ECEF logo

Connecting Leaders

Develop top-to-top relationships with 255 executives sharing insights and opportunities

  • Trustworthy

For 24 years, through every business cycle, ECEF has connected executives at associations and independent organizers to information they use immediately.

  • High Energy

Clients expect an open and spirited peer exchange. And they get it.

  • Rewarding

Take away actionable ideas and valuable contacts that will benefit your brand, your event, your organization, and your career.

ECEF 2025 Video Recap

SAVE THE DATE:

May 27, 2026

Grand Hyatt

Washington DC

 

Registration Fee

$895; $495 for each additional colleague

Change in Plans? Last-minute qualified substitutions are welcome or cancel for a full refund up to one week before ECEF.

EXHIBIT & CONVENTION EXECUTIVES FORUM

Find Out What's in it for You in 76 Seconds

TRUSTWORTHY

Expand Your Circle of Top-Level Contacts

Often called the A-List of the events industry.

  • Welcome Reception the night before the event kicks off face-to-face engagement.
  • Networking lunch and breaks keep the networking action going all day.
  • Meet The Leaders session gives everyone a chance to stand and be seen.

Look Who Attended ECEF 2025

2025 Program

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View Full 2025 Program

2025 Presenters

2025 Sponsors

GOLD SPONSOR

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BRONZE SPONSORS

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Ecef tech demo logo

 

Event tech demonstrations for non-tech executives

Event technology products and services are proliferating and improving at an ever-quickening pace. TechDemo gives executives an opportunty to explore leading-edge solutions without the technobabble. 

  • Hands-on event tech demonstrations.
  • Meet tech experts AND the executives that run the company.
  • Explore solutions for marketing, sales, operations and back office.

TechDemo Sponsors

Resources

Latest Resources

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  • Will Rising Exhibitor Costs Backfire?

    28 May 2025 Jeannie Henson, Director of Exhibit Management - Siemens Healthineers North America and Julie Kagy, Executive Director - ESCA: Exhibition Services & Contractors Association
    It’s general knowledge that exhibitors usually pay more than their direct share of costs. As the cost burden on exhibitors continues to rise, organizers must wake up now to the reality that the prevai ...

  • Keynote – Pivot or Die: How to Navigate in a Changing Environment

    28 May 2025 Gary Shapiro, CEO and Vice Chair - Consumer Technology Association
    Just when you’re beginning to doubt which way is ahead, ECEF brings you this perfectly timed keynote address from Consumer Technology Association CEO Gary Shapiro. His insights will illuminate a path ...

  • 5 Key Data Points in 5 Minutes

    28 May 2025 Sam Lippman, President, Lippman Connects
    Sam Lippman, President, Lippman Connects sets the tone for the day with this fast-paced session highlighting key data points that have big implications. Polling Results  


View All ECEF Resources

Testimonials

  • ECEF is one the few opportunities where independent and association show organizers get to mingle and learn from one another.
    Karen Chupka
    Chief Strategist, Chupka Consulting LLC
  • You've got 200 C-level executives here. There's a lot of peer-to-peer learning, which is incredible.
    Chris Dolnack
    Senior Vice President, National Shooting Sports Foundation
  • As a newcomer to events, it is so valuable to connect and have interactions that pay off.
    Cassandra Farrington
    Co-Founder & CEO, Marijuana Business Daily
  • ECEF is a great event! In one day I can hear insights and best practices from the ‘Who’s Who’ in our industry.
    Mary Pat Heftman
    Principal, Principal MPH Solutions, LLC
  • ECEF is a fixture on my calendar. Don’t delegate this one; as a CEO, you need to be there.
    Lori M. Anderson, CAE
    President & CEO, International Sign Association
  • The value I’ve gained from ECEF has always exceeded expectations. It’s the only event that brings together association and media executives to network, debate, and exchange new business ideas and best practices.
    Kerry C. Gumas
    Chief Executive Officer, Metacomet LLC
  • ECEF has valuable content and useful take-aways in a variety of areas.
    Peter Eelman
    Vice President Exhibitions and Communications, The Association for Manufacturing Technology, AMT
  • I've had a bunch of conversations with people we're going to want to do business with.
    Chris Brown
  • ECEF is the most valuable education and networking event of the year. The ideas shared by speakers and participants helped us grow attendance and sales. There is no better opportunity to learn from the brightest in the industry.
    Eric Wulf
    CEO, International Carwash Association®

