but nothing could be further from the truth. The Expo, Inc. team of event planners and technology architects understands your pain and is thrilled to offer you a different approach.

We realize that content is king, but getting sponsors and “exhibitors” to join your event to help drive event attendance (and boost your revenue) is also critical. Invest a little of your time to join us for a few minutes to learn about Expo’s virtual event experience. We’ll give you a look into our sponsor advertising bundles, opportunities for exhibitor exposure, content streaming alternatives, and much more.

With Expo your next event, just got next level!

PRESENTERS:
	Tracey Straub Co-Founder and VP, Customer Experience, EXPO, Inc.
	Elizabeth MalatyUhr Event Success Manager, Expo, Inc.

Chapter Meetup
4:30 - 5:30 PM

Organized by IAEEMWC Young Professionals, but all are welcome!

The MWC Young Professionals held an Icebreaker networking event connecting young professionals while having a fun from home.

Hosting Successful Exhibit Halls within a Virtual Conference
Tuesday, September 22, 2020 | 1:00 - 1:45PM

During this all, the IAEE Midwestern Chapter built off of the ideas of colleagues in the field and brainstormed new solutions to help ensure virtual exhibit halls get noticed during virtual conferences. Following a similar format to our connect and share earlier this year, we utilized polls, chat features, and breakout groups to information share and ideate what the future exhibit hall could look like.

Topics covered:

• What should be included in a virtual exhibit hall
• What are ways to drive traffic to exhibits
• What does success look like for your exhibitors
• What are creative ways to get attendees to engage in what they are seeing

31st Annual Golf Outing
Seven Bridges Golf Club, Woodridge, IL

NOT the same old, same old! IAEE Midwestern Chapter Golf Outing Reimagined!

The IAEE Midwestern Chapter Annual Golf Outing looked a little different this year than years past, but it was still a great event!. Thank you to all of our sponsors + participants.

View the photo gallery here.

IAEE Midwestern Chapter colleagues met for an afternoon of golf and fun with their professional colleagues. The IAEE Midwestern Chapter took the 31st Annual Golf Outing back to Seven Bridges Golf Club in beautiful Woodridge, IL for an affordable golf experience. On Wednesday, September 2, 2020, golfers were able to experience a superbly maintained championship golf course that provides a "private club experience."

The 31st Annual Golf Outing was designed to be a special day for you to entertain clients or reward employees, but mostly for our industry to come together again face to face. Precautions were taken so that we maintained an environment that was conducive to networking but also safe. Seven Bridges Golf Club complied with the Illinois state guidelines.

• Check-in and warm-up: 11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
• Shotgun start with lunch on the course: 12:00 p.m.
• Reception: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Here's who will be joining us so far at this year's Annual Golf Outing:

• American Veterinary Medicine Association
• Carpenters Local Union No 10
• Choose Chicago
• Emergency Nurses Association
• Freeman
• GES
• Kuehne + Nagle
• Lift Sales
• PRA
• Trinity Displays
• Winsight Media/National Restaurant Show

Participation Opportunities
Hole Sponsorship – $1000
Foursome - $800
Individual Golfer - $200
Mixer/Reception - $45

CEM Week Baltimore 2020

August 24- 28, 2020
Baltimore Convention Center
1 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21201

CEM Week provide participants the only opportunity to take five courses and complete five exams in one week. Along with being able to complete over half of the program in a condensed timeframe, previous attendees have said, “The interaction with other classmates is what makes this worthwhile.” Group discussions and class exercises are structured so students actively participate and gain practical knowledge of the course material.

CEM Week Austin 2020

August 24, 2020 - August 28, 2020
Course Location: TBA

CEM Week provides participants the only opportunity to take five courses and complete five exams in one week. Along with being able to complete over half of the program in a condensed timeframe, previous attendees have said, “The interaction with other classmates is what makes this worthwhile.” Group discussions and class exercises are structured so students actively participate and gain practical knowledge of the course material.

Virtual Meeting & Exhibition Platform Demo:
EXPOCAD® VMP 

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

As we continue the path to resume some normalcy in our professional lives, virtual meetings are now the new reality. Come join your colleagues, as EXPOCAD® VMP educates us on their platform.

Pivot, Pure, Hybrid – Three scenarios of Virtual Events

A virtual event is any event that conveys sponsor/vendor/education/poster information on-line instead of in person. At the simple scale, a PDF with links to the exhibitor’s website is a virtual event. The level of complexity of virtual events increases from there dramatically. EXPOCAD® has been doing virtual events since 2006. This is not new for us. EXPOCAD® Virtual Market Place can manage any size event and works with its own conference module or one of the organizer’s choice using multi-cloud technology.

