Cathy Breden, CAE, CMP
Cathy Breden, CAE, CMP
Executive Director, Center for Exhibition Industry Research
Cathy Breden, CAE, CMP, is the Executive Director of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR). She began her association management career in 1984 and has served as a member of several boards of directors, as key staff contact, chief staff executive, volunteer leader, and consultant. Breden earned the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 1990, and earned the coveted “Certified Association Executive” (CAE) designation in 1995.
In her role at CEIR, Breden manages the day-to-day activities and business operations of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, including working with the Research Committee to identify topics for study that validate the exhibition industry as a marketing medium.
Breden attributes her success in the association management industry to being customer-centric. She adapted what Howard Schults of Starbucks has said to this: “We are not in the exhibition business, we are in the people business serving exhibitions.”
Breden also serves as chief operating officer of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events. Breden is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), and the Society for Human Resource Management. She serves on the Convention Industry Council’s (CIC) Certified Meeting Professional as vice chair. Breden was recognized by DFWAE in 2005 with their Excellence Award. She wrote the Marketing, Promotion, Publicity Chapter of The Convention Industry Council Manual, 7th Edition, A Working Guide for Effective Meetings & Conventions. She and her husband, Lou, reside in Dallas and have two children, Andy and Nick.
