I’ve spent my career where associations, events, and technology collide, helping organizations make smarter decisions about how they grow, engage, and deliver value.
My work connects strategy to execution, especially around events, revenue, and emerging tools like AI.
Professionally, my path has taken me from places like a PR firm and higher education marketing to co-founding a marketing, research, and branding agency.
Events and associations have always been central to my journey, from running citywide outdoor events to launching a conference and trade show to serving on various collegiate, nonprofit, and association boards.
In my spare time (yes, you can laugh at that), I’ve taught and volunteered for some fantastic organizations.
All my experiences have one thing in common: they fed my desire to grow.
That’s why I’m here, and I love what I do now: working in events and with associations and AMCs, sharing what I know, and helping organizations grow
Fun & Unusual Facts
- Related to a signer of the Declaration of Independence
- Traveled to Australia six times
- Visited all four Walt Disney World Parks in a single day (eight times)
- Ran for political office (and lost)
The formal bio people always ask for…
Rich Vallaster, CEM, AAiP, QAS, is the Senior Director of Industry Relations and Thought Leadership at Momentive Software (formerly Personify) and the 2026 IAEE Bob Dallmeyer Educator of the Year. His career, deeply rooted in the events and association industry, has seen him collaborate with some of the most prominent associations, organizations, trade shows, and events. Rich served on the International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE) Board of Directors and chaired the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) Council. He is also an active member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).
Rich’s expertise has been recognized and shared in leading publications, including the New York Times, Trade Show Executive Magazine, Skift Meetings, Associations Now, Convene Magazine, Prevue Meetings & Incentives, and the Trade Show News Network.
His influence extends beyond the written word. He serves on several advisory committees and regularly speaks at events such as ASAE Annual, ASAE MMC + TEC, AMCI, PCMA, Expo! Expo!, and numerous state SAEs. Rich also wrote the foreword for Marlys Arnold’s exhibition book, Build a Better Trade Show Image.
In 2024, he joined the IAEE CEM Commission, and he will serve as its Chair in 2027. He teaches regularly in IAEE’s Certified in Exhibition Management program. In 2026, IAEE named him the Bob Dallmeyer Educator of the Year, an honor recognizing educators whose creativity, communication, and innovative teaching promote lifelong learning across the exhibitions and events industry. He has also taught in Hood College’s undergraduate and accelerated MBA programs.
Rich earned an MBA from Mount St. Mary’s University. He holds the Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) designation from IAEE, the Certified Association AI Professional (AAiP) credential, and the Qualified Association Specialist (QAS) designation from FSAE and the Association Societies Alliance.
In his spare time, he enjoys everything Disney, traveling, and spending time with his family.
