February 2008 5-minute interview: Randy Bauler, Corporate Relations and Exhibits Director, American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
Bauler, who has worked in the exhibition industry for more than 30 years, is the incoming Chairman of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). He’s worked for AACN for 11 years and is responsible for directing the sales and marketing of exhibit space and sponsorships for the association’s National Teaching Institute and Critical Care Exposition, which attracts more than 6,500 nurses and features more than 400 educational sessions.
EXPO: As the incoming 2008 IAEE Chairman, what are the two to three most important issues that the association will be working on in the next year? Bauler: I hope to build on 2007 Chairman Jeff Price’s effort to increase participation and involvement by IAEE members. We have many talented professionals who belong to IAEE, and we should invite and encourage them to get involved, share their expertise and build on IAEE’s strong foundation of networking and learning from one another.
Second, I believe IAEE should actively support a drug-free workplace, and we should work with our facility and contractor members to encourage a drug-free work environment. Third, I hope to encourage show organizers to educate and celebrate their audiences, just as IAEE educates and celebrates professionals in the exhibition and event industry.
EXPO: How did you first get involved with IAEE? What would you say to younger industry professionals who might be thinking about getting involved? Bauler: I first got involved with IAEE (then IAEM) at the chapter level, serving as a Southwest Chapter committee chair, then director and finally a chapter officer. I earned my CEM (Certified in Exhibition Management) designation in 2000 and continued my active involvement at the national level as a CEM faculty member. Like most things, the more you get involved and share, the more you benefit.
EXPO: Like most medical shows, your show features a large continuing-education component. Have you tried any new technologies to make sessions more engaging, or employed any new techniques to make organizing continuing education classes easier? Bauler: AACN has been offering electronic learning options for more than 10 years. One of our initial efforts, called Computer Camp, had 16 computer stations to teach computer basics. That concept has now evolved into a Self Study Pavilion, which features more than 200 stations offering all types of e-learning and mobile resources. The association has also increased its menu of Webinars, PDA programs, Webcasts, podcasts and online learning programs to respond to our members’ learning preferences and schedules.
When I visit healthcare and medical shows around the United States, I’m seeing more and more interactive learning opportunities, including hands-on labs, workshops and demonstrations. It’s adult learning based on learn-by-doing that invites attendees to touch, feel and experience the tools, equipment and procedures used in healthcare settings. It’s not just sitting in a classroom.
More from EXPO’s 5-minute interview EXPO: Your show is moving to McCormick Place in Chicago for the first time. What brought that about? Bauler: Our show moves from city to city each year, but we’re excited that we’ll be able to hold the show in Chicago for the first time in May 2008. We expect a strong attendance based on the numerous medical and healthcare facilities located in and around Chicago. NIT 2008 will be held at McCormick Place West, which opened recently and is designed to accommodate medical meetings that have a lot of educational programming and meeting space requirements. It’s challenging working with a new facility for the first time, but McCormick Place and the Chicago Convention and Tourism Board are making our first visit a positive one.
EXPO: At the end of the year, what do you hope to leave behind as your legacy as IAEE Chairman? Bauler: If we’re successful with the 2008 goals as outlined, then IAEE will have motivated more volunteers to step forward and get actively involved at the chapter or international level by December. We’ll have helped to shine a spotlight on the topic of drugs in the exhibition and event industry, and we’ll have made progress working with other stakeholders, such as facilities and contractors to implement better programs promoting a drug-free work environment. Lastly, we’ll have promoted the idea that shows that educate and celebrate their stakeholders will do better and are better for the industry.
EXPO: Many medical shows are finding that they’ve got to make a better case for attending meetings because there are so many options now available for obtaining continuing-education credits. Have you faced this challenge? Bauler: Nurses always want more continuing education. We’re attracting them by offering so much – more than 400 educational options during the six-day conference. Nurses seem to enjoy the face-to-face, live educational experience where they can touch and feel, and have the validation of their peers. We also encourage our exhibitors to make the show floor an extension of the educational opportunities. It’s our way of educating and celebrating nurses. It’s something you can’t get another way.
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