blog

The Exhibitor Advocate Welcomes IAEE’s Acquisition of Exhibitor Group

Exhibitor Advocate — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 22:05:16 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Exhibitor Advocate Welcomes IAEE’s Acquisition of Exhibitor Group

February 17, 2026 – The Exhibitor Advocate, the leading non-profit association dedicated to the success of trade show exhibitors, welcomes the announcement of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) acquisition of Exhibitor Group. This strategic move signals a continued momentum in recognizing exhibitors as critical stakeholders within the exhibitions and events industry.

For years, The Exhibitor Advocate has promoted a unified industry in which exhibitors are integral partners, not merely revenue sources. IAEE’s acquisition of Exhibitor Group is an important move toward bridging the historical gap between show organizers and the companies that invest in them. By bringing Exhibitor Group—and by extension, the exhibitor voice—into the IAEE fold, there is a renewed expectation that the needs, challenges, and contributions of exhibitors, prioritized by The Exhibitor Advocate, will now be recognized by the rest of the industry.

Central to this transition is the preservation of the Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) program. As one of the premier certification programs for exhibitors, CTSM is vital to professional development and industry excellence. Many members of The Exhibitor Advocate hold the CTSM certification and participate in the program. We look forward to IAEE building upon and strengthening the program. The investment in the CTSM program ensures that exhibitors continue to have access to high-quality education and certification, as well as best practices in the industry as they are identified.

Jessica Sibila, Executive Director of The Exhibitor Advocate, said, “We look forward to working with IAEE to bring the voice of the exhibitor to an association that values an inclusive exhibitions and events industry.”

This acquisition presents a rare chance to reshape the industry landscape. The Exhibitor Advocate is eager to collaborate with IAEE to promote efforts that ensure a strong industry characterized by fair practices, open communication, and a sincere dedication to providing exhibitors with an optimal marketing environment.

About The Exhibitor Advocate
The Exhibitor Advocate is a non-profit association dedicated to providing unbiased, holistic support that empowers exhibitors. Made by exhibitors, for exhibitors, the organization works directly with show management, general service contractors, suppliers, and other industry stakeholders to advance policies and practices that benefit the entire ecosystem. Through data-driven insights, advocacy, and collaboration, The Exhibitor Advocate ensures that exhibitors have a voice in the ever-changing trade show industry. For more information, visit www.exhibitoradvocacy.com.

Media Contact:
Jessica Sibila, CTSM, CMP
Executive Director, The Exhibitor Advocate
303-902-7100
jessica@exhibitoradvocacy.com

Charged Removal – EXHIBITOR Magazine The Secret to Winning with Exhibitors, Even with Skyrocketing Costs

Test — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:23:14 GMT

Charged Removal – EXHIBITOR Magazine

Test — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:21:17 GMT

Hidden Fees You Didn’t Know You Were Paying

Test — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:08:32 GMT

Chriss Fortier-Rolfe - The Exhibitor Advocate

Test — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:53:26 GMT

The Exhibitor Advocate Welcomes Three Industry Leaders to Board of Directors

Test — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:27:29 GMT

The Exhibitor Advocate and EVOLIO Marketing Release 2026 Event Industry Report

Test — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:15:05 GMT

The New Reality of Tradeshow Selection

Test — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 22:53:49 GMT

2025 Impact Report

Test — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 19:06:56 GMT

In just three short years, The Exhibitor Advocate has grown from a shared vision into a powerhouse for change, dedicated wholly to your success. Our 2025 Impact Report highlights how we are moving the needle for exhibitors through data-driven advocacy, real-world cost savings, and collaborative industry relationships. Inside, you’ll discover how we’ve saved exhibitors thousands per event, launched essential educational tools like the CEM Exhibitor Relations course, and amplified your voice on the industry’s biggest stages. We invite you to explore the full report to see how our community is building a more transparent, efficient, and thriving trade show ecosystem for everyone.

Meet Jessica Sibila Executive Director, The Exhibitor Advocate

Test — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:34:26 GMT

The name Jessica Sibila might be unfamiliar to some of you, but I have been a part of the exciting and often challenging event management industry for over twenty years.

Background
Like so many of you, I fell into the industry and then fell in love with the industry.

My career began when I interviewed for an operations role in a company that produced trade shows. Admittedly I knew very little about trade shows but three weeks after being hired, I was on a plane to my first event and I’ve never looked back.

The opportunity to lead and grow The Exhibitor Advocate fulfills my dream of giving exhibitors both a voice, and the tools, to advocate for themselves in this industry. One of the major goals of we have is offering support to one another as we navigate the challenges and intricacies of the events we manage.

Exhibit Managers wear multiple hats and are often the sole responsible individual and main source of information for events they manage. The wealth of experience embedded in The Exhibitor Advocate is a group of like-minded, seasoned experts in the field, that are passionately invested in sharing and building our knowledge base.