Outlines Scope of Research for the Coming Year
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) announced today that Robert McLean, CPA, CAE, Executive Vice President, Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) will serve as chairperson of the 2019 CEIR Board of Directors. 
“CEIR provides invaluable research to guide participants in the trade show industry,” said McLean. “From research on attendee retention and the changing environment of the trade show industry to the annual CEIR Index Report, CEIR provides useful tools to help the industry and its members grow. I am honored to be the chairperson of such an important organization and look forward to working with its dedicated staff and board members.”
As PPAI’s Executive Vice President, McLean is responsible for its trade shows, membership, information technology, finance and administration as well as the Promotional Products Education Foundation. Prior to joining PPAI, his most recent position was as the CFO and COO of QI Systems Inc., a publicly-traded designer and manufacturer of smart card systems for unattended payment devices to be used on vending machines, parking meters and laundry machines. McLean was responsible for QI System’s SEC reporting and accounting, and oversaw the engineering and operations in its Vancouver facility.
Ian Sequeira, Vice President, Research & Measurement, Freeman will serve as chairperson for the 2019 CEIR Research Council, which reviews and recommends research-based initiatives to the CEIR Board of Directors. In the first half of the year, reports are forthcoming from research completed in the latter part of 2018 which evaluate the brand image of the business-to-business (B2B) exhibition channel among heads of marketing. New studies to be launched in 2019 include a Sponsorship Practices Study, an Exhibition Performance Metrics Study and Industry Insights Series reports, in addition to the release of remaining reports in the Attendee ROI Playbook Series.
“I am honored to serve as this year’s chair for the CEIR Research Council alongside distinguished exhibition industry professionals who represent the various segments of our industry,” said Sequeira. “Their knowledge and expertise in determining the research areas that will most resonate with CEIR constituents is invaluable. I look forward to another successful year by providing our industry with highly relevant and actionable data and insights.”
Remaining members of the CEIR Board of Directors include:
- Secretary/Treasurer Carrie Ferenac, President, CNTV (Convention News Television);
- Immediate Past Chairperson Tom Cindric, Jr., CEM, President, Exhibitions, Winsight Media;
- Director Antonio Manuel Brito, CEM, CMP, CEO, Newevents – Organizacao de Feiras e Eventos, Lda;
- Director Marie Browne, Group Vice President, LaunchPad, Reed Exhibitions;
- Director Julie Coker Graham, President & CEO, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (SMG);
- Director Chuck Grouzard, Executive Vice President, Exhibition Sales, GES;
- Director Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes, CEM, President and Chief Account Strategist, mdg;
- Director Buffy Levy, Director, Event Services, SmithBucklin Corporation;
- Director Tim McGuinness, Staff Vice President Global Expositions, International Council of Shopping Centers;
- Director Daniel McKinnon, CEM, Executive Vice President, Exhibitions & Events, Material Handling Institute (MHI);
- Director Justine L. McVaney, Senior Vice President Event Planning & Operations, National Association of Broadcasters;
- Director Yulita Osuba, CMP, Deputy Director, Orange County Convention Center;
- Director Dennis Smith, MBA, Senior Business Advisor, Messe Frankfurt North America;
- Director Janet Sperstad, CMP, Program Director, Meeting and Event Management, Madison College; and
- Ex-Officio Member David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA, President and CEO, IAEE.
Read the CEIR blog recapping the research completed in 2018 here.
About CEIR
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) serves to advance the growth, awareness and value of exhibitions and other face-to-face marketing events by producing and delivering knowledge-based research tools that enable stakeholder organizations to enhance their ability to meet current and emerging customer needs, improve their business performance and strengthen their competitive position. For additional information, visit www.ceir.org.
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Media Inquiries:
Mary Tucker
+1(972) 687-9226
mtucker@ceir.org
