Unleashing the Full Potential of Your IAEE Membership: A Comprehensive Guide to Leveraging Your Member Benefits in 2025

Lisa Buchanan 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.

Hannah Deters, CEM, CMP is the Director ofEvents and Sustainability at the International Association of Exhibitions andEvents (IAEE). Hannah leads the sustainability initiatives at IAEE and isactively involved in the overall planning and execution of all IAEE andsubsidiary-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 shecoordinated Kansas’ only amateur Olympic Style sports festival.

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Karen joined the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) at the end of 2017. As Director, Global Business Development, Karen works closely with new and existing partners, sponsors, and exhibitors on showcasing their brand to the exhibition and events industry globally.

Prior to joining IAEE, Karen was with Association Forum for two years, Destinations International for eight years in various leadership roles; most recently as Executive Vice President of Sales & Business Development. Ms. Gonzales has worked for Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and started her career with Visit Denver as a senior city-wide sales manager.

Ms. Gonzales is past Chair for The Meetings’ Industry Fund, a past chair for the Events Industry Council’s Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Governance Committee and is active in several industry-related organizations. Karen has been accepted into the CMP Fellows Program and is a recognized tenured CMP who has made significant advancements in her career, as well as significant contributions through service and education to the meetings, exhibitions, and events industry.

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.

Stacy Powers is currently the Director, 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.