We all are about done with the word ‘pivot’ at this point. It does describe an event that had to do a mid-course correction due to the inability to hold the live event. Michele Bennett, Senior Exhibition Manager from SPIE, will share her experience with having to make a change to maintain audience and continuity for her organizations’ events.

Is there anything new to learn about virtual events? YES!!

• How speed to market made a difference
• Market analysis of what an organizer can do to increase revenue and ‘booth’ traffic
• ADA compliancy (ASL, CC, Screen Reader, High Contrast Interface, etc.)
• User interface requirements needs vs. wants
• Multi-cloud applications
  
  

PRESENTERS:
	Michele Bennett, CEM, Senior Exhibition Manager, SPIE Click here to view Michele's presentation.
	Rich Stone, CEO EXPOCAD® by ACT Click here to view Rich's presentation.
Recording

Chapter Meetup
Organized by IAEEMWC Young Professionals, but all are welcome!
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Overwhelmed with the ever-changing challenges of 2020? Need a time out? Would you like to add a little balance to your day? Join us virtually on July 29th as Bret Gornik, Co-Founder of Live Better, guides us through (4) easy steps towards a healthier and more mindful lifestyle!

1. Energize Smooth! Get up and take on the day with this super easy and delicious smoothie recipe. Learn why this smoothie will help you charge through the day as well as alternative ingredients.
2. At home body weight and daily stretch routine! Explore how you can use your own body weight and household items to energize and strengthen your body!
3. Daily Work From Home Wellness Hacks! These quick and easy hacks will help you to build healthy habits, reduce stress, and increase positive wellbeing.
4. Focus & Performance Meditation! Give yourself 10 minutes of your day to meditate, calm the body, breathe, enhance your ability to be present, and develop mindfulness skills to better your health and wellness.

View Recording

IAEE’s Women’s Leadership Forum

OLC Education & Conference Center
9400 West Higgins Rd, Suite 100
Rosemont, IL 60018-4975

IAEE’s Women’s Leadership Regional Forum in Rosemont, IL transformed to a virtual event with an in-person component for those who still wanted to attend in person at the OLC Education & Conference Center.

IAEE’s Women’s Leadership Forum has been designed to focus on topics that are unique to women in the exhibitions and events industry. It is tailored for all women regardless of age, individual situation, or current position held within their company.

KEYNOTES:

Jeska Brodbeck
Mastering Your Flow State for Optimal Performance

Claudia St. John, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Transforming Teams – Tips for Improving Collaboration and Building Trust

June Education Program & Networking
The New Normal, What’s in Store for our Industry after COVID-19
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 | 12:30 - 2:00 PM

Come celebrate Exhibitions Day with your Midwestern Chapter! This virtual program is complimentary and open to everyone, members and non-members.

In this multi-session program, we will address what is currently happening in the meetings and events industry. We will hear about what a successful show has done to virtualize their events. We’ll find out what new contractual & insurance things to look for and finally what is the big picture for the future.

The program is eligible for 1.5 clock hours towards CEM recertification.

PART 1: GOING VIRTUAL

A presentation on how HIMSS20 went to HIMSS20 Digital.

PRESENTERS:

Ben Dunlap, Regional Vice President, Map Your Show

Elli Riley, Senior Director, Exhibits & Meeting Services, HIMSS

PART 2: THE NEW NORMAL IN CONTRACTS & INSURANCE
A presentation on the legal, liability and risk realities of the new normal.

PRESENTERS:

Jonathan T. Howe, Senior and Founding Partner, Howe & Hutton, Ltd

Lou Novick, National Director, Associations, Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc.

PART 3: HEADLINER
We will hear what experts are predicting the new normal will be and what we need to watch for going forward.

PRESENTER:

David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA, President and CEO, International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE)

You are Going Virtual! What Now?
Thursday, May 7, 2020 | 10:00 - 10:45AM

In an industry that is used to planning face to face engagement, this year has been a difficult time for us. Resiliency and innovation is the back bone of events and exhibitions, and we have seen countless organizations step to the plate to find a new normal.

Many events and exhibitions are hosting their events digitally, and the IAEE Midwest Chapter wants to hear from you on what you have done and how you have found success in virtual formats.

We invite you to connect with your colleagues to share successes, challenges, and questions you have about hosting online meetings.

