The International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) announced today it has renamed its IAEE Woman of Achievement Award to the IAEE Cathy Breden Woman of Achievement Award to honor IAEE Executive Vice President and COO Cathy Breden, CMP-F, CAE, CEM who will be retiring from the association on 28 June 2024.

“This is a fitting way to celebrate Cathy’s amazing contributions to IAEE as well as the industry during her 29-year tenure with the association,” said IAEE President and CEO Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM. “She embodies all the qualities that this award recognizes, and I am thrilled her legacy will live on through all who receive this honor.”

Breden began her association management career in 1984 after graduating from Florida State University with a business administration degree with an emphasis in association management. She has served as a member of several boards of directors, including as 2022 Chairperson of the Events Industry Council Board of Directors.

Breden’s professional roles include key staff contact, 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.

As Executive Vice President and COO of IAEE, Breden activates and owns the delivery of the operational plan in accordance with the Board-approved strategic plan, annual business plan, budget and enterprise culture, and provides executive leadership. In addition, she serves as CEO of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), whose primary purpose is to promote the growth, awareness and value of exhibitions and other face-to-face marketing events by producing and delivering objective, primary research-based knowledge tools.

“This award being named in my honor was a true surprise,” commented Breden. “Who knew that all those years ago when the IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum was first held that it would be the success it is today! It shows that women needed and wanted support with programming designed for them. They still do.”

The call for nominations for the 2024 IAEE Awards, including the IAEE Cathy Breden Woman of Achievement Award, remains open until 30 August 2024. Click here for more information and to submit nominations.