WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Events Industry Council (EIC), the umbrella organization for the global meetings and events industry, has selected Cathy Breden, CMP, CAE, CEM, as its 2021 Chair-Elect. Breden, who is the IAEE Executive Vice President and COO, will serve as EIC Treasurer through 2021 before taking the role of EIC Chair in 2022. EIC, whose board includes nominated members representing global business events industry organizations, serves as the industry’s global voice on advocacy, research, professional recognition, and standards.
“The Events Industry Council represents the global ecosystem of the business events industry through its 33 association members,” Breden said. “This role is full circle for me and I’m honored to have been selected. I achieved the CMP designation in 1989, served on the CMP Board for a number of years and then chaired it in 2010. I’ve also served in other volunteer roles and have worked with two great former CEOs — Mary Power and Karen Kotowski — and now with CEO Amy Calvert, who is doing an outstanding job.
Over the years, EIC has evolved thanks to all the passionate individuals who give their valuable time and knowledge,” Breden added. “My accepting the Chair-Elect position is a natural next step, and I look forward to continuing to add value by working with the Executive Committee, the Board, council and the EIC staff team on achieving the Vision 2025 Plan.”
Related. The Advocacy Force Behind Go Live Together
In addition to her work with IAEE and EIC, Breden is also the CEO of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), presents often on exhibition industry trends, and is an adjunct faculty member at Dallas Community College District-Richland College. As someone who has been working in association management since 1984, she is also an active member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE), and is an editor of IAEE’s textbook, The Art of the Show, An Introduction to the Study of Exhibition Management, 5th Edition.
Reach Cathy Breden at cbreden@ceir.org.
