April Newsletter 2022
Dear EDPA Members & Friends,
I hope 2022 has started off well for everyone. Our industry is buzzing again after two long years. That is not to say our industry does not continue to have struggles, but I believe the worst is behind us.
My first quarter as EDPA president has been busy working with EDPA’s Executive Committee and the Board of Directors to ensure we move forward on our mission to drive growth within the experiential, exhibit, and event industry through advocacy, networking, education, and good works.
Advocacy (Industry, Exhibitor, Workforce)
EDPA’s advocacy efforts have never been stronger. We continue to call for legislative relief for our industry. We are working closely with our government affiliations team (Cassidy & Associates) and the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance (led by Tommy Goodwin). Our focus remains on enlisting Congressional leaders' support for the MUSIC Act (expansion of SVOG program to include our industry) and the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) restoration.
EDPA’s exhibitor advocacy efforts continue to provide a platform for exhibitors to communicate. Now, more than ever, there is an opportunity for the industry to help raise awareness of exhibitors' needs and create a dialogue between exhibitors, suppliers, and show management.
As our industry recovers, our workforce challenges grow. This is a key issue for our industry and EDPA is committed to working on these challenges with a dedicated Future Workforce committee. We are aligning industry resources to promote career opportunities within the industry and help identify new talent.
Education & Networking
EDPA remained committed to hosting our annual face-to-face events, ENGAGE and ACCESS through the pandemic. We were able to showcase how live events could be held in a safe and effective manner. We appreciate all those who were able to join us.
This year we look forward to continuing our events on a grander scale. First up is ENGAGE22, taking place June 19th from 2 pm – 6 pm at Area15 in Las Vegas, Nevada. ENGAGE22 will be our most experiential event to date and will be held just prior to ExhibitorLive. I encourage all our members to attend and we welcome clients and guests as well. Registration is open – click here to order tickets or find out more: https://www.edpa.com/engage-program.
EDPA ACCESS 2022 (our annual conference) will take place in San Antonio, Texas at La Cantera’s Resort & Spa. Join us from November, 29th – to December 1st. Join us for three days of industry-critical sessions and great networking opportunities. This is our industry’s not to be missed event.
EDPA’s nine local chapters continue to expand, delivering additional networking opportunities and educational content. Our chapters are working together to provide new information on advocacy, mental health, selfless giving, sustainability, and much more. You can find recorded versions of many of these events on EDPA’s website - https://www.edpa.com/edpa-content.
Good Works
EDPA’s charitable efforts are driven through the EDPA Foundation. In 2021, EDPAF distributed more than $191,000 in financial support back to the industry (the most since EDPAF was created). These efforts include:
Family Scholarships – scholarship applications for 2022 are now being accepted. Any immediate family member of an individual working within the exhibition industry, that has been accepted for attendance at a post-high school educational institute, is eligible to apply. Visit https://www.edpa.com/edpafoundation for more information.
University Affiliations – EDPAF continues to work with Bemidji State University and Fashion Institute of Technology which have programs designed specifically for our industry. BSU/FIT Design students are eager to connect with members of the experiential design industry and have a wide array of skills, including concept development, rendering, drafting, prototyping, lighting design, branding, and graphic design—to name a few.
The Randy – EDPAF remains the largest contributor to the charitable event that helps families in the exhibition industry who have suffered severe tragedies or face insurmountable medical expenses. This year’s 28th annual RSMC will be held at Stone Mountain Golf course on October 7th.
Advocacy – the financial support from EDPAF has been critical to EDPA’s advocacy fight and we appreciate their ongoing help.
As the industry looks to rebuild, EDPA is looking to rebuild our membership base. We want to thank those member companies who were able to stay committed to EDPA through the pandemic. We also welcome back previous members and welcome new members who want to be part of the industry’s most engaging association.
EDPA is well-positioned to move our agenda forward in 2022. I look forward to seeing or talking with you soon!
Dan Serebin
EDPA President
Bemidji State University Exhibit & Experience Design Students
Virtual Portfolio Review Day!
Exhibit and Experience Designers are the hands, minds, and souls behind building meaningful stories and captivating attendees in memorable ways. Design students in The School of Technology, Art, and Design (The TAD School) at Bemidji State University (BSU) are at the forefront of developing these experiences and ensuring they spark lasting impressions. In the past 20 years, no institution has placed more designers into EDPA member companies than BSU.
Suppose you want to get involved in cultivating the minds of such future design experts. In that case, we are looking for industry members from EDPA companies to be virtual reviewers at our annual Portfolio Review Day on April 29, 2022. Furthermore, if your organization is a member of the EDPA and wants to be involved in the overall direction of educating the future workforce, join The TAD School Advisory Board at BSU.
Click here to learn more about the annual Portfolio Review Day and preview student design work. If your organization is interested in joining The TAD School Advisory Board, please contact Professor Sachel Josefson at sjosefson@bemidjistate.edu.
Have You Purchased Your Tickets for ENGAGE2022?
Now On-Sale!
EDPA’s annual mid-year event ENGAGE22 is back on June 19th at Area15 in Las Vegas, Nevada prior to the opening of EXHIBITORLIVE 2022. Join us for one of the industry’s best educational and networking opportunities.
Thank You ENGAGE22 Sponsors!
ENGAGE Sponsorships Available!
ENGAGE22 sponsorship packages are still available. Showcase your brand while helping to support EDPA.