Please come prepared with anything you would like to discuss, but some topics that will be covered are:

• Where do you start as you look to transition to digital?
• How do you get engagement from attendees?
• How do your attendees engage with exhibitors?
• What products or solutions are available to use?
• What are some successes your organization has had so far?
• What are some challenges?
  
• How do you incorporate digital and live meeting components at future events?

Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID)

GMID Goes Virtual was a great day of inspiration and learning with incredible content and virtual production throughout the day!

Over 12,500 event professionals attended online in a show of strength, resiliency, and unity. Missed the event? You can watch the full recording of the event here!

Chapter Meetup
Organized by IAEEMWC Young Professionals, but all are welcome!
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

The IAEE Midwestern Chapter Meetup went virtual!

Thanks to all who threw on a shirt, turned on their laptop camera, and joined us (virtually) for a first-of-its-kind, virtual IAEE Midwestern Chapter April Meetup! What a success! We look forward to seeing you again at our next event.

Educational Program & Networking Reception
Site Selection Knowledge Share: The Do's and Don'ts

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont
5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018

Approved for 1.5 credits for CEM

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM - Registration
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Education Program
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM - Networking Reception

As organizations are continually looking for new cities and new venues, what are the issues you need to know about? Is your organization in the process of selecting cities, venues and regions for your future events?

IAEE’s Midwest Chapter’s interactive educational session is where you will hear from industry veterans representing DMO’s, Convention Centers, Organizers and more about their best practices and their keys to success. Understand what is coming for the future of venues and learn about the key topics that will face your organization as you select the right city, venue or region for your event.

The presentation will include a panel discussion from key industry leaders followed by an interactive roundtable discussion dissecting the optimal site inspection process. This event will include the perspective of the Show Organizer, DMO, Venue, Convention Center and Hotel.

Topics of discussion will include:

• What are the keys to an effective site selection process?
• What are the Hot Button issues for event directors when conducting a site visit?
• What services are moving to the DMO?
• Who are the Key people at a convention center?
• What are the Essential Questions to ask?
• What do Event Planners miss in Site Selection?
• What are the differences for hotel or resort based events?

PANELISTS:

	Stephanie Anthony Hyatt Regency Chicago		Hayat Pronovost Visit Orlando
	Benjamin Rabe, CEM SmithBucklin		Christopher Stephens Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
MODERATOR:	Lisa Goecke Malikow National Restaurant Association Show

REGISTRATION FEE:
Exhibition and Event Organizers Members (EEOM) - Complimentary
Exhibition and Event Organizers Non-Members (EEONM) - $65, $75 after 2/21
Exhibition and Event Service Members (EESM) - $65, $75 after 2/21
Exhibition and Event Service Non-Members (EESM) - $75, $85 after 2/21
Students - $15

GIVING BACK
IAEE Midwest Chapter is excited to announce, along with your event registration, you are now able to purchase 50/50, Split the Pot raffle tickets (1 for $5, 2 for $10 and 5 for $20) supporting our Chapter Charity, Sarah's Circle. This is your chance to raise crucial funds for women in need and win BIG! The Winner will be announced at the conclusion of the program. Your raffle tickets will be attached to your badge at the Registration Table.

In addition, if would you like to give back to the industry that supports your company, organization and your career, you are now also able to make a monetary donation to the Exhibitions Mean Business campaign (EMB) and/or Center for Exhibition Industry Research Foundation (CEIR). Please consider making a financial donation along with your registration payment.

***Travel size toiletry items as well as personal care items will be collected to benefit our Chapter Charity, Sarah`s Circle. For a complete list of accepted items, click here.

IAEE Midwestern Chapter

WALKS for our Chapter Charity Sarah's Circle!

1:00 - 3:00 PM
TRUMAN COLLEGE
1145 W. Wilson, Chicago, IL

Our members are passionate about helping women who are homeless. Thanks to all who walked with us and donated to the team.

YOU’RE INVITED TO A “FRIENDLY” GAME OF KICKBALL!
6th Annual Midwestern Chapter
Kick Ball Tournament
Thursday, January 23, 2020 | McCormick Place | Hall F2

Networking, Food, Drinks, and Fun!

Registration and warm-ups: 4:30 PM
Games Begin at 5:30

A big thanks to all who came out for 6th Annual Kickball Tournament! Congrats to this year’s winners GES!

Click here to view the photo gallery,

Thanks to our sponsors: Armageddon Services, GES, McCormick Place, SAVOR...Chicago, United Steelworkers, and AFL-CIO-CLC.

Click here to view all our past events.