Robert McLean, CPA, CAE, PPAI executive vice president, has been named 2019 chair of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s (CEIR) board of directors. CEIR provides research on the North American exhibitions and events industry globally which optimizes performance, increases engagement and addresses emerging customer needs.

“CEIR provides invaluable research to guide participants in the trade show industry,” says McLean. “From research on attendee retention and the changing environment of the trade show industry to the annual CEIR Index Report, CEIR provides useful tools to help the industry and its members grow. I am honored to be the chairperson of such an important organization and look forward to working with its dedicated staff and board members.”

At PPAI, McLean is responsible for overseeing trade shows, membership, information technology, finance and administration as well as the Promotional Products Education Foundation. Prior to joining PPAI, his most recent position was as CFO and COO of QI Systems Inc., a publicly-traded designer and manufacturer of smart card systems for unattended payment devices to be used on vending machines, parking meters and laundry machines. McLean was responsible for QI System’s SEC reporting and accounting and oversaw the engineering and operations in its Vancouver facility.

Ian Sequeira, vice president of research and measurement at Freeman, will serve as chairperson for the 2019 CEIR Research Council, which reviews and recommends research-based initiatives to the CEIR board of directors. In the first half of the year, reports are forthcoming from research completed in the latter part of 2018 which evaluate the brand image of the business-to-business exhibition channel among heads of marketing. New studies to be launched in 2019 include a sponsorship practices study, an exhibition performance metrics study and industry insights Series reports, in addition to the release of remaining reports in the Attendee ROI Playbook Series.

“I am honored to serve as this year's chair for the CEIR Research Council alongside distinguished exhibition industry professionals who represent the various segments of our industry,” says Sequeira. “Their knowledge and expertise in determining the research areas that will most resonate with CEIR constituents is invaluable. I look forward to another successful year by providing our industry with highly relevant and actionable data and insights.”

The remaining members of the CEIR board of directors include:

Secretary/Treasurer Carrie Ferenac, President, CNTV (Convention News Television)
Immediate Past Chairperson Tom Cindric, Jr., CEM, Senior Vice President, Informa Global Exhibitions
Director Antonio Manuel Brito, CEM, CMP, CEO, Newevents – Organizacao de Feiras e Eventos, Lda
Director Marie Browne, Group Vice President, LaunchPad, Reed Exhibitions
Director Julie Coker Graham, President & CEO, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (SMG)
Director Chuck Grouzard, Executive Vice President, Exhibition Sales, GES
Director Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes, CEM, President and Chief Account Strategist, mdg
Director Buffy Levy, Director, Event Services, SmithBucklin Corporation
Director Tim McGuinness, Staff Vice President Global Expositions, International Council of Shopping Centers
Director Daniel McKinnon, CEM, Executive Vice President, Exhibitions & Events, Material Handling Institute (MHI)
Director Justine L. McVaney, Senior Vice President Event Planning & Operations, National Association of Broadcasters
Director Yulita Osuba, CMP, Deputy Director, Orange County Convention Center
Director Dennis Smith, MBA, President & CEO, Messe Frankfurt North America
Director Janet Sperstad, CMP, Program Director, Meeting and Event Management, Madison College
Ex-Officio Member David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA, President and CEO, IAEE