EDPA President’s Update – Chris Griffin
Happy New Year!
EDPA’s ACCESS 2023 in Bonita Springs, Florida just six weeks ago was a huge success. If you were not able to attend, I urge you to save the dates for ACCESS 2024 on your calendar. It will take place December 3rd - 5th, 2024, in beautiful Palm Springs, California (The Hyatt Regency in Indian Wells, CA to be precise). Two other dates I’d like you to put on your radar are Legislative Action Day (May 30th on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.) and the upcoming EDPA ENGAGE24 event, happening Sunday evening February 25th during ExhibitorLIVE! Week in Nashville, TN.
The positive energy felt at ACCESS was a reflection of what we are seeing in the industry, and 2024 has started out just as strong. We’re seeing a Q1 and Q2 trade show line up that promises to deliver many great opportunities for all EDPA member companies. Here at EDPA headquarters, we too are focused on growth and “the work” in 2024.
Our 2024 priorities for EDPA include continuing to grow and develop our industry’s workforce. This year, you’ll feel our greater and deeper commitment to educational tools for that workforce. We will continue engaging our elected officials in meaningful ways, reminding them often of the powerful contributions the business events industry makes to the U.S. economy. You’ll experience more and greater networking events for our community of members, happening at both the national level and via our incredible Future Leaders and Chapter groups. And advocacy and industry relations are now core tenets of ours, allowing us to make significant gains for both EDPA member companies and the broader event community at large. And of course, our unshakeable commitment to the good works programs that help and support our industry’s employees and families will remain at the heart of everything we do.
We need everyone’s participation this year to achieve and succeed as an association. We will be reaching out to you in the coming months to ask you to join us in this important work.
On behalf of Dasher Lowe, Kari Peters and your EDPA Board, thank you for your commitment to EDPA. We all look forward to seeing you throughout the year in 2024!
Chris Griffin
EDPA President
We are looking forward to seeing everyone at
ExhibitorLive in Nashville February 25th – 28th.
Sunday 2/25
6:30 pm - EDPA ENGAGE 24 kicks off the week in Nashville with our annual ENGAGE event onboard the General Jackson Showboat
Monday 2/26
9:00 am - EDPA Board of Directors Q1 Meeting
5:00 pm – ExhibitorLive First Timers Reception
6:00 pm – ExhibitorLive Welcome Reception
Tuesday 2/27
10:00 am – ExhibitorLive show floor opens. Stop by the EDPA booth (#755) and say hello. Also make sure to meet the FIT and BSU students and see their portfolios at the EDPA Foundation University Affiliations Booth (#758)
3:00 pm – EDPA Future Leaders meetup at ExhibitorLIVE in The Square
(show floor)8:00 pm – EDPA Chapters Collide. Stay tuned - more details to come from the EDPA chapters on the location for their annual social gathering
Wednesday 2/28
10:00 am - Exhibitor Live Strategic Partner hour on show floor
11:00 am - ExhibitorLive show floor opens. EDPA booth (#755) EDPA Foundation University Affiliations Booth (#758)
ENGAGE 24 – Tickets Now on Sale!
Join us for ENGAGE 24 happening Sunday, February 25th from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm in Nashville just prior to the opening of ExhibitorLive. Come aboard the General Jackson Showboat for an evening of fun including dinner, casino games and live music.
ENGAGE Tickets are $185 each for EDPA members and $225 each for non-members. Includes dinner, drink tickets, entertainment and transportation to and from Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Don't miss this must-attend event for EDPA members.
ENGAGE 24 Sponsorship Still Available
A limited number of ENGAGE 24 sponsorship packages are still available. Showcase your brand while helping to support EDPA. ENGAGE sponsorship benefits include:
Acknowledgement on all event communications including email
and social blastsLogo and 50-word company description and contact information included on event website
Recognition as a sponsor on-site and on printed materials and signage
If you are interested in a sponsorship opportunity to promote your brand, contact Nick (sales@edpa.com) to learn more.
2024 EDPA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
& BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EDPA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chris Griffin – CREW XP (President)
Dan Serebin – Derse (President Emeritus)
Michael McMahon – Hill & Partners (Vice President)
Tara Ericson – beMatrix (Vice President )
Steve Deckel – Deckel & Moneypenny (Vice President)
Liz Nacron – Live Marketing (Vice President)
Jim Obermeyer– Bray Leino (EDPA Foundation Liaison)
Dasher Lowe – EDPA (Executive Director)
EDPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rob Cohen - Display Supply & Lighting
Paco Collazo - Happy Projects
BJ Enright - Tradeshow Logic
Dana Esposito – BlueHive
Brad Falberg - Exhibitus
Vishal Goyal – Aria AV Rentals
Axel von Hagen – von Hagen GmbH
Elliot Kohn – Kubik
Matthew Little – Nuvista
Gina Porcaro – Classic Exhibits
Laurie Witte - MSM Inc.
Katina Rigall Zipay – Classic Exhibits
Jason Popp - Moss (new to board)
Mark Taylor – Apogee (new to board)
James Zacharias – Brumark (new to board)
If you are interested in joining the EDPA Board of Directors,
Click here for application
New Exhibitions Industry Collective with Priorities Centered Around Workforce Development, Sustainability
and Health and Safety
EDPA recently announced its participation with the International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE) on the creation of the Exhibitions Industry Collective to drive awareness on essential issues within the exhibitions ecosystem.
