ECEF logo

Connecting Leaders to Leaders

Develop top-to-top relationships with 200 executives sharing insights and opportunities

  • Trustworthy

For 23 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 2024 Video Recap

May 28, 2025

Save the Date

Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Washington DC

 

Registration Fee

$695 if you register before March 1 and $895 thereafter. $495 for each additional colleague

Change in Plans? Last-minute qualified substitutions are welcome or cancel by May 21, 2025 for a full refund. 

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 on Tuesday, May 28 kicks off face-to-face engagement.
  • Networking lunch and breaks keeps the networking action going all day.
  • Meet The Leaders session gives everyone a chance to stand and be seen.

Look Who Attended ECEF 2024

2024 Program

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2024 Presenters

2025 Sponsors

SILVER SPONSORS

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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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  • 8th Annual 5 Key Data Points in 5 Minutes - ECEF 2024

    29 May 2024
    Sam Lippman, President, Lippman Connects sets the tone for the day with this fast-paced session highlighting key data points that have big implications.

  • CEIR ECEF 2024 Latest Trends Data

    15 May 2024

  • Good Practice Guidance: Reopening Business Events - UFI

    18 Nov 2020


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
  • I've had a bunch of conversations with people we're going to want to do business with.
    Chris Bown
    Executive Vice President, National Association of Broadcasters
  • 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
  • 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 Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Howard Feiertag Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Pamplin College of Business, Virginia Tech University - Northern Virginia Center
  • Kyle Bixby, Meetings & Exhibits Coordinator, ASCRS - American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons
  • Leana Salamah, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Specialty Food Association
  • Les Weir, Senior Vice President, Emerald
  • Lester Robinson II, Sales Director, Washington D.C. Region, Visit Denver
  • Lindsey Fuller, Vice President, Satellite and Healthcare Groups, Access Intelligence
  • Lisa Malikow, Senior Vice President, Event Operations & Programming, Informa Connect
  • Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
  • Liz Irving, President, Clarion Events North America
  • Lori Jenks, Senior Vice President, Event Operations, Access Intelligence
  • Lori Smith, Vice President, Sales & Business Development, RE+ Events
  • Lynn Margiotta, Vice President, Sponsorship & Advertising Sales, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
  • Mackenzie Germinario, Assistant Manager, Meetings and Conventions Operations, National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)
  • Madison Ryley, Managing Editor, Trade Show Executive Media Group
  • Marc Gagnon, Vice President, Meetings & Trade Shows, Health & Fitness Association
  • Margaret Miller, Strategic Sales Executive, Maritz
  • Marian Sandberg, Vice President, Questex LLC
  • Mark Bogdansky, Vice President, Tradeshows & Community Engagement, Auto Care Association
  • Mark Prestage, Chief Executive Officer, Rhode Planning & Management Solutions
  • Martha Donato, President & Founder, MAD Event Management
  • Marty Glynn, Chief Executive Officer, MAD Event Management
  • Mary Post, Chief Executive Officer, American Academy of Neurology
  • Mary Vaccaro, Director, Leading Edge Expositions, LLC/CWCBExpo
  • Matt Jacobson, Formerly CFO & COO, Gravy Analytics
  • Megan Martin, Director of Partnerships and Events, Sessionboard
  • Melissa Harrison, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Consumer Technology Association
  • Melissa Medina, CEO + President, eMerge Americas LLC
  • Merideth Newman, Senior Director, Trade Shows, PMMI
  • Mette Petersen, President, Koelnmesse Inc
  • Michelle Edmonson, Vice President, Exhibitions, AMT - The Association for Manufacturing Technology
  • Michelle Metter, Partner, Fast Forward Events
  • Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief, Convene, PCMA
  • Mickey Wilson, Chief Marketing Officer, Freeman
  • Mike Bruley, Executive Vice President, Business Development, Freeman
  • Mike Carlucci, Chief Operating Officer, Clarion Events North America
  • Moira O'Brien, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing, McCormick Place
  • Molly Walker, Vice President, Content Innovation, Questex LLC
  • Monica Sober DeNio, VP, Meetings and Events, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
  • Nancy Drapeau, Vice President of Research, Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR)
  • Nicole O'Leary, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Creative, The Expo Group
  • Patrick O'Brien, Chief Digital Officer, American Pet Products Association (APPA)
  • Patti Steele, Senior Director of Exhibitions, ASIS International
  • Peter Scott, CEO, APPA
  • Phil Robinson, SVP, Specialty Food Association
  • Rachel Paisley, Vice President, Business Development, American Clean Power Association
  • Rachel Wimberly, SVP, Corporate Development and M&A, North America, Hyve Group
  • Rachelle Muckle, Director, Operations, National Association of Broadcasters
  • Rasheena Rowley, Manager, Exhibit Sales and Operations, Association of the US Army
  • Ray Briscuso, Jr., Executive Vice President, Conferences & Events, AdvaMed: Advanced Medical Technology Association
  • Rich Stone, Chief Executive Officer, 3e by EXPOCAD
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