Contact Dasher Lowe - dlowe@edpa.com
(or call 1-866-806-3372) to reserve your sponsorship today!
EDPA Foundation Scholarships Deadline Approaching!
EDPA Foundation Scholarships Now Being Accepted!
The EDPA Foundation Scholarship Fund was created in 2004 to help industry members and their families pursue university-level of study. What started as a local golf tournament in Las Vegas in 2002 has grown help over 100 scholarships for a total of more than $300,000!
Any immediate family member of an individual working anywhere in the exhibition industry, who has graduated or will graduate high school and has been accepted for attendance at a post-high school educational institute, is eligible to apply.
Visit https://www.edpa.com/edpafoundation for more information and to start the application process. EDPA has partnered again with Exhibitforce to leverage an administration engine for applicants and past recipients, but you must initiate the process no later than May 2, 2022.
If you have questions or need more information, contact Kari Peters @ kpeters@edpa.com.
EDPA Future Leaders Meet-Up at EXHIBITORLIVE
Grab a drink and join the EDPA Future Leaders group for a special meet-up during the EXHIBITORLIVE welcome reception. Network and connect with influential industry leaders and share resources to build your professional and personal brand and advance your career. This is your opportunity to mix, mingle, and connect with like-minded individuals who are already making a difference in our industry. Let us know you’re coming by registering with the link below:
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Bayside B Exhibit Hall, Level 1
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/edpa-future-leaders-meet-up-at-exhibitorlive-tickets-305090262187
EDPA Midwest Chapter
Event Title: Dr. Karen Cassiday presents: A Human’s Guide to Thriving…Even When You Are Not
Event Date: May 12
Event Location: Itasca Country Club
Time: 4pm to 7pm
Event Description: Dr. Karen Cassiday, the managing director of The Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago. Dr. Cassiday is a clinical psychologist who will help arm us for the battles that may lie ahead.
Registration link: https://www.edpamidwest.org/
EDPA NorthEast
Event Title: 2022 Rally at the Alley
Event Date: May 5
Event Location: Splitsville Luxury Lanes, 220 Patriot Pl, Foxborough, MA 02035
Time: 6:00pm EST - 9:00pm EST
Event Description: The 2022 “Rally at the Alley” Industry Fundraiser for Joe Reynoso, from Creative Dimensions, returns to Splitsville at Foxborough’s Patriot Place on May 5th. Read Joe’s story, and get involved by sponsoring or registering below.
Registration link: 2022 Rally at the Alley — EDPA Northeast
EDPA Northwest
The Northwest Chapter board is kicking off with a statement! Since the pandemic we have collaborated and listened to what you have had to say. We are rebranding EDPA NorCal to be EDPA Northwest. This initiative is to include companies from surrounding states located in the northwest. As a chapter we are able to be more flexible and offer events in different locations such as Portland, Denver, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and more.
Event Title: CHAPTERS COLLIDE @ EXHIBITORLIVE 2022 - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Event Date: JUNE 20, 2022 - More details on location and time to follow soon.
EDPA SoCal
Event Title: 1st Annual Surf City USA Charity Golf Tournament
Event Date: May 9
Event Location: “The Huntington Club” located at 6501 Palm Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Time: Tee time is 12:00pm PST - Shotgun Start
Event Description: This year’s golf event will be held on the morning of Monday the 9th of May at the prestigious and newly renovated private course of “The Huntington Club” located at 6501 Palm Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92648.
Golf Event Details:
Tee time is 12 Noon Shotgun Start.
Green Fees are $175 and include:
- Range balls
- Greens fees
- Golf cart
- Boxed lunches
- South Of the Border Buffet Dinner
- OPEN BAR
Scramble format with Trophies and prizes for placing on team low combined score.
Awards and golf raffle presented at dinner!
Club rentals are available on a reservation basis payable directly to the course upon arrival at the pro shop.
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Boxed Lunch SponsorOpen Bar SponsorHole Sponsor
For Sponsorship Opportunities, or Phone Reservations for you and your Team foursome contact:
Bill Hinchliff from IPME Corp. (Cell: 310.420.0027 / Email: Bill@goipme.com)
Registration link: http://www.edpasocal.com/golftournament
EDPA Texas Chapter
Event Title: Bi-Weekly Zoom Calls & “Are You Covered? The ins and outs of Insurance in the Event Industry” an educational Zoom event.
Event Date: Trivia Night – March 9 / Happy Hour & Wellness Check – March 30 / “Are You Covered? The ins and outs of Insurance in the Event Industry” – March 29
Event Location: Zoom
Event Time: Trivia & HH/Wellness Check - 5:00pm CST / “Are You Covered? The ins and outs of Insurance in the Event Industry” – 2pm CST
Event Description:
Trivia Night – SPONSORED BY CLASSIC EXHIBITS – Join us for a fun evening, and test your trivia skills aiming to win a $50 Amazon gift card.
Happy Hour & Wellness Check - Casual Conversations about life, the industry, with adult beverages for those who wish to partake.
Are You Covered? The ins and outs of Insurance in the Event Industry – Join us for an educational zoom meeting with insurance and tradeshow industry expert Austin Anderson to learn more about how to make sure you have the coverage you need. Eventbrite page and registration details coming soon!
Registration link: Free to all, just email Noelle Webster at noelle.webster@willwork.com for an invite.