Exhibition & Convention Executives Forum Sold Out in 15th Year
May 3, 2016
For the first time in the event’s history, the Exhibition & Convention Executives Forum has sold out several weeks before it is set to run June 1 in Washington, D.C.
“ECEF has a waiting list for the first time in 15 years,” said Sam Lippman, president of Lippman Connects, producer of ECEF.
“In recent years, ECEF has consistently sold out, but not anywhere as early as this year,” he added. “I talk to industry executives every day, and my impression is they are more aggressively reaching out for new business opportunities. And that includes attending ECEF for presentations by the leaders of CES, Emerald, Informa, dmg, PCMA, PwC, EXHIBITOR, Fast Track Events & Entertainment and others.”
He also credited this year’s attendance achievement to Lippman Connects’ marketing agency mdg.
Kimberly Hardcastle, president of mdg, said, “ECEF has long been recognized as the premier networking event for exhibition executives, but I have also found it to be a great source of new ideas. I took two pages of notes last year and found myself referencing them as inspiration for initiatives that we executed for several of our clients. Sam always seems to get the right mix of speakers, balancing visionaries from outside the events business with those who are blazing trails from within.”
ECEF will be celebrating its 15th anniversary with a full house of 200 CEOs, presidents, executive directors, vice presidents and other top-level executives at associations and independent event organizers.
Here are a few of the sessions on tap:
“New Event Realities” - Galen Poss, vice chairman, dmg events will invite Charles McCurdy, chairman and CEO, Informa Global Exhibitions, David Loechner, CEO, Emerald Expositions and Deborah Sexton, president & CEO, PCMA to share their vision of how the events business will have changed by new technologies, new competitors, and the pressure to experiment and innovate.
“Our Exhibitors Speak” - Randal Acker, president at EXHIBITOR Media Group and Diane Benson, Americas Exhibits Leader, GE Healthcare; Dominique Cook, trade show manager, Marvin Windows and Doors; and Dana L. Tilghman, senior trade show and events planner, Minitab, will discuss what is working and what needs to change to maximize their ROI from events.
For more information and to join the waiting list, visit www.lippmanconnects.com/ecef.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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