September Newsletter 2023
2023 EDPA Foundation Scholarships Awarded
The EDPA Foundation has announced this year’s scholarship recipients. The 2023 scholarships were awarded to 12 students. Rebecca Thompson, EDPA Foundation Board, and Scholarship Chair stated, “I’m excited to say that the Foundation Scholarship Program received 27 applications this year, the most in the history of our program. Selecting twelve from such a group of amazing individuals was incredibly difficult and we hope those that didn’t make the list will apply again next year. To date, we have awarded over $ $400,000 to industry families. This is made possible because of the many generous people and companies that support EDPA and the EDPA Foundation. We remain eternally grateful and are committed to keeping the program alive and growing for years to come.”
2023 EDPA Foundation Scholarship Winners
| Student | University |
|---|---|
| Charlotte Riches | Princeton University |
| Samuel Umholtz | University Neveda Reno |
| Hanah McNair | University of North Texas |
| Brett Imby | Saginaw Valley State University |
| Nora Hannigan | West Chester University |
| Osker Gamboa | Nevada State College |
| Cassandra Strenke | Grand Canyon University |
| Hayda Toro | Georgia State University |
| Akeylah Francis | Georgia Gwinnett College |
| Amber DeLap | Virginia Tech |
| Shannon Green | Villanova University |
| Alyssa Lego | Boston College |
Join Us for ACCESS 2023
Order Your Tickets Today
Our industry continues to recover rapidly, and the business environment is in a constant state of change. As leaders, we must look at all facets of our business to ensure we are preparing for what’s coming next. Join us at EDPA ACCESS 2023 to talk with your peers about innovative ways to Customize Your Enterprise. We will focus this year’s conversations on the greatest challenges facing businesses today and creating solutions that align with your goals and objectives.
How does the creative process drive innovation? How is AI changing the realities of face-to-face marketing? How should you lead your organization in a time of change? How did the CIA master the art of disguise in the recent past? These are just a few of the topics you’ll have the opportunity to explore when you join us at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point from November 28th to 30th.
ACCESS 2023 Keynote Speaker Jonna Mendez, shares her experience as Chief of Disguise for the CIA and how her Book -"Moscow Rules" can be applied to business
Click here to see the full speaker line up.
EDPA Awards Submissions Due October 2nd
– Submit Your Entries Today
Nominate an outstanding individual or recognize your company. There are 10 award categories to choose from. Click here to submit your nomination today . The deadline is October 2nd.
Award categories include:
The Hazel Hays Award - recognizes an individual for outstanding contribution to the experiential/exhibit industry overall. The award is the highest honor bestowed by EDPA.
The Ambassador Award - acknowledges an individual for outstanding service or contribution to EDPA and the industry.
Designer of the Year Award - acknowledges a designer who works to enhance the professional standards of experiential/exhibit designers.
The Eddie Awards - recognizes outstanding creative achievements for self-promotion within the experiential/event industry across categories.
International Collaboration Award - recognizes companies that have formed international partnerships to deliver outstanding work for their clients.
Future Leaders Award - honoring the best and brightest young professionals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities.
Chapter of the Year Awards - acknowledges outstanding chapters for their diligence and hard work in promoting EDPA and its innovative ways of forging ahead.
Enter now! The deadline for the awards is Monday, October 2, 2023.
Together, We Can Help the Exhibitor Succeed.
By: Jessica Sibila, Executive Director, The Exhibitor Advocate
In an industry that has so many moving parts, it's difficult to know which party to hold accountable when something goes wrong. How do you explain to your client that they’re holding the wrong party accountable? When your role is all about customer service and the client is looking at you expectantly for answers, credits, and refunds, how can you possibly deny them? You can’t tell them it’s not your fault and walk away. That’s how you lose a client. And you can’t tell them to go after the truly responsible party because the contract states that party is not responsible even if it’s their fault. You’re stuck.
In our industry, no one is accountable for lost freight on the show floor. If there’s a new rule that wasn’t in the show kit, the responsibility still falls on the exhibitor to follow the rule… including whatever late charges come with it.
Typically, exhibitors rely on their exhibit house partner to help them navigate the on-site experience. These exhibitors look to their exhibit house partner not only to build the booth, but to also manage the show services, address onsite issues, and sometimes even staff their booth for them.
The challenge comes when there’s a major issue that pops up, or an expense that hits the invoice that wasn’t planned for. That’s when the client, who may have never been to a show and/or doesn’t understand how the industry works, looks at you to take financial responsibility for the surprise.
This is why you should care about The Exhibitor Advocate.
