Julie Smith, CEM-AP, CTA, is senior vice president, business development, GES, where she manages a portfolio of business and GES’ West Coast exhibition sales team. Smith is a past chair of IAEE, and a past president of ESCA, and has served on many committees and the boards of both organizations, as well as being IAEE’s Inaugural Woman of Achievement, and earning ESCA’s Lifetime Achievement award, among other honors. She is chair of the Event Industry Council’s APEX new business model working group and led the EIC COVID 19 business recovery working group that developed the B2B and B2C Exhibitions accepted practices guide. A frequent speaker and contributor, Smith is also a mentor for SDSU’s School of Hospitality & Tourism graduate program; and is a CEM faculty member who has taught CEM modules in seven countries.