Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum Celebrates 15th Anniversary with Stellar Speaker Line Up

February 19, 2016

The 15th anniversary of the Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum will feature a bevy of high-profile speakers when the one-day conference is held June 1 at the JW Marriott in Washington, D.C.

“The ECEF 2016 program has confirmed the participation of 11 ‘A-list’ executive presenters and panelists” said Sam Lippman, president, Lippman Connect.

He added, “Because ECEF is renowned for its C-level program, I am keenly aware that expectations for the 15th Anniversary are extraordinarily high. To meet the challenge, the 2016 agenda takes an unblinking look at the looming threats and opportunities organizers need to conquer.”

ECEF attendance is limited to 200 CEOs, executive directors, presidents, and vice presidents from associations and for-profit organizers.

The event will kick off with an opening keynote by Karen Chupka, senior vice president, CES & Corporate Business Strategy Exhibitions and Events, CTA/CES, who will share the wisdom that has taken CES to the top.

A panel discussion, “Our Exhibitors Speak”, will have 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, who will discuss what is working and what needs to change to maximize their ROI from events.

Lippman will discuss “Attendee Acquisition”, utilizing research from Exhibit Surveys and best practices from Lippman Connect’s Attendee Acquisition Roundtables on how to find, attract and retain quality attendees.

Another all-star panel discussion, “Agenda 2018: New Event Realities”, will be led by Galen Poss, Vice Chairman, dmg events, and he will invite Charles McCurdy, chairman and CEO, Informa Global Exhibitions; David Loechner, CEO, Emerald Expositions; and Deborah Sexton, president and 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.

The day will wrap up with the closing keynote, “From Mini to Mega: Growing and Protecting Your Brand” given by Frank Supovitz, president and chief experience officer, Fast Traffic Events & Entertainment, who will demonstrate that no matter your event’s age or size, protecting your brand takes more than meticulous planning and flawless execution.

The session will focus on understanding an event’s potential, leveraging opportunities for growth and being prepared to respond to threats and challenges.

Excepting one session reserved for late-breaking developments, complete information on the all the sessions is HERE

Add new comment

Partner Voices
HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates. Water Stewardship Efforts MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship. In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step. MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas. MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030. From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts. Caring for One Another MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include: Unserved perishable prepared foods from events Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community. Fostering Diversity and Inclusion To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all. MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.