The International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ Expo! Expo! kicks off Dec. 4-6 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, featuring several days packed with educational sessions, networking events and a busy showfloor.

Educations sessions begin all day Dec. 4 with topics ranging from “How to Execute a Virtual Event: Five Key Building Blocks” to “Seven Rules for Content Marketing – Building Buzz Before, During and After an Event.”

In the afternoon, there will be a special remembrance gathering for industry veteran Joyce McKee, who passed away Nov. 19, 4:30 to 5 p.m. at the Orlando Hilton, Lobby Level, Lake Hart, Section B.

Also on Dec. 4, is the annual invitation-only IAEE and Society of Independent Show Organizer’s joint education session.

This year, a panel of four industry lawyers will discuss key issues impacting the industry in the areas of anti-trust, event cancellation, hotel issues, employment issues and non-compete agreements.

The excitement officially begins that evening with IAEE chapter receptions, followed by the opening party at Universal Studios Orlando, where attendees will have the opportunity to mingle and check out the park’s attractions.

The next morning’s opening general session will be conversation between two social media experts – Rick Calvert, founder of Blogworld, now called New Media Expo, and Eric Ly, co-founder of LinkedIn and president of Presdo.

Also during the general session, the chairman’s gavel will be passed from current chair, Doreen Biela, to incoming chair, Jason McGraw of InfoComm International.

The rest of the day, the Expo! Expo! showfloor is the star of the event, where attendees will have the opportunity to check out venues and destinations from across the U.S., as well as new technology and other suppliers from general service contractors to transportation companies.

In the evening, the invitation-only Chairman’s reception is on tap, with other events throughout the night, including Global Experience Specialists’ annual Humanity Rocks: A Celebration with a Cause event.

The charity event will benefit the Ronald McDonald House and will be held at The Grove in Orlando.

The next day is one filled with more educational sessions (full schedule HERE), with a luncheon sponsored by next year’s IAEE host – Visit Houston.

During the luncheon will be the annual IAEE Individual Awards program at which several people will be honored, including Gary Sain, who passed away suddenly earlier this year and was president and CEO of Visit Orlando and will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Pinnacle Award will be given to Patricia Farias Barlow, CEM, CEO of the Puerto Vallarta/International Convention Center and CEO of Farias Global Expos, and the Distinguished Service Award will be given to Jennifer Hoff, CEM, general manager of VP International.

Other honorees, to name a few, include Rob Hamlin, president and CEO of MarketArt, for the Committee/Task Force Volunteer of the Year Award; and the Young Professional of the Year Award will be given to Lauren Bauer, national sales manager at Shepard Exposition Services; Kristy Breaux, director of Computers and Expositions at the Texas Computer Education Association; and Mary Higham, CEM, manager, Exhibits at ASIS International.

Can’t make it to the meeting in person? bXb Online has it covered, partnering with CNTV and INXPO to offer a virtual extension of the event - “The Exhibitions and Events Industry in Action” that will have new IAEE president David Dubois, as well as others, speaking about the current state of affairs in the trade show industry.

The virtual session is on tap Dec. 5, 12 p.m. EST – register HERE.

The three-day event wraps up Dec. 6 in the evening with the closing party – Exposociety – at the Hilton Orlando.

Follow all the happenings at IAEE’s Expo! Expo! on TSNN’s Twitter accounts, TSNN_Rachel and TSNN_com_US and on the TSNN.com Web site.