A Strategic Collaboration to Strengthen Leadership and Capacity
The Audio Engineering Society (AES) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) have announced a new shared resource arrangement designed to strengthen leadership, expand operational capacity, and support long-term stability. Beginning December 16, the collaboration marks a significant step forward as the two organizations pool expertise and resources to better serve members, advance technical knowledge, and grow professional opportunities in their respective fields.
Key Leadership Appointments and Roles
As part of the arrangement, Colleen Harper will serve as Executive Director in a shared capacity with IES and AES. Harper previously led AES from 2019 to 2022, guiding the society through noteworthy growth and program development. Her return signals a continuity of leadership and a renewed focus on member services and industry impact.
Graham Kirk will also join in a shared role as Director of Business Operations, bringing a proven track record of cultivating industry partnerships and driving revenue growth. Kirk’s involvement underscores the partnership’s emphasis on sustainable operations and strategic collaborations that benefit AES members and the broader community.
IES President Wilson Dau described the arrangement as a demonstration of IES’s commitment to supporting technical and professional societies. “By sharing our resources and expertise, we can help AES continue its important mission while leveraging the operational efficiencies that benefit both organizations,” Dau said.
To accommodate the expanded workload, several current IES staff members will support AES and IES initiatives, and IES will hire three additional staff members. The aim is to enable a flexible, responsive team that can pivot to where resources are most needed while maintaining a strong, member-focused culture.
What This Means for AES Members and the Industry
AES President Gary Gottlieb noted that the combined leadership approach recalls a period when AES enjoyed strong growth in membership and event participation. “The last time we had the winning combination of Colleen, Graham, and Clyne Media, AES saw measurable gains in membership and event attendance. We believe this shared arrangement brings us back to that successful formula, while also giving AES access to the depth and flexibility of a larger team,” Gottlieb explained.
Industry observers suggest the collaboration will help AES better align its programs with the evolving needs of audio engineers, researchers, manufacturers, and practitioners around the world. The arrangement enables AES to pivot staff resources more effectively, ensuring that member services, education, and research projects remain central to decision-making and initiative development.
Benefits of a Shared Resource Model
Experts in association management recognize the advantages of a shared resource model, including greater operational efficiency, expanded program capacity, and the ability to attract additional talent. This partnership between AES and IES is framed as an open collaboration where staff resources can be deployed to high-impact goals such as conferences, conventions, ongoing global engagement, and year-round initiatives. Harper emphasized, “This arrangement empowers AES to focus squarely on serving its members and advancing audio innovation. By partnering with IES, we’re able to add new resources and tap into the strength of a team with critical experience in technical societies.”
Kirk echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of flexibility and strategic capacity. “This arrangement gives us the flexibility to expand opportunities, strengthen industry relationships, and deliver even more value to our members, whether through conferences or conventions, events or ongoing engagement,” he said.
Looking Ahead
Despite the changes, the AES remains steadfast in its mission: advancing the science and practice of audio by connecting engineers, researchers, manufacturers, and practitioners worldwide. The collaboration with IES is positioned to expand AES’s influence, enhance member services, and sustain a robust calendar of events. As AES and IES enter this new chapter, members can expect a continued focus on quality education, rigorous standards, and meaningful professional development opportunities.
