IAEE promotes Stacy Powers to vice president to lead global education initiatives
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has announced the promotion of Stacy Powers, CEM, to the position of Vice President of Learning Experiences, effective immediately. This move acknowledges her leadership and significant contributions to the development of global education and professional development initiatives within the organisation.
Powers previously held the role of Director of Learning Experiences at IAEE, where she was responsible for creating and planning various educational programs, including the Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition, as well as multiple Women's Leadership Forums and the IAEE Leadership Institute, formerly known as KLI. Her extensive experience within IAEE also includes serving as Senior Education Manager. This promotion is seen as a recognition of her strategic vision for enhancing professional development in the exhibitions and events industry.
“I am truly honored and excited to step into this new position as Vice President of Learning Experiences,” Powers stated, expressing her enthusiasm for further contributing to the organisation. She added that she looks forward to leading impactful strategies that elevate both the team and the educational offerings provided to IAEE’s membership.
Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM, IAEE’s President and CEO, remarked on the rigorous search conducted to find a suitable candidate for this pivotal leadership role. Flanagan noted, “Stacy stood out as the clear choice. Her years of experience in both education and the association space, combined with her deep understanding of our organization and commitment to its mission, made her the ideal candidate.” She highlighted the satisfaction derived from promoting talent from within the organisation.
In her new role, Powers will oversee all facets of IAEE’s educational and professional development programs, including the prestigious Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) designation programme. Her responsibilities will involve not only the development of new CEM licensees globally but also the maintenance of relationships with existing licensees. Additionally, she will manage the Education Department team, providing leadership to ensure operational efficiency and the achievement of departmental objectives.
Powers brings a rich and diverse professional background to her position. Before her tenure at IAEE, she served as Professional Development Manager at Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) and spent over a decade in the medical and dental industry as a Director of Human Resources and Compliance. Further extending her expertise, she was involved with Meeting Professionals International (MPI), managing various educational programmes.
Her career began in a counselling capacity where she assisted at-risk youth, battered women, and children, drawing from her foundational education in Psychology. Powers holds a Master of Science Degree in Human Resources and Training, as well as the Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) designation. This diverse experience has equipped her with a unique perspective on professional development and education in the exhibitions and events sector.