The enduring value of networking as a driver of events was on full display at the 20th anniversary of the Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF), produced by Lippman Connects in the USA. ECEF 2021, which took place 2-3 November, brought together 182 in-person attendees at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington VA, plus 19 online attendees.
“Even as the seats were filling for my welcome message, the excitement in the room was electrifying,” said Sam Lippman, president, Lippman Connects. “While we were honoured by the strong show of support from the ECEF community, our clients were ecstatic to be in the same room together.”
Having pivoted to digital in 2020, ECEF pivoted again in 2021 offering both in-person and online options. Each time the audience followed, underlining the importance of what ECEF provides to executives at association and independent event organisers.
In addition to extended networking breaks, a Networking Lounge was open all day as was TechDemo, featuring event tech solutions from leading vendors. Making connections also proved to be a thread connecting the presentations. Beginning with Lippman’s ‘5 Key Data Points in 5 Minutes’ and continuing through the day, every presentation included a nod to how in-person events and networking go together.
Additional presenters were David Adler, chairman and founder, BizBash, a Tarsus Company; John Cordier, CEO, Epistemix; Robyn Davis, CEO, Exhibitors WINH; John Hoffman, CEO and director, GSMA; Robert Mesirow, partner and connected solutions/IoT Leader, PwC; Monique Ruff-Bell, event director, Money 20/20 USA; Richard Scarfo, president, HLTH; Robert Svedberg, principal, TVSDESIGN; and Rhonda Wunderlin, senior VP, Performance Marketing, Questex.
Freeman provided the digital platform and served as Gold Sponsor.
