Dexter King, CFE, has served as the executive director of the International Association of Assembly Managers, Inc. (IAAM) since 2001. As a past president of IAAM and a 33-year veteran of the sports and entertainment industry, Mr. King has experienced management at all levels and in all types of public venues. Prior to IAAM, he served as the regional general manager of SMG of Alaska, overseeing five public venues in the Alaska region. He has also held the position of executive director of the Boise (Idaho) State University Pavilion, where he hosted many high profile events including NCAA and NBA events as well as performances by a wide variety of artists and personalities. Before moving to Boise, Mr. King was the executive director for five public venues at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Over the course of Mr. King’s 28 years of involvement with IAAM, he was noted for his proactive role in education. As a leader in the Association, he was instrumental in the founding of the Public Assembly Management School at Oglebay, the Arena Management Conference, the Leadership Institute, and the University Venue Management Conference along with the development of the core competencies Body of Knowledge Text Book. Along with the “Best Practice” Guidelines for Safety and Security for all major public venues, and the emergence of the Association as an advocate for public facility managers, King has devoted his career to enhancing the profession. He has also encouraged partnerships and cooperation for all entities with a vested interest in public venues. In addition, IAAM serves as the secretariat of the World Council for Venue Management, of which Mr. King is secretary general.

As a long-time contributor and executive in the industry, Mr. King has devoted his life to the education and enhancement of venue management leaders around the world. In 1981, Mr. King was the recipient of the Francis Deering Award for distinguished meritorious service to District 6 of IAAM and earned his CFE (Certified Facility Executive) credentials in 1987. He was named as an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Venue Management Association (Asia & Pacific) LTD, (VMA), 1994. In 1997, King was recognized with the highest industry honor as a recipient of the prestigious Charles A. McElravy Award for outstanding contribution to the profession.