Connecting Leaders

ECEF 25th

Develop top-to-top relationships with 250 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.

See Who Attended ECEF 2026

 

Save the Date

June 2, 2027

Marriott Marquis
Washington DC

Registration Fee

$895. Add colleagues for $595 each.

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

Endorsed by IAEE: Eligible for 4.75 clock hours toward CEM recertification.

CEM

EXHIBITION & CONVENTION EXECUTIVES FORUM

It Only Takes 1 Minute to Find If ECEF Is For You

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.

ECEF 2025 Video Recap

ECEF 2026 Program


View 2026 Program

2026 Presenters

2026 Sponsors

GOLD SPONSOR

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SILVER SPONSORS

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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  • As organizers continue to rethink the role of learning at events, this session explores how different formats, environments and interactions contribute to meaningful knowledge exchange.  Ken Holsinger ...
  • Hosting, sponsoring, attending. We've done it all. And every time, we're watching people ask the same quiet question: is it worth coming back? Rajul Shah, GM & Global Head of Sales - Growth Products - ...
  • What happens on Capitol Hill and in the White House has never had a bigger impact on what happens on the show floor. That’s why the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) is the public policy voice ...


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®

Lippman Connects You

  • Christy Spahn, Vice President, Expo Sales and Operations, IAAPA
  • Chuck Grouzard, Executive Vice President of Business Development, GES
  • Colleen Donohoe, Vice President Meetings and Conventions, Society of Thoracic Surgeons
  • Cory Smith, VP Strategy & Partnerships, Shepard Exposition Services
  • D. Bradley Kent Sr., Chief Sales & Services Officer, Visit Dallas
  • Damon Ross, Senior Group Vice President, CORT Events
  • Dan Cole, Senior Director, Exposition Sales, InfoComm
  • Dana Wuesthoff, Vice President, Exhibitions Data & Technology Integration, AEM - Association of Equipment Manufacturers
  • Danica Tormohlen, Vice President, Group Content, TSNN by Informa
  • Daniel McKinnon, Chief Exhibitions Officer, MHI - The Industry That Makes Supply Chains Work
  • Darren Temple, Chief Growth Officer, The Expo Group
  • Darrin Stern, President & Managing Director, Koelnmesse Inc.
  • Dave Morton, Group Director, Events, MT Series/Smart Manufacturing Experience, SME - Society of Manufacturing Engineers
  • Dave Weil, Vice President, Business Development, Hall-Erickson, Inc.
  • David Liddle, President and CEO, The Deondo Company
  • David McAuley, Sr. Director, Washington DC and Chicago Area Sales Offices, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • David Saef, Managing Director, Freeman
  • Debbie Langelier, Vice President, National Training & Simulation Association
  • Deirdre Flynn, Executive Vice President, North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM)
  • Dennis O'Gara, Senior Vice President, Operations, Products & Services, Smart City Networks
  • Dennis Smith, President and CEO, N'rnbergMesse North America
  • Diamond Vaughn, Recent Graduate, Jarvis Christian University
  • Dina Green, Vice President of Logistics and Event Security, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)
  • Don Kline, CEO, Map Your Show
  • Don Pietranczyk, CX Director, Informa Markets
  • Donald Svehla, Publisher/Founder, Exhibit City News
  • Donna Bellantone, Chief Operating Officer, Trifecta Collective
  • Donna Page, Senior Director, Exposition Marketing, Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA)
  • Edwina Kulego, Vice President of Global Business Development & Growth, Fashion, Informa Markets
  • Elizabeth Berry, Director of Mid-Atlantic Sales, Louisville Tourism
  • Emily Olson, Editor, Exhibitor Group
  • Erica Bartsch, Executive Vice President, Strategy & Communications, Emerald
  • Erin Dunstan, Managing Vice President, Sales, Maritz
  • Evan Cox, Deputy Show Director, Equip Exposition
  • Femke Di Cesare, Director, Business Development, ASIS International
  • Fernando Fischer, President of Americas, RX USA
  • Gary Thuro, Chief Business Officer, RE+ Events
  • Germaine Schaefer, Associate Vice President, Heart Rhythm Society
  • Gregg Vautrin, Senior Vice President & CFO, RX USA
  • Gwen Venable, Executive Vice President - Expo & Communication Services, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association
  • Heather Hurley, Executive Director, American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT)
  • Holly Blanchard, Chief Financial Officer, ASIS International
  • Holly Wetzel, VP, Marketing & Communications, International Sign Association
  • Iain Mackenzie, Vice President, Tradeshow Operations, RE+ Events
  • Iain Stirling, International Portfolio Director, Mash Media Group
  • Ingrid Thorson, Vice President, Strategic Account Mgmt, mdg
  • Jackie Black, Vice President, Conferences and Events, Consumer Technology Association
  • Jackie Gronske, Director, Sponsorship Strategy & Market Development, DMAW
  • Jake Volcsko, Vice President, Integrated Media, SME - Society of Manufacturing Engineers
  • Jason Glei, Vice President, Marketing & Events, ReMA