August Newsletter
Registration is now open for EDPA ACCESS 2024, happening from Tuesday, December 3rd to Thursday, December 5th, 2024. This year, we're heading to the stunning Hyatt Regency Indian Wells in Palm Desert, CA. Don't wait – register now and secure your hotel room at the exclusive EDPA rate of just $274 per night (includes discounted resort fee of $25 per night). Click here to learn more & register.
Celebrating 70 Years with the Theme "Innovate. Elevate. Collaborate."
This year, we're celebrating EDPA's 70th anniversary with a focus on "Innovate. Elevate. Collaborate." Join us as we celebrate our rich history and look forward to a future filled with continued innovation, growth, and strong partnerships.
Dive into Unmatched Content
EDPA ACCESS 2024 is packed with content designed to equip you with the data, tools, and insights to tackle today's challenges head-on. And you’ll be with the people ready to support you in your journey - with guidance from inspiring keynote speakers, industry thought leaders, and your peers. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing have always been the backbone of EDPA ACCESS, and this year is no different.
Over three dynamic days, we will INNOVATE, ELEVATE, and COLLABORATE.
Our exceptional keynote speakers will inspire you to seize opportunities and embrace your roles as industry leaders. You'll also delve into essential topics like AI, future workforce, sustainability, emotional intelligence, leadership styles, using industry data, and more.
We are thrilled to announce our keynote speakers:
Jessica Cox, a motivational speaker who hasn't let being born without arms stop her from achieving her dreams and goals. Her story will inspire you to overcome any obstacle.
Michael Feuz, an economist who will provide valuable insights into the current state of the economy, helping you navigate the business landscape with confidence.
Ben Nemtin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of "What Do You Want to Do Before You Die?" and "The Bucket List Journal." His closing keynote will leave you motivated to pursue your own dreams and goals.
Fun, Networking, and Exploration
What would EDPA ACCESS be without some fun? On Tuesday (12/3) the event kicks off with our annual EDPA ACCESS Annual Golf Scramble at the Indian Wells Golf Resort. Golf architect Clive Clark’s much anticipated Indian Wells Celebrity Course opened November 2006 to rave reviews. This Par-72 Celebrity Course with spectacular mountain views is unrivaled in beauty and playability. From start to finish, the Celebrity Course offers an unmatched golf experience that will have players returning again and again. Tuesday, December 3, 8am-1pm.
Not a golfer? No problem! Instead, enjoy a picturesque San Andreas Jeep Tour, with lunch included! On this exciting 4WD adventure to the private Metate Ranch preserve on the San Andreas Fault, guests will experience the twisted and tortured landscape of an active earthquake fault system while the naturalist guide (driver) shares stories about the plants, animals, geology, and history of the California desert. Guests will walk between the steep walls of deep canyons created by the powerful forces of plate tectonics, water, wind, and time. In addition, they will explore a natural palm oasis where crystal clear water bubbles up from the underground aquifer and learn about the culture and lifestyle of the Cahuilla Indians and how they used the desert’s plants for food, medicine, tools, weapons, and shelter. This is a great way to discover the fascinating history of the Coachella Valley. Tuesday, December 3, 8am-1pm.
Seize Sponsorship Opportunities
This year, EDPA ACCESS has been reimagined to address feedback from you. We have NEW sponsorship opportunities available, including the exciting new Networking Zone, Breakaway Zone, Wellness Zone, and Connection Wall. Each of these are unique chances to showcase your brand in innovative spaces designed to enhance the attendee experience and foster networking.
Clich here to see sponsorship opportunities.
Special *CURATED* Program Track for Spouses & Partners
Don’t leave your special person at home – enjoy EDPA ACCESS 2024 along with them! This year’s event includes a program track specifically for attendees’ spouses and partners, packed with social activities, special events and excursions.
Find out more here.
Join Us and Refresh the Industry
Don’t miss out on your chance to celebrate our historic 70th anniversary and – more importantly – join your peers to Innovate, Elevate and Collaborate for a stronger 70 years to come. Make plans to join us at EDPA ACCESS 2024 today!
EDPA Awards Now Open for Entries!
