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Gale Portwine, CTSM, Earns Diamond-level Certified Trade Show Marketer Credentials
2/9/2026
ROCHESTER, MN. - Exhibitor Group, the award-winning leader in trade show and corporate event marketing education, is proud to announce that Gale Portwine has now earned Diamond-level Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) credentials.
With 25 years of experience as a trade show professional, Portwine serves as Senior Specialist - Events & Meetings at Aon Affinity, focusing on trade show strategy, campaigns, and management.
"Achieving Diamond Status took me on several journeys through the years, said Portwine. "I navigated numerous obstacles including losing a cherished job, the pandemic, and some serious life changes that affected my ability to complete my continuing education toward Diamond Status as quickly as I hoped. But I stayed determined, and I take the most pride in giving back to my trade show community through presenting at EXHIBITORLIVE several times and serving on EXHIBITOR Magazine’s Editorial Advisory Board, as well as being a CTSM candidate Mentor and Advisor."
"I can’t stress enough the value a CTSM certification has provided me throughout my career in obtaining and keeping a seat at the table," added Portwine. "Achieving CTSM Diamond Status has taken me on a long and winding journey of highs and lows, and in the end this industry-leading accomplishment is one of the proudest moments of my trade show management career. I dedicate this Diamond Level upgrade to my parents who taught me to never quit and believe in myself and my potential."
"Congratulations to Gale Portwine on earning his Diamond Level Upgrade, an impressive achievement and a testament to his dedication and hard work in the industry," said Monica Myhill, CMP, CRP, CPTD / Chief Learning Strategist and CTSM Director.
The CTSM Diamond-level classification was established in 2011 to recognize the graduates who have chosen to lead through professional contributions to the CTSM program and the industry. CTSM graduates have the option of adding on to their core certification at four different levels of upgrades: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond. More than 3,000 trade show and corporate event marketing professionals are currently enrolled in the CTSM program, and to date just 39 CTSM graduates have achieved Diamond Level certification.
CTSM candidates receive extensive training in trade show marketing, in conjunction with Northern Illinois University Outreach. Learn more about the CTSM program and how it can elevate your trade show marketing career at www.CTSM.com.
About Aon
Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that protect and grow their businesses. www.aon.com
About Exhibitor Group
The leader in trade show and corporate event marketing education, Exhibitor Group publishes EXHIBITOR magazine, an award-winning publication featuring best practices in trade show marketing. EXHIBITOR's learning events include: EXHIBITORLIVE, The Conference and Exhibition for Trade Show and Event Marketers; EXHIBITOR Education Week, the Professional Learning Conference for Exhibit and Corporate Event Marketers; and EXHIBITOR eTrak, professional online learning. Exhibitor Group is also the founder of CTSM (Certified Trade Show Marketer), the industry's only university-affiliated professional certification program. Learn more at www.ExhibitorOnline.com.
EXHIBITOR is a registered trademark, and EXHIBITORLIVE, EXHIBITOR Education Week, and EXHIBITOR eTrak, are trademarks of Exhibitor Media, LLC, in the USA and other countries. All company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are associated.
Contact:
[email protected]
ROCHESTER, MN. - Exhibitor Group, the award-winning leader in trade show and corporate event marketing education, is proud to announce that Gale Portwine has now earned Diamond-level Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) credentials.
With 25 years of experience as a trade show professional, Portwine serves as Senior Specialist - Events & Meetings at Aon Affinity, focusing on trade show strategy, campaigns, and management.
"Achieving Diamond Status took me on several journeys through the years, said Portwine. "I navigated numerous obstacles including losing a cherished job, the pandemic, and some serious life changes that affected my ability to complete my continuing education toward Diamond Status as quickly as I hoped. But I stayed determined, and I take the most pride in giving back to my trade show community through presenting at EXHIBITORLIVE several times and serving on EXHIBITOR Magazine’s Editorial Advisory Board, as well as being a CTSM candidate Mentor and Advisor."
"I can’t stress enough the value a CTSM certification has provided me throughout my career in obtaining and keeping a seat at the table," added Portwine. "Achieving CTSM Diamond Status has taken me on a long and winding journey of highs and lows, and in the end this industry-leading accomplishment is one of the proudest moments of my trade show management career. I dedicate this Diamond Level upgrade to my parents who taught me to never quit and believe in myself and my potential."
"Congratulations to Gale Portwine on earning his Diamond Level Upgrade, an impressive achievement and a testament to his dedication and hard work in the industry," said Monica Myhill, CMP, CRP, CPTD / Chief Learning Strategist and CTSM Director.
The CTSM Diamond-level classification was established in 2011 to recognize the graduates who have chosen to lead through professional contributions to the CTSM program and the industry. CTSM graduates have the option of adding on to their core certification at four different levels of upgrades: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond. More than 3,000 trade show and corporate event marketing professionals are currently enrolled in the CTSM program, and to date just 39 CTSM graduates have achieved Diamond Level certification.
CTSM candidates receive extensive training in trade show marketing, in conjunction with Northern Illinois University Outreach. Learn more about the CTSM program and how it can elevate your trade show marketing career at www.CTSM.com.
About Aon
Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that protect and grow their businesses. www.aon.com
About Exhibitor Group
The leader in trade show and corporate event marketing education, Exhibitor Group publishes EXHIBITOR magazine, an award-winning publication featuring best practices in trade show marketing. EXHIBITOR's learning events include: EXHIBITORLIVE, The Conference and Exhibition for Trade Show and Event Marketers; EXHIBITOR Education Week, the Professional Learning Conference for Exhibit and Corporate Event Marketers; and EXHIBITOR eTrak, professional online learning. Exhibitor Group is also the founder of CTSM (Certified Trade Show Marketer), the industry's only university-affiliated professional certification program. Learn more at www.ExhibitorOnline.com.
EXHIBITOR is a registered trademark, and EXHIBITORLIVE, EXHIBITOR Education Week, and EXHIBITOR eTrak, are trademarks of Exhibitor Media, LLC, in the USA and other countries. All company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are associated.
Contact:
[email protected]
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