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

 

View Full 2025 Program

2025 Presenters

2025 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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  • Bixby, Kyle - ASCRS Call, Emily - AUSA Miller, Mackenzie - NADA Muckle, Rachel - NAB Rowley, Rasheena - AUSA


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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

  • Kristin Lamoureux, Director, MSBA-HTM Program, Collegiate Assoc Prof of Hospitality & Tourism Mgmt, Virginia Tech, Pamplin College of Business
  • Larry Grossenbacher, Title: President, General Contracting Division, CSI Worldwide
  • Laura Davidson, Senior Vice President, Digital, mdg, A Freeman Company
  • Laura Thompson, Vice President, Trade Shows, PMMI - Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies
  • Lauren Parr, Chief Meetings and Exhibits Officer, Optica
  • Laurie Lutz, Owner, LL Event Strategy LLC
  • Leah Gutstein, Convention Sales Manager, Washington DC Region, Visit Denver
  • Leakhena Swett, President, ILTA | International Liquid Terminals Association
  • Leana Salamah, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Specialty Food Association
  • Lester Vaughan, Director, Business Development, CompuSystems
  • Lisa Buchanan, Senior Vice President, Operations, IAEE
  • Lisa Hirtzinger, Vice President, Education & Experience, National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD)
  • Lisa Malikow, Senior Vice President, Event Operations & Programming, Restaurant Show / Informa Connect
  • Lisa Phelps, Director of Trade Shows and Convention Sales, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
  • Lori Anderson, President & CEO, International Sign Association
  • Lori Jenks, Senior Vice President, Event Operations, Access Intelligence, LLC
  • Lori Wulf, Deputy Director, Meetings, Association of the United States Army
  • Lou Tassone, Vice President of Business Development, LVE
  • Macy Fecto, Chief People Officer, Access Intelligence, LLC
  • Madison Ryley, Managing Editor, Trade Show Executive Media Group / TSE
  • Maria LaScola, Account Manager, ASIS International
  • Mariana Gallo, Director, Meetings and Exhibits, American Association of Physicists in Medicine
  • Mark Bogdansky, Vice President, Tradeshows and Community Engagement, Auto Care Association
  • Mark Day, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer, National Association for the Education of Young Children
  • Mark Prestage, CEO, Rhode Planning
  • Martha Donato, President & Founder, MAD Event Management LLC
  • Martha Sproehnle, Senior Manager, Exhibitions Operations, AMT - The Association for Manufacturing Technology
  • Martin Moggre, Executive Vice President, Freeman
  • Marty Glynn, CEO, MAD Event Management LLC
  • Matthew Raisner, Associate Vice President, Events & Media, Aspire
  • Matthias Merkel, Executive Director M&A and International Business Development, N'rnberg Messe GmbH
  • Megan-Brette Hamilton, Chief Staff Officer for Multicultural Affairs, ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association)
  • Melissa Harrison, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Consumer Technology Association
  • Melissa Riley, Senior Vice President, Convention Sales and Services, Destination DC
  • Melissa Wolpert, Senior Vice President, Meetings, Conventions and Expositions, National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)
  • Meredith Ellison, Executive Director, AAAI - Association for the Advancement of Artificial'Intelligence'
  • Michael Hatch, Vice President, Sales & Business Development, ShowCycle
  • Michael Martinis, Executive Vice President, Sales, Quest Events
  • Michael Reed, Executive Director, American Fence Association
  • Michelle Edmonson, Vice President, Exhibitions, AMT - The Association for Manufacturing Technology
  • Mike Bruley, Executive Vice President, Business Development, Freeman
  • Mike Carlucci, Chief Operating Officer, Clarion Events
  • Molly Kievit, Senior Director of Campus Sales, Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority / McCormick Place
  • Monica Sober Denio, Vice President, Meetings & Events, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
  • Nancy Drapeau, Vice President of Research, Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR)
  • Nancy James Rosenbaum, Senior National Accounts Director, PHLCVB - Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Nath Morris, President, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association
  • Nicholas Cordaro, President, LVE
  • Nicole Hallada, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Marketing, AEM - Association of Equipment Manufacturers
  • Patrick Putzer, Vice President, Sales, Emerald Carpets