Education

As a core focus and priority of the EIF Board of Trustees the advancement of education and workforce development is key.  As young professionals enter the industry they must be educated and given the tools to succeed and highlights the need for scholastic education. More seasoned professionals are challenged to find advanced programming. Additionally, there is also a growing demand for exhibitors to receive quality training and instruction. The more exhibitors who are able to leverage their presence, the more likely they are to become an industry advocate.  There are several programs that are funded by EIF:  

The Exhibition Industry Foundation’s Education Fund was developed to help the advancement of workforce education in the industry by supporting the Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) Learning Program, developing educational tools and providing materials for seminars.

  • In 2010, there were 68 CEMs that graduated. To date, there are a total of 639 graduates since the inception of the program in 1975.

The Helen Brett Scholarship was established on behalf of Helen Brett, a pioneer in the trade show industry. The Helen Brett Scholarship serves to promote the exhibitions and events industry by attracting college level students into the field of study and encouraging their pursuit with financial support.

2010 Helen Brett Scholarship Winners:

  • Gabriel Cortez, UC Berkeley
  • Cory Hall, Texas A&M University
  • Melodie Hilliard, University of Florida

Past Helen Brett Scholarship Winners:

  • Jennifer Shepherd (2007)
  • LeKisha McKinley (2007)
  • Andrew Kao (2007)
  • Kristy Bowen (2007)
  • Pei-Ying (Rita) Wu  (2008)
  • Michael McClatchy  (2009) 

IAEE’s Krakoff Leadership Institute, formerly the Future Leaders Institute develops leadership skills and broad industry knowledge for future leaders of the exhibitions and events industry, and it creates a close support network among participants and enhances motivational and communication skills. EIF funds scholarships for first-time candidates in the program.

  •  Since 2007, there have been 27 recipients of the the Krakoff Leadership Find.

SISO and EIF have also funded associated resources to assist in the marketing of the case study and power point presentation to the University marketing and business programs around the country, in order to provide more talent to the industry and more awareness of the efficiencies and financial benefits that face to face marketing bring to the overall media mix.

"LewAs trade show organizers we have been frustrated by recent business and marketing graduate’s lack of knowledge of the Trade Show and Exhibition Industry. It also results in our inability to attract top talent from university campuses due to lack of exposure. Thanks to a grant from the EIF and an investment by SISO we have created a graduate business school-level case study and power point presentation to expose more university marketing and business programs to the Trade Show Industry.“ 

Lewis R. Shomer, Executive Director, Society of Independent Show Organizers