Stateside with Stephanie
Twenty-five is just the beginning
Stephanie Selesnick previews ECEF ahead of the silver jubilee edition in Washington at the end of May
am Lippman’ s Exhibition
S and Convention Executives Forum( ECEF) is celebrating its 25-year milestone this year. This annual US gathering place for association and for-profit executives takes place in Washington, DC on 27 May. He said:“ We’ re very proud of 25 years and plan to celebrate and augment the programme with timelines and [ trade show ] data of the past 25 years of ECEF.”
With a cap of 270 people, the event usually sells out, and this year is on track to do so again.
The programme kicks off with 5 Key Data Points in 5 Minutes. An annual part of the programme, Lippman cites the most up-to-date data impacting the US exhibition industry.
Keynoter Edwina Kulego, vice-president of global business development & growth, fashion – Informa, will present A Global Mindset Pays Off Even if You Operate Globally.
She will explain how global mindset has nothing to do with borders or expansion. Instead, it’ s about increasing the resilience of your organisation in an era where uncertainty is never-ending.
I’ m excited to hear her advice on what leaders can do to help their teams navigate our new normal, as her industry – fashion – is a prime example for an industry in disruption and confluence.
Bob Hughes, vice-president, supplier relations, expositions and meetings, NACS in The Profitability Restraint: Why Leaving Money Behind Pays Off, will share the case for his exhibition’ s
Sam Lippman
Above: Edwina Kulego, ECEF keynote
Left: ECEF networking unusual rebook policy, conducted post-expo. One reason for this policy is an intentional choice to let exhibitors focus on exhibiting by not interrupting them during the exhibition. The results of post-show rebooking have been significant – an increase to the exhibit floor and good-sized waiting list.
After lunch, Lippman is particularly excited to interview his mentee for the last year, Joshua Oloriegbe, student, Jarvis Christian University. Oloriegbe is a member of the Annabelle Project, a non-profit providing opportunities for Black and minority students studying event management through one-onone mentorships with industry leaders.
Oloriegbe will talk about his impressions as a first timer to PCMA events in Houston, Texas and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; AfroTech, and IAEE’ s Expo! Expo! both held in Houston. Organisers can learn first-hand about what’ s good – and where events can be improved from the perspective of the next generation entering the workforce.
Zoom has had an impact on events, especially during Covid and beyond. Delegates will hear from Rajul Shah, GM & global head of sales – growth products, Zoom. Lippman said:“ Some organisers would say that Zoom is competitive to live events. However, I see it as‘ co-optition’ – how we can work together instead of being adversaries.”
The day wraps up with Kimberly Hardcastle, chief strategist and Ken Holsinger, senior vicepresident, industry research and insights, Freeman Company who will deliver new research focused on small and medium organisers.
ECEF is proceeded by an invite-only executive roundtable facilitated by MDG on 26 May and is followed on 28 May by ECA’ s Legislative Action Day when exhibition industry leaders and advocates visit Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and congressional staff in support of ECA’ s 2026 public policy priorities. EW www. exhibitionworld. co. uk Issue 2 2026 29