Speakers announced for ECEF 2011

Sam Lippman, producer of the Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF), announced three speakers for ECEF 2011, on June 1st the J. W. Marriott in Washington, DC.


This one-day program presents Paul DiModica, CEO, Value Forward Group; Mary Pat Heftman, executive vice president, Convention, National Restaurant Association; and Hal Vandiver, executive vice president, Business Development, Material Handling Institute of America.

“ECEF 2011 will continue to deliver the content exhibition and convention executives demand,” says Lippman. “Viewpoints of experts outside our industry, strategies for forecasting revenues and expenses, and case studies of successful innovation.”
ECEF’s keynote speaker, business success strategist, Paul DiModica, will explain How to Retain and Increase Exhibitors Participation.”

DiModica’s session will feature exclusive research that reveals techniques for penetrating corporate C-suites, connecting with senior executives and providing the justifications they need to continue to support events.

“Using new research, I’ll reveal the metrics executives need from producers to calculate their ROI from events and justify their companies’ continued participation,” says DiModica.

Association executive Hal Vandiver’s session will explain How to Use Macro Business Cycles to Budget and Plan Your Event.
Vandiver’s insights derive from 18 years of involvement with ProMat, his association’s signature event.

“My experience planning ProMat is a study in applying simple, practical methods for reading the economic tea leaves, predicting the outcomes of a future event and creating an event budget that’s realistic,” says Vandiver.

Association executive Mary Pat Heftman will share a case study that examines her successes in adding value for exhibitors and attendees at her annual event, the NRA Show.

The three confirmed speakers are a sample of ECEF’s day-long program, which will also include a closing keynote session led by an expert in global business strategy.

The event marks its 10 year anniversary in 2011.

“ECEF provides a comprehensive program that attendees continue to find timely and beneficial,” says Chris Meyer, VP of sales, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), Platinum Sponsor of ECEF 2009, 2010 and 2011.

“The LVCVA is a strong proponent of industry advocacy,” said Lippman. “Our continued sponsorship of ECEF is contributing to the advancement of the exhibition industry worldwide.”

Additionally, participants will also benefit because additional time will be devoted to audience participation during ECEF 2011.

“ECEF attendees and sponsors have as much to offer as the speakers,” said Lippman. “So the 2011 program will include more dedicated time for audience interaction and live polls.”

ECEF 2011 will open with a welcome reception on May 31st 7:30 p.m. at the J.W. Marriott. ECEF’s welcome reception traditionally draws more than 100 executives, and is the world’s only forum exclusively for business media and association executives.

For one day each year, this invitation-only event gathers 200 leaders of the exhibition and convention industry to focus on fundamental ways to increase revenues and the relevance of their events.