The Exhibition Services and Contractors Association (ESCA) reviewed key operational and education updates during its 2025 Virtual Town Hall, held as a member-facing business meeting separate from its annual awards program.
During the meeting, ESCA leadership addressed changes to the association’s badge program, education structure, and training offerings. The town hall also included a review of attendance results from the 2025 Summer Educational Conference.
ESCA announced the hiring of Mike Montgomery as full-time strategic director of the ESCA badge program. According to the association, the role focuses on oversight of badge operations and facility relationships. Montgomery has prior experience with venues, contractors, and labor programs.
During the town hall, ESCA also reported expanded and reactivated badge usage at several convention centers. Those facilities include the Miami Beach Convention Center, Georgia World Congress Center, and George R. Brown Convention Center. Association leaders stated that the badge continues to serve as a workforce identification credential at participating venues.
In addition, ESCA confirmed the creation of a Chief Learning Officer role. The position places responsibility for educational programming under executive leadership. ESCA stated during the meeting that the role supports coordination of conferences, training initiatives, and future curriculum development.
As part of that effort, ESCA discussed the development of Trade Show 101, a standardized training curriculum. The program is designed as a self-paced resource for onboarding new industry professionals. ESCA said the curriculum covers core tradeshow topics, including floor operations and show-site logistics. The association expects to complete the initial rollout in the first quarter of 2026.
The town hall also included a review of the 2025 Summer Educational Conference, held in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. ESCA leadership stated that the event achieved record attendance. The association did not release attendance figures during the meeting.
The virtual town hall concluded with a review of committee activity and board transitions heading into 2026.