Explore ECEF 2024 Highlights

Lippman Connects You

  • Janet Dell, President, Freeman
  • Jeannette Laluk, Director of Marketing And Business Development, Convention Suite by NewGen Business Solutions
  • Jeff McQuilkin, Director, Exhibit Sales and Services, NACS | Advancing Convenience & Fuel Retailing
  • Jeffrey Quade, President, GES Exhibitions - North America, GES
  • Jenn Heinold, President, Taffy Event Strategies
  • Jennifer Bumbalo, Regional Director of Sales, Mid-Atlantic, Citywide, Visit Dallas
  • Jennifer Collins, President & CEO, JDC Events
  • Jennifer Hoff, President, Trifecta Collective - Taffy Event Strategies
  • Jennifer Jones, Vice President, Strategic Account Management, mdg, A Freeman Company
  • Jennifer Luettinger, Senior Director, Education and Meetings, Society of Breast Imaging
  • Jennifer Woods, Vice President, Fierce Life Sciences Events, Questex LLC
  • Jenny Van Riper, Vice President, Sales, Maritz
  • Jeremy Baker, Chief Growth Officer, American Pet Products Association (APPA)
  • Jerry Gildea, Chief Sales Officer, Map Your Show
  • Joe Colangelo, CEO, Bear Analytics
  • Joe Ricci, President & CEO, TRSA - Association for Linen, Uniform & Facility Services Industry
  • Joey Martin, Vice President, Business Development, ASIS International
  • John Bailey, Director Shows & Exhibits Division, National Rifle Association
  • John Catalano, Senior Director, U.S. Events & Strategic Partnerships, SME - Society of Manufacturing Engineers
  • John Dandeneau, Senior Vice President, Product, Emerald
  • John Jaworski, Assistant Executive Director: Meeting Services & Corporate Relations, Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
  • John McGeary, SVP, Business Development and Brand Strategy, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
  • John Paxton, Chief Executive Officer, MHI - The Industry That Makes Supply Chains Work
  • John Schreiber, Vice President, Business Sales, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
  • John T. Kelley, Vice President and CES Show Director, Consumer Technology Association (CTA)
  • John Wilson, Vice President, Business Development, Northeast Region, CNTV
  • Jon Benjamin, Chief Executive Officer, ASP
  • Jonathan Adams, Vice President of Innovation, Water Quality Association
  • Jordan Walker, Co-founder, Backtrack
  • Josh Gold, Senior VP, Member Education, Programs & Affiliate Engagement, National Apartment Association
  • Joshua Haynie, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Freeman
  • Julie Kagy, Executive Director, ESCA: Exhibition Services & Contractors Association
  • Julie Mioli, Senior National Accounts Manager, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Julie Pike, Senior Director, Event Strategy, SME
  • Justine McVaney, Senior Vice President, Event Planning & Operations, National Association of Broadcasters
  • Kai Hattendorf, CEO, UFI: The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry
  • Karen Horting, Executive Director and CEO, SWE - Society of Women Engineers
  • Kari Jacobson, Director of Sales, Global Connections & Events, National Association of Broadcasters
  • Karin Fendrich, Chief Financial Officer, SIOR: Society of Industrial and Office Realtors
  • Kate Youngstrom, Vice President, Brand & Content Marketing, RX USA
  • Katie Remuzzi, Senior Director, CES Operations, Consumer Technology Association (CTA)
  • Kelly Kilga, Vice President, Event Development, National Association of Broadcasters
  • Ken Holsinger, Senior Vice President, Strategy, Freeman
  • Kevin Bird, Chief Executive Officer, Shepard
  • Kevin Gray, Vice President, Technology, Media, & Telecom, Questex LLC
  • Kevin Thornton, Senior Vice President, Informa Markets
  • Kim Broome, Director, Convention Operations, NACS - Advancing Convenience & Fuel Retailing
  • Kimberly Hardcastle, President, mdg, A Freeman Company
  • Kinsey Fabrizio, President, Consumer Technology Association
  • Kristen Griffith, Vice President, Programs & Services, National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA)

200 Leaders. Countless Opportunities.

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