David DuBois, President and CEO, International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE)

Many association meetings experts were optimistic that 2021 would see things improve quickly after a dismal 2020 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. But two COVID-19 variants — first Delta, then Omicron — put a damper on the recovery, even after the vaccine rollout started in earnest early in 2021.

So, where do we go from here? Industry leader and International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) President and CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA, shared his thoughts as we move into 2022.

Q: As the U.S. tries to ease out of the COVID-19 pandemic, how does the meetings and events industry rebound?

A: Over the past several months, the exhibitions industry has increasingly demonstrated ways to hold events safely from GBAC STAR accreditations at various levels, to health and safety mandates, to using data and scientific modeling to plan for safe events. CEIR economist Dr. Allen Shaw has forecast in his most recent analysis that we should see pre-COVID (2019) levels of activity in the B2B exhibition space sometime in 2023.

Q: What challenges will association meeting planners face in 2022?

A: A major challenge will be the public perception of what is safe. At a point, each individual has to decide what their comfort level is in going to events based on the communications and planning from the event organizer. We are seeing right now how the world will respond to the Omicron variant, and only time will tell how people will react.

Q: Is the nationwide supply shortage something that is affecting your company/entity? Your clients?

A: The answer to this depends on the industry vertical. With all facets of our economy, the labor market is slow to catch up, and this is requiring even more thoughtful planning and contingency planning by organizers.

Q: What were your initial thoughts about how long the industry would be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic? How have those thoughts changed so many months later?

A: Hindsight is always 20/20, but like most people, I assumed the vaccine would help drive out the pandemic. But, here we are … and we have a new variant to deal with. I used to think we would get through COVID, but the reality is that we are all now living with COVID and doing our best to find our way to come together safely. Unfortunately, like the regular flu, COVID may never go away. As an industry, it is our duty of care and responsibility to provide safe environments for exhibitions and events, as well as help mitigate the spread of any illnesses.

Q: How are 2022 meeting budgets different from 2021? 2020?

A: I can only speak for IAEE, but with hybrid events becoming the norm for many, we have to plan for increased A/V costs. And we have to weigh the pros and cons of producing digital events based on our members’ needs and wants.

Q: How did the 2021 Annual Meeting & Exhibition differ from 2020?

A: The 2021 event was a hybrid event and 2020 was fully virtual.

Q: What are the key takeaways you hope planners received from the meeting?

A: Above all else, the power of meeting face to face is greater than any other marketing medium to conduct business. Additionally, we can and will continue to meet safely.

Q: What encouraging signs or trends do you see ahead for the meetings industry?

A: People are learning to live with COVID, when I think most of us thought we would just get through it. Event professionals are resourceful and tenacious. We are discovering new ways to meet and bring people together safely, and this is changing constantly. | AC&F |