You are a leader in an essential, creative, and global industry, and you help people communicate. We have supported this industry for 25 years, helping our members learn, connect, find inspiration, and belong to something special and valued. The International Live Events Association (ILEA) is a global community of thousands of creative event professionals whose skills, expertise, and experience have influenced some of the most influential live events worldwide.  

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The beginnings of ILEA Columbus were as an informal group of live event professionals, organized in 1989 with the announcement that AmeriFlora, a large floral exhibition, was coming to the United States and Columbus, Ohio. Upon this news, leaders in the special events industry came together. They decided that our industry required a more formal organization to advance learning and create communication across the entire industry. Our chapter founders, Larry Clark, Tim McCarthy, and Cheryl Richter, held a meeting and decided that this new organization would affiliate with a brand new international affiliation, the International Special Events Society (former ILEA). Leaders from all over our industry in Central Ohio joined and applied for Chapter status with the International Organization. We were awarded and became the 8th Chapter worldwide in 1992. 

 

ILEA is a community centered around celebrating all aspects of live event production and management. This network allows our members to deliver the very best work to their clients through collaboration, thought leadership, and idea sharing.