Hannah Deters, CEM, CMP, SEPC, is the Director of Events and Sustainability at the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). Hannah leads the sustainability initiatives at IAEE and is actively involved in the overall planning and execution of all IAEE and subsidiary-related events. Hannah received her BS in Recreation Management, Business Administration from Pittsburg State University. Prior to joining IAEE, Hannah was the Director of Operations for the Sunflower State Games where she coordinated Kansas’ only amateur Olympic Style sports festival.

Brandie K. Townsend is a sustainability strategist specializing in waste diversion and materials management for the exhibitions and events industry. Raised on a dairy farm south of Buffalo, NY, in Chautauqua, she brings a grounded, no-nonsense work ethic to the fast-paced world of tradeshows — pairing rural resilience with deep technical expertise. 

With a Master of Architecture from SCAD, Brandie has built a career at the intersection of design, operations, and sustainability. She leads large-scale diversion programs, develops circular-material strategies, and partners with venues, decorators, and exhibitors to keep show-floor materials out of landfills. Her work spans flooring recovery, C&D diversion, zero-waste planning, and sustainable product development, with hands-on experience at major national events.

A TRUE Advisor, LEED AP, and OSHA-certified professional, Brandie has been featured in Waste Today Magazine and has presented nationally on deconstruction, reuse, and circular manufacturing. She currently serves on the Rome, Georgia, Planning and Zoning Commission and previously served on the city’s Historic Preservation Commission. Brandie is known for building strong partnerships, simplifying complex waste streams, and creating practical, scalable solutions that help the events industry operate more sustainably, one show floor at a time.

With her background in corporate event planning, paired with her diligent attention to detail and creativity, Avery Evans has been a valued addition to the Grit Team. Avery leads with a customer-driven, problem-solving mindset, to ensure the events the team produces are executed flawlessly from planning to execution.

With nearly a decade of experience in sustainable events, Julia Spangler, SEPC, brings keen insight and practical know-how to clients at any stage of their sustainability journey. As a sustainability manager for Events & Experiences at Honeycomb Strategies, Julia helps clients increase compost collection, expand donation programs, and measure progress toward sustainability goals. Through her guidance, clients have achieved EIC Platinum Certification, implemented comprehensive zero-waste strategies, and included social sustainability activations to benefit local communities and amplify audience participation in sustainability efforts. Julia is a skilled sustainability educator who has led courses with The Global Sustainable Tourism Council and featured as a guest speaker on many occasions. 

Prior to joining Honeycomb Strategies, Julia owned independent sustainability consultancy Ecosystem Events. She has educated event professionals around the world about sustainability and led waste diversion programs at dozens of events, resulting in waste diversion rates as high as 93%. In her free time, you can find her playing guitar in her folk music band or cooking up fresh veggies from the hobby farm where she resides with her husband, cat, and chickens. 

Kelly Massey is a Managing Partner and CEO at Grit Productions and Expositions. Kelly has been a leader in the meetings and events industry for over 25 years.  He has helped hundreds of clients develop and execute innovative and memorable event strategies that maximize revenues, branding, and attendee experience on the show floor. Primarily functioning in the Executive Producer role, Kelly has managed diverse B2B and B2C programs such as Annual Meetings, User Group Conferences, Sales Kick Offs, and unique Brand Activation programs, respectively ranging from 200-5,000+ attendees.  He lends his expertise in all aspects of Corporate Event Production and Operations with a focus on adding production value and collaboration between all internal and external team members. 

Sydney Rhea, CEM, serves as the Sustainability Project Delivery Manager for Informa, leading sustainability initiatives across the company’s Agriculture, Aviation, Engineering, Fashion, HIMSS, Licensing, Infrastructure & Construction, New Hope, and SupplySide event portfolios. With over a decade of experience in the hospitality and event management industry, she has been an Operations leader and Event Manager for Informa, the world’s largest trade show organizer.  Sydney is also Chair of Meetings Industry Council of Colorado and was honored with TSE Magazines’ 2024 Women To Watch Award. When not working or advocating for sustainability within the events industry, Sydney enjoys spending time with her family at their mini homestead. She loves tending to her chickens, greenhouse, and the 75+ fruit trees and myriad of fruit bushes they grow to harvest fresh produce.

Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM is the President and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE). As IAEE’s president, Flanagan is responsible for the management of IAEE’s full-time professional staff, producing the annual business operating plan and budget, overseeing the support of all meetings of governance units, leading business development, directing fund raising efforts, advocating for the industry and the organization’s members, providing organizational leadership and strategic counsel to the board. Also, she serves as the association’s representative with industry coalitions, partner organizations and strategic alliances.

Prior to joining PPAI, Flanagan was the Director of Content Strategy and Development at the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), where she was responsible for steering strategy and the development and delivery of all PPAI professional development and editorial offerings. Flanagan spent 6 years in the medical industry serving in various roles overseeing operations, purchasing, revenue cycle management, marketing and business development. 

