Stay Informed!
Subscribe to our free newsletter and don't miss a thing
Shows & Events
At ECEF 2026, 276 Leaders Urged to Lean Into Their Wider Perspectives and Agency
5/29/2026
WASHINGTON D.C. - When most events reach a quarter century milestone, they usually celebrate with extended remembrances, focusing their constituents' attention on all that came before. The 2026 Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF) had no intention of going down that road.
"For 25 years, executives have been coming to ECEF to share and prepare for what's coming around the next corner. We're not going to start looking back now," said Sam Lippman, President of Lippman Connects, producers of ECEF. Based on that promise, ECEF 2026 filled every available seat for a record-setting audience of 276 exhibition and convention industry leaders.
Setting the tone for the day, Informa VP Edwina Kulego's keynote, A Global Mindset Pays Off Even if You Operate Locally, reminded the audience that their travels had given them the gift of exposure to multiple perspectives. She urged organizers to borrow and adapt from unfamiliar perspectives to improve resiliency and innovation. "Edwina recalled for us the power we already had. The power to ask, what if?"
Lippman's 5 Key Data Points in 5 Minutes is always highly anticipated for both the content and the race against the clock. As always, Lippman beat the clock. The five data points focused on new research revealing that organizers are underutilizing learning opportunities at events. It was theme that resonated throughout the day. Additional presentations included:
ECEF 2027 will be held June 2 at the Marriott Marquis in Washington D.C.
About Lippman Connects
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. Learn more at www.lippmanconnects.com.
Contact:
[email protected]
WASHINGTON D.C. - When most events reach a quarter century milestone, they usually celebrate with extended remembrances, focusing their constituents' attention on all that came before. The 2026 Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF) had no intention of going down that road.
"For 25 years, executives have been coming to ECEF to share and prepare for what's coming around the next corner. We're not going to start looking back now," said Sam Lippman, President of Lippman Connects, producers of ECEF. Based on that promise, ECEF 2026 filled every available seat for a record-setting audience of 276 exhibition and convention industry leaders.
Setting the tone for the day, Informa VP Edwina Kulego's keynote, A Global Mindset Pays Off Even if You Operate Locally, reminded the audience that their travels had given them the gift of exposure to multiple perspectives. She urged organizers to borrow and adapt from unfamiliar perspectives to improve resiliency and innovation. "Edwina recalled for us the power we already had. The power to ask, what if?"
Lippman's 5 Key Data Points in 5 Minutes is always highly anticipated for both the content and the race against the clock. As always, Lippman beat the clock. The five data points focused on new research revealing that organizers are underutilizing learning opportunities at events. It was theme that resonated throughout the day. Additional presentations included:
- Bob Hughes, VP, NACS - The Profitability of Restraint: Why Leaving Money Behind Pays Off
- Brandy Rand, VP, Questex; and Kiersten Pierce, SVP, American Hotel and Lodging Association - Building Better Together: Lessons in Strategic Partnerships
- Fernando Fischer, President of the Americas, RX - Punching Up: Why We Need ECA 2.0
- Sam Lippman; Joshua Oloriegbe, Diamond Vaughn - First Impressions: Annabelle Project Mentees Speak
- Shelly Palmer, CEO, The Palmer Group - The Agentic Enterprise: What Every Leader Needs to Know
- Rajul Shah, GM & Global Head of Sales, Zoom - I've Been to Your Show. Here's What I'd Change
- Kimberly Hardcastle, Chief Strategist, Freeman; Ken Holsinger, SVP, Freeman; Christine Murphy Peck, Chief Global Learning Officer, ASIS International; Rebecca Sausner, CEO, Yotta - Adding Information Value Across the Event Experience
ECEF 2027 will be held June 2 at the Marriott Marquis in Washington D.C.
About Lippman Connects
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. Learn more at www.lippmanconnects.com.
Contact:
[email protected]
Submit Your News!
There is no charge to submit your press release for publication on the Exhibitor News Network.
Marketplace
- Audiovisual Equipment
- Convention Centers
- Event Design and Production
- Exhibit Fabrication
- Exhibit Producers
- Exhibit Rental
- Experiential Agency
- Flooring
- Graphics
- International Exhibit Producers
- Kiosks
- Lead Retrieval
- Modular Exhibit Systems
- Portable Display Systems
- Shipping and Transportation
- All Companies