As I prepare to wind down my tenure as your President & CEO, I want to take a moment to thank this incredible industry for 14 remarkable years in this leadership role. It has truly been the ride of a lifetime.
When I began in 2011, we were still the National School Supply & Equipment Association (NSSEA). Our membership was built around independent teacher stores, school furniture dealerships and the manufacturers and suppliers of curriculum, manipulatives, classroom décor, educational toys, and school furniture. Our flagship event was EDexpo, with the School Equipment Show playing a smaller but important role.
But the industry was changing. As the internet reshaped distribution, many of our retail members closed their doors, and EDexpo attendance dwindled to the point where we had to retire the event. At the same time, however, we saw an opportunity with the expansion of research about the importance of learning spaces in achieving desired student outcomes. We rebranded NSSEA as The Education Market Association (EDmarket) and relaunched the School Equipment Show as EDspaces.
At first, EDspaces was primarily for manufacturers and dealers. But two pivotal moves transformed it:
- Partnering with the American Institute of Architects Committee on Architecture for Education (AIA CAE) to co-locate their fall conference with us.
- Enhancing an existing Scholarship Program that brought key education professionals with major building and renovation projects to the event, covering their costs to ensure participation.
These decisions were game changers. Suddenly, EDspaces became the place where dealers, resellers, architects, designers, and buyers came together. On average, the event has represented $12–$14 billion in active building and renovation projects every year since.
As our focus shifted toward learning environments, our influence grew. The EDspaces education program became second to none. Essentials Magazine articles gained national visibility. Our webinars became a trusted source of forward-looking knowledge. EDspaces rose to become the most important event in the educational facilities marketplace.
The pandemic tested us, but out of that challenge came opportunity. In 2021, we partnered with Emerald, ensuring EDspaces’ future through a 20-year agreement, with EDmarket continuing as the primary sponsor and steward of educational content.
With event logistics in trusted hands, our board and industry leaders charted a new strategic direction — one centered on community and thought leadership. Over the past four years, this vision has blossomed into initiatives like:
- Bold Women Collective, now connecting hundreds of professional women each month.
- NexGen Rising Stars, celebrating and mentoring emerging leaders.
- EDmarket Certified Learning Place Specialist (ECLPS), equipping professionals with research-based insights on how environments impact learning.
- Chairman’s Roundtable, giving executives a forum to explore trends and challenges shaping our industry.
Together, these programs have strengthened our community, elevated new voices, and deepened our collective impact on the future of education.
None of this would have been possible without the countless board and council members who shared their time, talent, friendship, and yes, treasure to guide us forward. My heartfelt thanks also go to our incredible staff — Karen Prince, Adrienne Dayton, Kelly Fisher, and Heather Tuley. Your creativity, commitment, and teamwork have made the work not only impactful but also fun.
And finally, to our members: thank you. Your participation, engagement, and support make everything possible. I encourage you to stay active, involve your teams, and consider serving on a board or council. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out — I can promise you that.
While my exact retirement date is still to be determined, I look forward to seeing many of you at EDspaces and thanking you in person. Leading EDmarket for the past 14 years has been the greatest honor of my professional career. Together, we have built something enduring — and the future has never looked brighter.