The International Association of Exhibitions and Events has appointed Cathy Breden, CMP-F, CAE, CEM, as interim CEO, effective Oct. 1. Breden will step into the role while IAEE continues to search for a permanent leader to replace outgoing president and CEO David DuBois, CMP-F, CAE, FASAE, CTA, who is taking on a new position as president and CEO of the Exhibitor Group.
Breden, who has been with IAEE since 1995, currently serves as its executive vice president and COO. She also holds the title of CEO of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research. Once a new president and CEO has been selected, Breden will return to her current IAEE role until her retirement in June 2024.
"With 28 years of service to IAEE, there was no question in the minds of the board of directors who the best person would be to lead the association as we continue the search for a new president and CEO," said Dennis Smith, vice president of business development for the Asian American Hotel Owners Association and IAEE's 2023 chairperson. "Cathy not only possesses vast knowledge about the organization, but is a highly regarded authority of our industry."
To aid in its search for a new leader, the IAEE board has retained SearchWide Global, a full-service firm that specializes in filling C-suite positions within the travel and events industry.
