IAEE Selects Don Pazour as 2018 Legend of the Industry
August 2, 2018
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events selected Don Pazour as its 2018 Legend of the Industry.
He will be honored during this year’s Krakoff Leadership Institute (KLI) Aug. 5-6 at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center in Savannah, Ga.
The KLI Legend of the Industry is selected from IAEE members whose contributions, innovation and leadership have been truly unique and remarkable.
An informal setting then allows each KLI participant face-to-face interaction with this industry leader.
Don Pazour thrives on celebrating and supporting others’ success. He believes that great business events and trade shows are built around the needs of the communities they serve.
As CEO of Access Intelligence LLC and before that, a U.S. division of UBM, Pazour has led scores of acquisitions to build robust trade show portfolios.
He also supported and sponsored many executives at the companies he has managed, launched and innovated, driving their events to great levels of success.
In all of these cases, the key to his success was backing and collaborating with great leaders that understood their customers’ information and commercial needs.
Pazour began his media career as an editor of a mining magazine and found his love for face-to-face events through the launch of a mining summit held in Taxco, Mexico, which drew attendees from 34 countries.
Being allowed by his managers to take that risk and deliver a great community event was to be emulated through his support and willingness to risk failure with his own future employees.
He continued to learn from many of the entrepreneurs who, after selling their businesses, worked alongside him to integrate those events into a larger organization.
Pazour believes every community has its own personality and culture, which serve as the core around which best industry practices can be applied to create more value for both the attendee and exhibitor. He sees his main responsibility as putting leaders in place that understand the communities they serve, and are passionate about delivering awesome and profitable experiences for their customers.
In addition to his involvement in IAEE, Pazour is a past chairman and member of the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) Board of Directors and past vice-chair and former Board member of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR).
“My philosophy has always been one of collaboration and support with my fellow colleagues, and I have been fortunate to work with industry leaders who have inspired me throughout my career,” Pazour said.
He added, “I am both honored and humbled to be considered among them, and look forward to sharing ideas at the KLI Dinner.”
The IAEE Krakoff Leadership Institute brings together individuals interested in learning more about themselves so they can get involved and become effective strategists, contributors, facilitators and innovators.
This highly interactive curriculum integrates theory and practice to ensure institute participants leave capable of both thinking better and doing better.
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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