Objective

To imagine the future of exhibitions and AEM’s role in that future. Together a mix of member leadership, attendees and imagineers outside the industry will recommend to the AEM Board the vision for what a first-class, defensible event needs to be to deliver maximum ROI to exhibitors and attendees.

Responsibilities

• Take into consideration multiple trends and disruptions to identify the high-level features and benefits an AEM exhibition needs to drive to, stretching out 10 years.
• Discuss trends, for example:
  • The outlook and trends for exhibitions and events.
  • AEM exhibitions: Where they are positioned today.
  • Data and trends from current shows.
  • Behavioral trends pertinent to events.
  • Marketing trends.
  • Drivers of change in end-user segments, for example, the buyer’s journey.
  • Drivers of change in the manufacturing industry, for example, discussing how the shift of OEMs going from machines to service companies will change exhibitor needs/show floor. What can we do to market services over equipment in the future?

2021 Priorities

• Review the recommendations to achieve the priorities identified in 2020 and provide feedback and direction.

Leadership

• The Exhibitions Strategic Task Force leadership consists of a Chair and Vice Chair.

Composition 

• Selected leaders from 10 to 12 AEM exhibition exhibitors.
• Approximately five contractors/producers.
• Approximately five outside-of-industry contributors, preferably from an innovations role.
• Have a Foresight profile of ideator, maverick, trail blazer, idea broker, etc.

Meetings

• The Task Force met virtually twice in 2020. There may be need for an additional conference call/virtual meeting in 2021