The Exhibitor Advocate, a newly formed, non-profit trade association is dedicated to exhibitors. We provide resources and tools to help exhibitors be more successful. We advocate on behalf of exhibitors for things like open communication, predictable pricing and simpler rules and regulations. We collaborate with all industry stakeholders to ensure exhibitions and events remain a valuable and irreplaceable marketing channel.
And we need your help…
As Exhibit Designers and Producers, you have direct access to the exhibitors that could benefit from membership with The Exhibitor Advocate. Membership is free because it’s critical we have as many exhibitor voices as possible. The larger our organization, the more power we have to advocate for change.
Please share our organization with your clients and guide them on how to get involved. Show your support of The Exhibitor Advocate and become a donor or sponsor. We rely on the support of our donors and sponsors to continue building our organization and provide the valuable resources and tools that support and empower all exhibitors and ensure the sustainability of our industry for the future.
Learn more at www.exhibitoradvocacy.com or connect with us directly at info@exhibitoradvocacy.com.
Check out the EDPA SHOP
EDPA Las Vegas
Event Title: EDPA Oktoberfest Mixer
Event Date: Tuesday, October 10
Event Location: Able Baker Brewing
Time: 5:30 - 7:30pm PDT
Event Description: Celebrate with industry peers at EDPA Las Vegas Oktoberfest mixer and craft beer tasting. Wine and appetizers will also be included. $20/person. Sponsorship opportunities available.
Registration link: https://www.edpalv.com/upcoming-events
EDPA Northeast
Event Title: NYC Happy Hour
Date: Thursday, September 28
Location: Coming Soon - New York, NY
Time: TBD
Event Description: Traveling to NYC for Toy Fair 2023? Come join the EDPA Northeast for our first NY Happy Hour!
Registration link: Coming soon!
EDPA Northwest
Event Title: Creative Content Creation in The Land of AI
Date: Tuesday, September 26
Location: Online
Time: 10:00am PST/1:00pm EDT start time
Event Description: Have you dabbled in AI and have questions on how to use it and use it well? Or want to level up your skills and try new practices?
Join content coach Lisa Apolinski on how to use AI in your content creation strategy. In this interactive session, you will learn:
The applications of AI in content creation
Best practices on content generation techniques
Hands on coaching and guidance to navigate the interface.
All questions welcome! It's time to explore the land of AI and content creation.
Registration link: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/37648557-1bb3-475f-bc12-8648a79dde54@a30b89a5-3a30-4b00-874b-e1b28898ff03
EDPA Southeast Chapter
Event Title: The Randy
Date: Friday, October 6
Location: Stone Mountain Golf Club at 1145 Stonewall Jackson Dr., Stone Mountain, GA
Time: 8:00am EDT Check-In
Event Description: Join us for the 29th Annual Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic. Golf is full at this time. We do have available sponsorships and banquet tickets available.
Registration link: www.rsmgc.org
EDPA Great Lakes
Event Title: EDPA Great Lakes Annual Golf Outing
Date: Monday, September 18
Location: Mystic Creek Golf Course in Milford, MI
Time: 11:00am EDT Shot Gun Start
Event Description: Join the Greak Lakes Chapter for our annual golf outing. A light dinner will be served following golf.
Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/edpa-great-lakes-annual-golf-outing-tickets-6880804962
EDPA Midwest
Event Title: Networking Social: Design Challenge Program Kick-Off
Date: Monday, October 2
Location: TBA – location will be walking distance of McCormick Place
Time: 4:00-7:00pm CDT
Event Description: The EDPA Midwest is excited to kick off our annual Design Challenge program. For the second year in a row, we are partnering with a class of Senior Graphic Design students from Carthage College. Industry members will guide the class through a tour of the WEFTEC show and then we will gather for a social happy-hour event after the tour. Enjoy the opportunity to meet the students in-person and network with industry friends from 4-7pm!
Registration link: No registration needed.
EDPA Midwest
Event Title: Strikes & Scares Bowling Event
Date: Thursday, October 19
Location: Bowlero - 558 E North Ave., Glendale Heights, IL 60139
Time: 5:00 - 8:00pm CDT
Event Description: Join the EDPA Midwest for the 6th annual Strikes & Scares bowling event benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association. Bowl for a good cause with us on Thursday, October 19th at Bowlero in Glendale Heights, IL. We’ll be networking from 5-6 pm and bowling from 6-8pm. Don’t miss out on scary good raffle and silent auction prizes!
Registration link: Registration link to be released on EDPA Midwest social channels soon!