Beloved Trade Show Industry Veteran Bob Dallmeyer Passes Away

February 7, 2014

Known and beloved by many, the trade show industry lost 50-year veteran Bob Dallmeyer after a two-month battle with throat cancer.

In 1985, Bob launched a global exhibition management company – RD International – at which he consulted for hundreds of organizations, including the National Association of Music Merchants, Kallman Worldwide, AT&T, IBM and H.H. Backer & Associates, Advanstar Communications and Bartizan connect, to name a few.

Bob also provided North American representation for several destinations, such as Florence, Italy; Monterrey, Mexico; Brussels, Belgium; and Curacao.

He also co-hosted a radio show called “Expo Today” on KEIV in Los Angeles, as well as being a published author in not only trade show industry publications, such as a column for the Trade Show Exhibitors Association called “Bits From Bob”, but also for The New York Times and, to top it off, he was a poet, with his latest work called – “My Life is Poetry”.

Bob also was very involved in giving back to the industry, heading both the International Association of Exhibitions and Events and TSEA.

He was a fierce advocate for education in the industry and regularly taught CEM classes, as well as “Exhibition Management” classes at George Washington University and at the World Trade Institute in New York’s World Trade Center.

In addition, Bob spoke all over the world – Spain, Portugal, China, Singapore, Peru and Brazil – among many others. He literally has delivered more than 1,000 speeches and seminars over the years.

IAEE has set up the Bob Dallmeyer Education Fund, and his family has asked in lieu of cards or flowers to please send any gestures to the fund below.

Contributions by check can be sent to: IAEE, Bob Dallmeyer Education Fund, 12700 Park Central Drive, Suite 308, Dallas, Texas, 75251. For contributions by credit card, please contact Beverly Elliott at 1+ (972) 687-9203, or belliott@iaee.com.

Editor’s Note:

Bob was one of the first people I met in the industry when I started out at Tradeshow Week. I knew absolutely nothing at all about trade shows, and I was lucky enough to have Bob take me under his wing and show me the ropes.  He is an inspiration on all levels and in all ways, and I am grateful to have known him. – Rachel Wimberly

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