ECEF logo

Connecting Leaders

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

  • Trustworthy

For 25 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; $595 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

Next ECEF Program Coming Late January 2026 - 2025 Program Below

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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

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Lippman Connects You

  • Janet Dell, CEO, Freeman
  • Jason McGraw, Group Vice President, CEDIA Expo & KBIS, Emerald
  • Jay Blankenship, Senior Vice President, Sales, Shepard Exposition Services
  • Jeannie Henson, Director, Exhibit Management, Siemens Healthineers North America
  • Jeff Calore, Senior Vice President, Events, Smithbucklin Corporation
  • Jeffrey Quade, President, North American Exhibitions, GES
  • Jenabeth Ferguson, Vice President, Symposium Director, Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo, JD Events LLC
  • Jenn Ellek, Vice President, Marketing, NATDA
  • Jennifer Bumbalo, Vice President of Sales, Visit Dallas
  • Jennifer Collins, President & CEO, JDC Events
  • Jennifer Hoff, President, Taffy Event Strategies
  • Jennifer Jones, Vice President of Strategic Account Management, mdg, A Freeman Company
  • Jennifer Paine Pekowski, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Freeman
  • Jenny Van Riper, Vice President, Sales, Maritz
  • Jeremy Adams, Director, Trade Show Operations, Plastics Industry Association
  • Jeremy Worrell, National Sales Manager, Resorts World Las Vegas
  • Jerry Gildea, Chief Sales Officer, Map Your Show
  • Jessica Curtis, Senior Vice President, Corporate Partnerships, Development & Events, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD)
  • Jim Russell, Executive Vice President, Client Relationships, Freeman
  • Jim Wurm, Executive Director, Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Association
  • Joanne 'Jo' Damato, Senior Vice President, Events & Professional Engagement, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)
  • Joe Webster, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Emerald
  • Joey Martin, Vice President of Sales, National Trade Productions, Inc.
  • John Bailey, Director, Shows & Exhibits, National Rifle Association
  • John Catalano, Senior Director, Events & Strategic Partnerships, SME - Society of Manufacturing Engineers
  • John D'Adamo, Regional Vice President, East Coast Media Sales, TSNN / Informa Connect
  • John Kelley, Vice President and Show Director, CES, Consumer Technology Association
  • John McGeary, Senior Vice President, Business Development & Growth Strategy, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
  • John Paxton, CEO, MHI - The Industry That Makes Supply Chains Work
  • John Puglisi, National Account Director, Mid-Atlantic, Visit Seattle
  • John Schreiber, Vice President, Business Sales, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
  • Jon Benjamin, CEO, ASP
  • Josh Haynie, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Freeman
  • Julie Kagy, Executive Director, ESCA: Exhibition Services & Contractors Association
  • Justin Childs, Chief Marketing Officer, Americas, ARC Network LLC
  • Justine McVaney, Senior Vice President, Event Planning & Operations, National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
  • Kara Bush, Vice President, Pri-Med
  • Kara Dao, Chief Operating Officer, JDC Events
  • Karin Fendrich, Chief Financial Officer, SIOR: Society of Industrial and Office Realtors
  • Katherine (Katie) Carey, Associate Director of Sales, National Electrical Contractors Association
  • Katie Remuzzi, Vice President, CES Operations, Consumer Technology Association
  • Kelly Kilga, Vice President, Event Development, National Association of Broadcasters
  • Ken Holsinger, Senior Vice President, Strategy, Freeman
  • Kerry Gumas, CEO, Metacomet LLC
  • Kevin Hinton, Managing Director, Group Travel, U.S. Travel Association
  • Kimberly Coerr, Director, Event Operations, National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD)
  • Kimberly Hardcastle, President, mdg, A Freeman Company
  • Kinsey Fabrizio, President, Consumer Technology Association
  • Krista Paternostro Bower, CEO & Executive Director, Society of Dermatology Physician Associates
  • Kristen Griffith, Vice President, Programs & Services, National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA)
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