IAEE Holds First Virtual Women’s Leadership Forum, Honors Nancy Walsh
September 15, 2020
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events(IAEE) held its first fully virtual Women’s Leadership Forum, featuring education sessions for women at all stages of their career, on Sept. 9.
This year’s program included sessions like “Truths Female Leaders Need to Know,” “Innovation is Everybody’s Business: How to Be the Innovator and Leader Your Team and Clients Need When Times Are Uncertain,” Cultivating Connectivity, One Step at a Time” and “BrainSHIFT: Mindful Leaders Rise Above the Panic.”
“Since its inception in 2013, the Women’s Leadership Forum has become a must-attend event for industry professionals seeking a deeper level of inspiration and motivation that they can use both personally and professionally to take their career to the next level,” said IAEE Executive Vice President and COO Cathy Breden. “The program is tailored to the unique perspective that women bring to the industry and offers powerful tools delivered by dynamic presenters from diverse areas of expertise.”
The program also included the announcement of Nancy Walsh, president of Informa Markets’ fashion portfolio, as the recipient of the 2020 IAEE Woman of Achievement Award. Walsh joined Informa Markets in January 2020 from Freeman, where she held the position of senior vice president of brand experience. Previously, Walsh had a 32-year career with Reed Exhibitions.
“Nancy’s career has been an outstanding exercise in professionalism, dedication and accomplishment that deserves recognition on many levels,” said Kellie Shevlin , IAEE awards committee chair and executive director of Craft Beverage Expo. “As a woman in the exhibitions and events industry, she acts as a role model for future female leaders of our industry to emulate, and she embodies the merits that the IAEE Woman of Achievement Award is intended to honor.”
Learn more about the Women’s Leadership Forum here, or register for this month’s regional half-day forum in Dallas on Sept. 24 here.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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