BizBash Names Framingham, MA, Event Professional to Its "Most Innovative People in Events" List.

Mary Dolaher is among those changing the face of the event industry.

MARCH 14, 2012 — In its second annual "Innovation Issue," BizBash Media names Mary Dolaher, Chief Executive Officer, IDG World Expo to its list of the 66 most innovative people in the event industry. Mary Dolaher is among the planners, designers, and other professionals who stand out as the drivers behind groundbreaking, purpose-driven concepts that shape the way we think about events today.
Mary Dolaher is Chief Executive Officer of IDG World Expo, recognized worldwide as a leader in exhibition management, producing more than 750 globally branded conferences and events in 55 countries. In this role, she leads IDG World Expo's broad suite of industry-leading expo events including Macworld, MacIT, E3, Anime Expo, and Enterprise Mobile Next (mNext). Additionally, Dolaher facilitates new business development, with a unique focus on creating market-leading events that feature dynamic year-round communities within each industry.

Before joining IDG World Expo in 2006, Dolaher was Senior Vice President at the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), where she planned and managed the video game industry's annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the world's leading interactive entertainment event. E3 was ranked in the top 25 trade shows in the country, and drew over 70,000 attendees and 400 exhibitors. Prior to her 12 years heading E3 , Dolaher was Director of Corporate Communications at IDG, where she managed communications functions for the chairman of the board.

In 2010, Dolaher was honored by BtoB's Media Business magazine as the first-ever "Top Innovator" in Events for her work on E3 Expo, and has been included in the publication's list of ""Who's Who in Business Publishing"" for the past three years. In 2009, Dolaher was recognized by the Women's Image Network as its inaugural Interactive Industry Achievement Honoree for her numerous contributions to the video game industry, and was selected as a delegate to the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit. In 2006, 2007, and 2008, Dolaher was named one of the top 25 people in the video game industry by Next Generation Magazine, and was the recipient of American Business Media's inaugural Gertrude Crain award recognizing the achievements of the country's leading female executives. In addition, she has been named as one of the 100 most influential people in the exhibition business by Tradeshow Week several times. Recently, E3 was named to Expo Magazine's Top 25-Fastest Growth Shows of 2011.

Ms. Dolaher also serves on the Board of the LA Inc. Advisory Committee and works closely with Children's Miracle Network, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the National Micro-Loan Foundation.

"The event industry is constantly in flux, with a steady stream of style trends, tech developments, and new ideas," said Chad Kaydo, editor in chief of BizBash. "We wanted to recognize the people who stay ahead of the curve and move the industry forward."

The article, "The 66 Most Innovative People," is featured in BizBash's March/April 2012 issue, revealed on March 14. The story also goes live on bizbash.com that same day.

BizBash's "Innovation Issue" also names the 10 most innovative brands that are using events as a crucial part of their marketing mix, including Coca-Cola, Target, and Red Bull.

For more information

Chad Kaydo, BizBash's editor in chief, is available for additional comments, and BizBash can connect you to any of the "Most Innovative People" for interviews. Photo portraits and video interview footage is available.

About BizBash

Founded in 2000, BizBash is the leading trade media for the event industry. Through its magazine, Web site, email newsletters, and trade shows, BizBash inspires effective events and meetings by sharing the latest ideas and strategies, providing essential tools and resources, and fostering community. BizBash serves the following markets: Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami/South Florida, New York, Orlando, Toronto, and Washington.

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