Dan Darby, CEM is VP, Group Show Director, Antique, Jewelry and Watch Shows for Emerald Expositions and a member of IAEE’s Chapter Leaders Council. Dan has been an IAEE member for 16 years. He recently shared with IAEE how serving in a leadership role within his chapter has expanded his understanding and involvement not only in the industry, but his community as well.
How did you get involved in leadership within your chapter?
I was recruited to become involved by Daniel McKinnon, a former co-worker, after attending the 2011 Southeast Chapter’s Summer Classic in Orlando.
What chapter committees do you serve on currently and/or have served on in the past?
I am the current SE Chapter Board Chairperson and previously served on the Membership Committee.
What have you gotten out of volunteering for your chapter?
Participation has been very rewarding. Certainly the connections and face-to-face interaction are beneficial – those are the backbones of our industry – but the opportunity to work with a wider variety of venues, companies and charitable organizations around metro-Atlanta has been personally rewarding. Although I have lived outside Atlanta my entire life, these are opportunities I doubt I would have taken advantage of without IAEE.
How are you fostering future volunteer leaders?
The Southeast Chapter has embraced IAEE’s commitment to helping mentor our YPs and, as one of our group’s MPs (Mature Professionals), I am working directly with the 15 active YPs from my company to be more involved with the association.
What do you find most satisfying about having stepped into a leadership role within your chapter?
I think each chairperson finds a particular area where they feel they can affect growth – maybe it’s education or membership or sponsorships. As a former marketing director, I am most excited to work with our committees to develop new programs to promote the association, chapter participation and our full slate of meetings and events (and without breaking the budget as marketers are reputed to do!).
What is your favorite chapter activity?
The Southeast Summer Classic! Two and a half days of education, networking and socializing with industry members at a great Southeast location. Keep your calendar open for 2018’s Southeast Summer Classic! All IAEE members are invited to attend!
List all IAEE Councils, Committees and task forces you are currently involved in aside from your chapter activities.
CEM Learning Program Faculty, an incredible opportunity to meet members on a national and international level and to engage in some very thought-provoking discussions about our industry and its best practices.
