The Audio Engineering Society (AES) has announced a new shared resource arrangement with the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), marking what it is calling an important step forward in strengthening the organisation’s leadership, operational capacity and long-term growth and stability.
Having previously served as AES Executive Director from 2019-2022, Colleen Harper takes the role of Executive Director, serving AES in a shared role with IES. Graham Kirk will also again work with AES in a shared role as Director of Business Operations, reinforcing a successful track record of industry partnerships and revenue growth.
‘This partnership represents IES’ commitment to supporting technical and professional societies,’ says IES President, Wilson Dau. ‘By sharing our resources and expertise, we can help AES continue its important mission while leveraging the operational efficiencies that benefit both organisations.’
In this new relationship, some current IES staff will support both IES and AES initiatives, and IES will hire three additional staff members to accommodate the increased workload.
‘The last time we had the winning combination of Colleen, Graham and Clyne Media, AES saw measurable gains in membership and event attendance,’ says AES President Gary Gottlieb. ‘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.’
The AES leadership emphasised that this transition provides all the benefits of working with an association management company (AMC), including the ability to pivot staff resources to where they are most needed in an open collaboration between like-minded organisations. ‘
This arrangement empowers AES to focus squarely on serving its members and advancing audio innovation,’ Harper says. ‘By partnering with IES, we’re able to add new resources and tap into the strength of a team that already has critical experience working with a highly technical society. It allows AES’s membership and volunteer leadership to focus on what AES does best: connecting our global audio community, supporting education and research, and creating world-class events. Importantly, it ensures that members remain at the heart of every decision we make and every initiative we pursue.’
‘I have seen firsthand its passion and creativity of this community; I know how important it is to have the right team and resources in place to support our members and partners,’ Kirk concurs. ‘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 global engagement throughout the year.’
The AES remains committed to promoting the science and practice of audio by bringing together engineers, researchers, manufacturers and practitioners worldwide. The partnership with IES ensures AES is strategically positioned to expand its influence, enhance member services, and continue hosting world-class events.
The new relationship between AES and IES takes effect in December 2025.
More: https://aes2.org