The Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF) marked its 25th anniversary with a record audience of 276 exhibition and convention industry leaders. However, the 2026 program focused less on looking back and more on what executives need next.
“For 25 years, executives have been coming to ECEF to share and prepare for what’s coming around the next corner,” says Sam Lippman, president of Lippman Connects, which produces ECEF. “We’re not going to start looking back now.”
That forward-looking approach shaped the May 28 program in Washington, D.C.
A program focused on what comes next
ECEF brought together executives for sessions on global perspective, event learning, strategic partnerships, advocacy, artificial intelligence, and information value.
Edwina Kulego, vice president at Informa, opened the program with “A Global Mindset Pays Off Even if You Operate Locally.” Her keynote encouraged organizers to use the wider perspective they gain from travel and international business. She also urged them to borrow and adapt ideas from unfamiliar markets. Those ideas, she noted, can improve resilience and innovation.
Lippman also presented “Five Key Data Points in Five Minutes,” a recurring ECEF feature known for its timed format. This year’s research focused on learning opportunities at events. In particular, it suggested that organizers may not be using those opportunities to their full potential.
Sessions cover partnerships, advocacy, and AI
Other presentations included “The Profitability of Restraint: Why Leaving Money Behind Pays Off,” by Bob Hughes, vice president at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). In addition, Brandy Rand, vice president at Questex, and Kiersten Pearce, senior vice president at the American Hotel & Lodging Association, presented “Building Better Together: Lessons in Strategic Partnerships.”
Fernando Fischer, president of the Americas at RX, also presented “Punching Up: Why We Need ECA 2.0.”
Additional sessions covered mentorship, artificial intelligence, attendee feedback, and information value across the event experience. Speakers included Shelly Palmer, chief executive officer of The Palmer Group; Rajul Shah, general manager and global head of sales at Zoom; Kimberly Hardcastle, chief strategist at Freeman; Ken Holsinger, senior vice president at Freeman; Christine Murphy Peck, chief global learning officer at ASIS International; and Rebecca Sausner, chief executive officer of Yotta.
Sponsors and 2027 plans
Freeman served as Gold Sponsor. Las Vegas and mdg served as Silver Sponsors. Bronze Sponsors included Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau/Georgia World Congress Center Authority, Choose Chicago/McCormick Place, CORT Events, Heritage Exposition Services, Map Your Show, Maritz, Shepard, Visit Dallas, and Visit Denver.
Meanwhile, ECEF 2027 returns June 2 to the Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C.
Lippman Connects produces information-sharing and networking experiences for exhibition and convention industry executives, managers, and professionals. The Lippman Connects portfolio includes Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum, Attendee Acquisition Roundtable, Exhibit Sales Roundtable, and Large Show Roundtable. For more info, visit www.lippmanconnects.com.
Press release submitted by Lippman Connects. Edited by Exhibit City News for clarity, length and style.
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