Two trailblazing association leaders have been named among a select group of
event industry leaders to be given a prestigious lifetime’s achievement award.
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ (IAEE) former
executive VP and COO Cathy Breden has been inducted into the Events Industry
Council’s (EIC) Hall of Leaders alongside William Reed, chief event
strategy officer at the American Society of Hematology (ASH).
Breden’s career saw her in a number of roles including chief staff executive, volunteer leader and consultant. She earned the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 1990 and became a CMP Fellow in 2019. She earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 1995 and was bestowed the Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) designation in 2019. Breden was recognized with the IAEE Chairperson’s Award in 2015.
Reed started his career working in sales in the hotel and leisure industry, for the like of Westin, Fairmont and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, before joining event company Experient in 2005 as senior VP. He joined ASH in 2013 as meetings director before filling his current role in 2018.
Considered a lifetime achievement award and among meeting and events’
highest honours, the EIC Hall of Leaders recognises outstanding leaders who
have shaped the industry.
More than 150 inductees have been named to the Hall of Leaders
since it was launched in 1985.
“By honouring and celebrating those who have helped shape our
industry, we demonstrate the global business events industry’s unique capacity
to foster human connection and collaboration, leaving a lasting economic and
social impact on the communities we serve," said EIC president and CEO Amy
Calvert. "We are grateful for the Hall of Leaders inductees’ many
contributions and leadership – all have genuinely and humbly inspired industry
professionals globally.”
“Cathy’s impact on the exhibitions and events industry across
the globe embodies her genuine passion for her work,” added IAEE President and
CEO Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM. “Her induction into the prestigious EIC Hall
of Leaders is a fitting reflection of her truly remarkable legacy, and we are
incredibly proud of her.”
“Receiving the Hall of Leaders Award is a profound honour that
fills me with gratitude and humility,” said Breden, who retired from IAEE in
June. “This
achievement is not mine alone; it’s a testament to the exceptional IAEE staff
and the remarkable members and volunteers I’ve had the pleasure of
collaborating with throughout my career.”
In a LinkedIn post Reed said: "It is such an honour and very humbling when I look at the
list of past inductees and their prominence in my evolution, especially those
back in the day when I was a young whipper-snapper and a recipient of their
leadership influence. Being in the same room as the other inductees
is a good day in my book, much less being recognized together.”
The EIC's 75th Anniversary and 2024 Global Awards Celebration on
7 October 2024 at the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.
The 2024 inductees are:
- Cathy Breden, former executive vice-president
and chief operating officer of IAEE
- Greg O’Dell, president of venue management of Oak
View Group
- Julius Solaris, founder of Boldpush
- Willam Reed, chief event strategy officer
of American Society of Hematology
- Robin Lokerman, group president
of MCI Group.
