David Audrain

David D. Audrain, CEM, is President & CEO of Messe Frankfurt, Inc. the USA-based subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt GmbH. Audrain and his Atlanta-based team of 31 are responsible for the production of eight North American trade shows, as well as the exhibitor sales and attendee promotion to the USA and Canadian markets of more than 110 shows worldwide. Audrain is also President of Messe Frankfurt Mexico, where his Mexico City-based team of 9 are responsible for the production of two trade shows in Mexico, as well as the promotion of the worldwide Messe Frankfurt shows.

Audrain has managed eight Tradeshow Week 200 shows including the annual SEMA Show. Audrain was COO of private show management firm ConvExx from August 2001 through November 2005, having come from his position as General Manager for the Men’s Apparel Division of MAGIC with Advanstar Communications.
Previously, Audrain managed the Surfaces and NACE tradeshows for Hanley-Wood Exhibitions and was Vice President of Miller Freeman, Inc. in Dallas, Texas. At Miller Freeman he was responsible for the Sewn Products / Decorated Apparel Group, which included nine tradeshows and four monthly trade publications.

Audrain joined Miller Freeman after seven years with the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA). While directing the Southwest Foodservice Expo at TRA, Audrain grew the show by 47% in his first three years and negotiated a merger with a related industry show.

Before moving to the USA in 2989, Audrain owned a software development firm in Europe, creating high-end multi-currency accounting and investment management software.

Audrain is a Past Chairman of the International Association for Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), and currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) and the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR). He earned his Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) designation in 1995.

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