The 15^th anniversary of the Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum will feature a bevy of high-profile speakers when the one-day conference is held June 1 at the JW Marriott in Washington, D.C.

“The ECEF 2016 program has confirmed the participation of 11 ‘A-list’ executive presenters and panelists” said Sam Lippman, president, Lippman Connect.

He added, “Because ECEF is renowned for its C-level program, I am keenly aware that expectations for the 15th Anniversary are extraordinarily high. To meet the challenge, the 2016 agenda takes an unblinking look at the looming threats and opportunities organizers need to conquer.”

ECEF attendance is limited to 200 CEOs, executive directors, presidents, and vice presidents from associations and for-profit organizers.

The event will kick off with an opening keynote by Karen Chupka, senior vice president, CES & Corporate Business Strategy Exhibitions and Events, CTA/CES, who will share the wisdom that has taken CES to the top.

A panel discussion, “Our Exhibitors Speak”, will have Randal Acker, president at EXHIBITOR Media Group and Diane Benson, Americas exhibits leader, GE Healthcare; Dominique Cook, trade show manager, Marvin Windows and Doors; and Dana L. Tilghman, senior trade show and events planner, Minitab, who will discuss what is working and what needs to change to maximize their ROI from events.

Lippman will discuss “Attendee Acquisition”, utilizing research from Exhibit Surveys and best practices from Lippman Connect’s Attendee Acquisition Roundtables on how to find, attract and retain quality attendees.

Another all-star panel discussion, “Agenda 2018: New Event Realities”, will be led by Galen Poss, Vice Chairman, dmg events, and he will invite Charles McCurdy, chairman and CEO, Informa Global Exhibitions; David Loechner, CEO, Emerald Expositions; and Deborah Sexton, president and CEO, PCMA, to share their vision of how the events business will have changed by new technologies, new competitors and the pressure to experiment and innovate.

The day will wrap up with the closing keynote, “From Mini to Mega: Growing and Protecting Your Brand” given by Frank Supovitz, president and chief experience officer, Fast Traffic Events & Entertainment, who will demonstrate that no matter your event’s age or size, protecting your brand takes more than meticulous planning and flawless execution.

The session will focus on understanding an event’s potential, leveraging opportunities for growth and being prepared to respond to threats and challenges.

Excepting one session reserved for late-breaking developments, complete information on the all the sessions is at www.lippmanconnects/ecef.