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The Experience of Live Events

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Liz Irving -

Liz Irving

CEO | Clarion Events North America

Liz’s endless curiosity, desire for learning, and passion for building relationships infuse her responsibilities as the Chief Executive Officer of Clarion Events North America. With over 25 years of experience in the events industry, she has transformed businesses through her strategic vision, customer-centric approach, and dedication to deliver measurable commercial outcomes.

In her current role, Liz oversees the strategic direction for Clarion's North American business, focusing on customer and behavioral insights, commercial effectiveness, digital platform development, and innovation. She collaborates with portfolio directors to identify growth opportunities that enhance existing events and develop new digital offerings. Liz's forward-thinking mindset ensures that both face-to-face and digital experiences evolve to deliver ever-increasing value for customers and communities.

At the heart of Liz’s leadership is a commitment to fostering a culture of employee engagement, collaboration, and innovation. She has built an environment at Clarion that nurtures inclusivity, creativity, and continuous improvement, empowering teams to deliver exceptional outcomes for customers. Recognizing the importance of a thriving workplace culture, Liz prioritizes initiatives that inspire trust, encourage diverse perspectives, and drive shared success. Her efforts have made Clarion a destination for top talent and a hub for industry innovation.

Liz’s passion for events began early, helping her father set up his local food distributor events. This hands-on experience sparked a lifelong interest in the industry. She later worked in roles with the Convention & Visitors Bureau during college before joining the corporate events world. Prior to Clarion, Liz spent 14 years at Reed Exhibitions in various marketing leadership roles, including overseeing the leading jewelry media brand, JCK.

Liz earned her bachelor’s degree from Niagara University, a master’s degree from the University of New Haven, and a digital marketing certificate from Cornell University. She remains deeply connected to the industry, serving as the Chair of SISO’s Marketing Special Interest Group, a member of SISO’s Board of Directors and UFI- The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry Board of Directors. Liz is an active participant in the Women In Exhibitions Network North American Chapter and several Event Technology Advisory Boards.

Outside of work, Liz is dedicated to her family and community. She volunteers with her sons’ sports teams, managing communications and events, and is proud to call Connecticut home, where she lives with her husband, two boys, two dogs, and a cat.