Flanagan began her career with Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and spent 12 years in various roles including Executive Vice President of Professional Development where she oversaw operations, including all strategic partnerships, the design and delivery of all professional development offerings and meetings management. She was named one of the 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry by Successful Meetings in 2017 and named to BizBash’s Inaugural Top 500 in the Events Industry in 2018 and 2019. In 2021, she was listed in Meetings Today as a 2021 Trendsetter. In 2021, she obtained her GBAC Trained Technician Certificate of Completion from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA. Flanagan received her bachelor's degree from Texas Christian University and her master’s in education from the University of Arkansas specializing in Meeting, Tourism and Recreation Management. She obtained her Certified in Exhibition Management designation in 2021. Flanagan is a 5th generation Texan, loves sports and the outdoors and spending time with family.

Brian Pagel is the Executive Vice President of Business Development and oversees the Residential and Commercial Connections portfolio at Emerald X. In 2026 Brian serves as the IAEE Board of Directors Chairperson. Brian began his career at Shore Varrone in 1998 and has worked in a variety of leadership positions with Bill Communications, VNU, Nielsen Expositions and Emerald. 

Brian has produced nearly 100 events in his career, successfully repositioned several struggling properties and was a part of the deal team that acquired CEDIA Expo in 2017.  In 2013 he helped to champion an effort to co-locate KBIS with the International Builders Show (IBS), creating Design and Construction Week. Brian holds a degree in Organizational Communications from the University of Kansas and is an active volunteer with both the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE).  He is also a frequent industry speaker, blogger and guest columnist. Brian is originally from Littleton, Colorado, but currently lives and works in Alpharetta, Georgia.  

Lisa Buchanan, CEM, is IAEE’s Senior Vice President of Operations where she directs the general management of IAEE staff and is responsible for the association’s various departments including membership, chapter relations, digital strategy, marketing and communications, public relations, leading efforts towards growing IAEE membership and exploring new revenue streams. Previously she held the role of Vice President, Engagement and Digital Strategy and was formerly the Director of Membership and Chapter Engagement at the International Association for Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), where she was responsible for all membership and chapter initiatives across the globe. She works with the various chapter boards and committees to identify member needs and membership products and services. 

Prior to joining IAEE, Buchanan spent 10 years in the medical and dental industry serving in various roles overseeing operations, purchasing, revenue cycle management, marketing, and business development. Buchanan began her career with Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and spent 8 years in various roles including Director of Global Chapter Relations and Member Services where she oversaw all membership and chapter functions for over 50 chapters worldwide.

Stacy Powers, CEM, MS, is currently the Vice President of Learning Experiences at IAEE, where she is responsible for the development and planning of IAEE’s education programs which include Expo! Expo! education, the Women’s Leadership Forums, Leadership Institute, CEIR Predict, MATSO Community Meet Up Education, Consumer Events Education and IAEE webinar content. She previously held the position of Senior Education Manager.

Before joining IAEE, Stacy was Professional Development Manager at Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). Prior to that she spent 12 years as a Director of Human Resources and Compliance within the medical and dental industry. With an initial background in Psychology, she began her career as a counselor assisting at-risk youth, battered women and children. After completing her Master of Science Degree in Human Resources and Training, she worked for Meeting Professionals International (MPI) managing various educational programs and events.

Stacie Glenn, CEM, began her career in the exhibition and events industry with IAEE in August 2019. She currently serves as the Senior Manager of Member Experiences at IAEE, where she is dedicated to enhancing member value and supporting membership growth and retention. In her role, Stacie manages Memberlink – IAEE’s online forum and career center, while also working closely with various committees to identify member needs and develop relevant products and services. Additionally, she oversees the maintenance of the member database, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience for all members. 

Stephanie Phillips serves as IAEE's Director of Digital Engagement and Member Experiences, overseeing the organization's digital and data technology infrastructure as well as member and customer engagement strategies. In her role, she leads initiatives to drive membership growth and retention, manages the membership team, and collaborates with various committees to enhance member value.

With over 14 years of experience in association management, Stephanie has a proven track record in membership development, marketing, volunteer coordination, event planning, and program management. She is deeply passionate about creating exceptional member experiences and leveraging digital platforms to optimize engagement.

Jennifer Potter has over 15 years of experience in the industry. She began her career with a show organizer assisting in developing the conference programs for several of their largest trade shows. Jennifer started with IAEE in 2010 and manages the CEM Learning Program.

Jody M. Shaw, CEM, PMP, MS, Prosci, is the Director of Learning Experiences for the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). She joined IAEE in June 2025 and she is responsible for educational logistics for webinars and annual conferences. She oversees the IAEE Learning Management System (LMS) and assists with the IAEE Education Committee, Expo! Expo! and the IAEE Leadership Institute, and leads the IAEE's Independent Organizer and IAEE's Emerging Leaders programming. Throughout Jody's career education, events, innovation, and creating a positive impact for non-profits have always been her focus. Jody's experience in events for the last two decades has ranged from overseeing innovative and nimble small events with 60 attendees to large in-person events with up to 25k attendees. Her project management experience has included re-designing Learning Management Systems, creating automated workflows, and large-scale multi-year and multi-Million-Dollar capital improvement projects.