Rich Vallaster

Senior Director, Industry Relations and Community Engagement

Personify – A2Z Events

Rich Vallaster, CEM, DES, is Personify’s Senior Director of Industry Relations and Community Engagement. His career, deeply rooted in the events and association industry, has seen him collaborate with some of the most prominent associations, organizations, tradeshows, and events. As the Center for Exhibition Industry Research Council Chair (CEIR) and a dedicated member of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE) and American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Rich is actively involved in shaping the industry’s future.
Rich’s expertise has been recognized in leading publications such as The New York Times, Associations Now, Trade Show Executive Magazine, Skift Meetings, Meetings Today, Convene Magazine, and the Trade Show News Network.
His influence extends beyond the written word. He serves on several advisory committees and regularly speaks at prestigious events such as the ASAE Annual, ASAE MMC + TEC, AMCI, VSAE, PCMA, and Expo! Expo!, engaging with associations and event organizers. Additionally, Rich teaches in the IAEE Certified Events Manager program and has instructed undergraduate and accelerated MBA courses at Hood College.