John Norman is president of Arts and Exhibitions International (AEI). With more than 20 years of experience in the arts and entertainment industry, Norman has lead multi-national teams in the design, production, marketing and sales of traveling museum and fine art exhibitions throughout the world.
Norman oversees AEI’s traveling exhibitions, including the world-renowned blockbuster of King Tut’s treasures, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs. Under Norman's direction, the exhibition has drawn more than 7 million visitors to become one of the highest attended exhibitions of all time.
Building on the exhibition’s success, Norman worked with the Egyptian government to mount a second King Tut exhibition, Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs, as well as Cleopatra: The Exhibition, a new exhibition that presents more than 250 artifacts, never before seen in North America, that have been uncovered in the search for Cleopatra VII, the last queen of Egypt.
Norman's considerable experience producing world-renowned exhibitions, including Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, Diana: A Celebration and Saint Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes has solidified AEI's position as the industry leader in the creation of first-class exhibitions.
Prior to starting AEI, Norman served as co-president and chief operating officer of Clear Channel Exhibitions. In less than five years, Norman grew the award-winning division to $30 million in annual revenues. In 2001, he spearheaded the multi-million dollar acquisition of BBH Exhibits, Inc. to expand Clear Channel’s product offerings to the museum and fine arts communities. Under Norman’s leadership, the 40-person division collaborated with the world’s most prestigious science museums, fine art museums and cultural institutions.
With his proven track record in the traveling exhibitions field, as well as extensive experience in world-class entertainment production and promotion, Norman has developed relationships with dozens of art, science and history museums, both domestic and international.
From 1999-2001, as senior vice president of SFX Entertainment, Norman strengthened the financial prospectus of a blockbuster exhibition by creating and producing multiple Titanic exhibits that toured simultaneously around the globe As a result, more than six million people experienced the majesty of Titanic with Norman at the helm.
Beginning in 1999, Norman coordinated relationships and led complex negotiations with Vatican officials that resulted in a multi-year blockbuster tour of the Vatican’s most valuable objects.
From 1990 until its acquisition by SFX in 1999, Norman worked for Magicworks, a producer and promoter of live events. He executed the overall marketing and production of the company's touring shows, including The Magic of David Copperfield, Broadway theater giants Jesus Christ Superstar and West Side Story, and concert tours including the Reunion Tour of Fleetwood Mac and Janet Jackson's Velvet Rope Tour.
Norman resides in Aurora, Ohio, with his wife and son.