When his contract expires on September 30, 2012, the president of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, Steven Hacker, CAE, FSAE, plans to step down.

"Having served IAEE since 1992 has been a remarkably rewarding experience,” said Hacker, who joined Dallas-based IAEE 20 years ago from the Professional Insurance Agents of Texas, where he was president and CEO for 17 years. Hacker helped grow IAEE, formerly known as the International Association for Exhibition Management, from 2,600 members to more than 9,000 members. He has received many industry honors throughout his career, including induction into the Convention Industry Council’s Hall of Leaders.

"We all think highly of Steven and the way he has represented IAEE for the past two decades,” said Vinnie Polito, chairman of the IAEE board of directors. “Giving us a year in which to properly plan for this important transition is an incredibly valuable opportunity that many other organizations do not enjoy. We will now turn our attention to carefully analyzing what kind of staff leadership the association may require in the years ahead,” said Polito. “Making the right CEO selection is critical both for them and for us as members.”

IAEE will issue periodic updates about the CEO transition plan, added Polito. Right now, however, he said it is premature for anyone to send in letters and/or résumés.