6/6/2013

Michela O’Connor Abrams, President, Dwell Media, was the opening keynote speaker for the 12th annual Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF). Saying that “good design equals good business,” she offered insights into the attitudes and spending of new design-centric consumers. Ms. Abrams urged exhibition and convention organizers to take action, explaining how “businesses across all categories are leveraging design to create more meaningful connections with customers.” 

 

ECEF’s closing keynote, professor and author Cal Newport, explained why “follow your passion” was bad advice for his fellow Millennials. Professor Newport believes that face-to-face events are taking on a new dimension for ambitious Millennials seeking to acquire and burnish job skills. “Exhibitions and conventions are the new guild halls – a place to hone skills and sharpen identity,” he told the audience of executives. 

 

“Our attendees change all the time, and ECEF 2013’s keynote speakers showed us how to establish stronger, more meaningful connections with two highly influential demographic sectors,” says ECEF producer Sam Lippman. “Michela gave us clear and convincing data on the new affluents and concrete examples of how Dwell Media and others are leveraging good design to get their attention and their spending. Focusing specifically on the millennial generation, Cal dispelled misconceptions and showed us how to raise the value of our events with this important cohort.” 

 

ECEF’s one-day program had 190 registrants from 23 states as well as Germany and Mexico and featured these experts on face-to-face events: Terry Arth, IOM, CMP, Vice President - Member Programs, National Association of Chain Drug Stores; Derek Gaskins, Chief Engagement Officer, Rutter's Farm Stores; Jack Goldman, President & CEO, Hearth, Patio, & Barbecue Association; Wilma M. Grant, Publishing & Web Manager - Office of Information Technology, Supreme Court of the United States; Wayne H. Jacobs, CEO & Director of Research, Jacobs Jenner & Kent; Sam Lippman, President and Founder, Lippman Connects; Margaret Pederson, President, AMIREXX; Brian Perkins, Partner, FirstSource Events; Jim Pittas, Vice President of Tradeshows, PMMI; Gary Rosenthal, President & CEO, O-Zone, Inc.; Hal Vandiver, Executive Consultant, Material Handling Industry of America. 

 

Sponsors of ECEF 2013 were Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (Platinum); Freeman (Gold); ds+f (Silver); a2z; Ascend Integrated Media; ASP; Berkery Noyes Investment Bankers; bXb Online; CompuSystems; Convention Data Services; Exhibitor Invites; Experient; ExpoBee; EXPOCAD; The Expo Group; George Fern Exposition & Event Services; Global Experience Specialists (GES); IMN Solutions; INXPO; ITN International; Jacobs, Jenner & Kent Market Research; JW Marriott; Map Your Show; McMurray/TMG; NaylorCMG; onPeak; and Ungerboeck Software International. 

 

ECEF Participating Publications were American Business Media, Association Forum of Chicagoland; Association Meetings, Associations Now, Association Trends, Convene, Exhibition World, EXPO, and Trade Show Executive. 

 

To obtain ECEF 2013 white papers, speaker presentation slides, on-site polling results, remote polling results and photographs go to www.lippmanconnects.com/ECEF. 

 

ECEF 2014 will be held May 28 at the JW Marriott, Washington, DC. 

 

 

About Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF) 

ECEF is the world’s only one-day forum exclusively for independent and association executives. At this invitation-only forum leaders of the exhibition and convention industry focus on ways to increase revenues and the relevance of their events through C-level content and networking. More information is available at www.lippmanconnects.com/ECEF. 

 

About Large Show Roundtable (LSR) 

LSR is an invitation-only workshop for show producers with 125,000+ net square feet of exhibit space. LSR gathers 18 producers for facilitated problem solving. Participants “own” LSR because they create the agenda and play an active role in helping their peers define solutions. For more information, go to www.lippmanconnects.com/LSR. 

 

About Attendee Acquisition Roundtable (AAR) 

AAR is a one-day, invitation-only workshop, where 18 event marketers learn from peers and subject matter experts how to apply the latest tactics, technologies and best practices to find, attract and retain attendees. Information is available at www.lippmanconnects.com/AAR. 

 

About Exhibit Sales Roundtable (ESR) 

ESR provides 18 exhibit and sponsorship sales and service professionals the opportunity to meet, network and learn from peers and a select group of subject matter experts in a hands-on, interactive format. Attendees will benefit from the best practices to strengthen their exhibit sales and sponsorship programs. For more information, visit www.lippmanconnects.com/ESR. 

 

 

Contact:

sam@lippmanconnects.com