The Exhibitions Industry Collective is comprised of six key industry organizations including Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA), Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA), International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE), International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), and the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO).
Each organization has previously worked together on industry advocacy with ECA and are now expanding this effort to address workforce development, sustainability, and health and safety as a unified effort. By leveraging the strengths in their respective fields, the Collective will better serve the larger exhibitions and events community by bringing more awareness to key stakeholders and a defined path of success for each member base.
“EDPA has been a leader in advancing the trade show and event industry with a number of initiatives focused on workforce development and sustainability. We are excited to further partner with our sister associations to continue to build upon these efforts” noted Dasher Lowe, EDPA Executive Director.
To kick off 2024, IAEE will host a virtual Exhibitions Industry Awareness Week from 20-23 February and will feature each of the six organizations in the Collective. The purpose of Exhibitions Industry Awareness Week is to promote the exhibitions industry as a career path opportunity to students, faculty, those looking for a career change and all members in each industry sector. Attendees will learn about sector specific information including jobs available to those considering a career along with salary information, skill requirements and training needed. Registration for Exhibitions Industry Awareness Week will open at the end of January.
Exhibit City News Celebrates 30th Anniversary
Celebrating 30 years as the "voice of the tradeshow industry", Exhibit City News proudly unveils a forthcoming commemorative coffee table book. This exclusive publication, called PROJECT 30, will showcase the pivotal companies, visionary industry leaders, and transformative milestones that have shaped the narrative of the tradeshow industry.
Reflecting on this milestone, Don Svehla, publisher of ECN, remarked, "It's always important to look back to look forward." He adds, "This meticulously crafted book will serve as an invaluable resource, offering insights and inspiration to both industry veterans and newcomers alike."
As part of this celebratory initiative, ECN extends a warm invitation to members of the Exhibit Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) to explore advertising program opportunities. Join us in commemorating the past, celebrating the present, and anticipating the bright future that lies ahead.
For information contact Chris Kappes, chrisk@exhibitcitynews.com, or Don Svehla, dons@exhibitcitynews.com
EDPA Midwest
Event Title: Economic & Compensation Survey Results w/ Joe Federbush, President - EVOLIO
Date: Thursday, January 18th
Location: Itasca Country Club - 400 E Orchard St, Itasca, IL 60143
Time: 4:00 – 7:00pm CST
Event Description: Join us for a fireside chat with Joe Federbush of EVOLIO Marketing on January 18th at the Itasca Country Club. Joe will share the economic survey findings, originally presented at EDPA Access 2023. Dinner will be served at this event.
Registration: https://www.edpamidwest.org/event-details/1-18-meeting-economic-compensation-survey-results
EDPA Midwest
Event Title: Thaw Out with EDPA Midwest – Tiki Social
Date: February (date tbd)
Location: Hala Kahiki - 2834 N River Rd, River Grove, IL 60171
Time: 4:00 – 7:00pm CST
Event Description: Escape the cold weather and thaw out with friends over conversation and cocktails at the Hala Kahiki Tropical Lounge. Come as you are or wear your best Tiki inspired accessories. This event is guaranteed to warm your spirit!
Registration link: No registration needed.
EDPA Northwest
Event Title: Leveraging the Power of Universal Lead Capture for Event Success
Date: Wednesday, January 24th
Location: Online Webinar
Time: 10:00 - 11:00am PST
Event Description: Join us on January 24th at 10am PST for an eye-opening webinar that's all about leveling up your game with a Universal Lead Capture solution. Here's what's in store:
🚀 A deep dive into why "universal" beats "standard every time
🌟 Secrets to harvesting higher quality & quantity leads
🎁 How to transform your events team into a lead capture army
📈 Sneak peeks into new features that'll blow your mind!
📚 PLUS, a FREE e-book: "The Ultimate Guide to Universal Lead Capture" that will give you all the latest tips, tricks and best practices.
Why settle for less when you can have the best? 🏆 Say goodbye to the ordinary and hello to extraordinary lead capture strategies!
Registration link: https://loom.ly/3Eb_o-o
All EDPA Chapters
Event Title: Chapters Collide 2024
Date: Tuesday, February 27th
Location: Downtown Nashville (Venue TBD)
Time: 8:00PM – 10:00PM
Event Description: Catch up with EDPA chapter members from across the country at the 4th annual Chapters Collide event hosted during ExhibitorLIVE in Nashville. Stay tuned for venue and registration details.
Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/799032326197?aff=oddtdtcreator
Sponsorship Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/798872026737?aff=oddtdtcreator
EDPA Texas
Event Title: Trivia Night
Event Date: Wednesday, February 7th
Event Location: Zoom
Time: 4:00 - 5:00pm CST
Event Description: SPONSORED BY CLASSIC EXHIBITS - Join us for a fun evening and test your trivia skills aiming to win a $50 Amazon gift card. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82368665493?pwd=bFFiamd4Mng0Rm1aT0xHOTV5eGt4UT09