We are now accepting submissions for the 2024 EDPA Awards. This year’s awards will be presented during ACCESS 2024 President's Gala on December 4th, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA.
Award categories include:
Ambassador Award: Acknowledges an individual for outstanding service or contribution to EDPA and the industry. Specifically, an EDPA member that has gone above and beyond to promote and participate in EDPA’s engagements and good works.
Designer of the Year Award: Acknowledges a designer who works diligently to enhance the professional standards of experiential/exhibit designers, contributes their talents, creativity, and personal time to bring innovation to experiential/exhibit design.
Hazel Hays Award: Recognizes an individual for outstanding contribution to the experiential/exhibit industry overall. The award is the highest honor bestowed by EDPA.
Future Leaders Award: The EDPA Future Leaders Program honors the best and brightest young professionals who are already making a difference with their day-to-day contributions and thought leadership.
EDDIE Award – Small Exhibits: Recognize an organization for outstanding self-promotion in the small exhibit space category.
EDDIE Award – 20 x 20 or Larger: Recognize an organization for outstanding self-promotion in the large exhibit space category.
EDDIE Award – Print Matter Campaign: Recognize an organization for outstanding self-promotion in the advertising, promotional material/brochures, direct mail, etc.
EDDIE Award – Online or Multi-Media: Recognize an organization for outstanding self-promotion in the website, video, email, animations, etc.
EDDIE Award – Best End-to-End Customer Experience: Recognize an organization for outstanding self-promotion in the integrated campaign across channels.
EDDIE Award – Sustainability: Recognize an organization for the effort your company has made to reduce your impact to the environment.
EDPA International Collaboration Award: Recognize companies which have, through their membership in the EDPA, formed international partnerships to deliver outstanding work for their clients within an international format.
Chapter of the Year Award: Recognize an EDPA Chapter based on 8 categories: Membership, programs, fund-raising, student assistance, National programs, public relations, website, enthusiasm, and creativity.
The deadline for the awards is October 4, 2024. You must be an active EDPA member to participate.
Find the award submission instructions at EDPA Awards. Enter Today!
EDPA/IFES International Professional
Exchange Program Launches
The value of an international professional exchange program has never been more apparent in our increasingly interconnected world. Coalitions like these can serve as a bridge, fostering cross-cultural understanding, professional development, and global collaboration. There is a need to bring this type of opportunity for young professionals to the exhibit industry, but it hasn't been done before...until now.
The Exchange was initiated by three representatives of EDPA companies from The Inside (NL), Deckel & Moneypenny (USA), and Happy Projects (USA). Their aim was to create opportunities for young professionals to travel and experience diverse work environments, cultures, and practices.
The exhibit industry is a tight-knit community; an exchange celebrates this intertwined group and brings awareness to the opportunities it has to offer the future generations who will carry and transform it.
Reed Sowder, an Exhibit Designer at Deckel & Moneypenny, was the first candidate selected to participate. Through online introductions with company leaders, open minds (and open calendars), a plan was made for Reed to join The Inside for six weeks in Europe to immerse herself in European build techniques, material innovations, and design trends. She was eager to embrace this journey of growth, learning, and creativity with the goal of incorporating and sharing her findings back at Deckel & Moneypenny.
EDPA/IFES International Professional Exchange Program Goals
Cultural Immersion
Expand Professional Network
Sharpen Design Skills
Cultivate Creativity
International Experience
Mentor & Education
Expand Professional & Personal Horizons
Experience of a Lifetime
Portfolio Diversification
Reed spent much of her time at The Inside attending trade shows throughout Europe, where she gathered inspiration from European design and got to learn more about the organization of trade shows in Europe. "European trade shows are largely different than those in the U.S., especially referring to event cadence, venue scale, build-up practices, hospitality standards, and stand materiality (or ‘booth’ as we would say in the U.S). It's interesting to see those differences firsthand," she said. Alongside attending trade shows, Reed worked on a couple of projects at The Inside where she applied what she’s learned at trade shows and from the Inside designers. She also continued to work on projects for Deckel & Moneypenny back in the US. "It was a bit of a balancing act sometimes, but I enjoyed every moment. I tried to make it a priority to fully immerse and be present in this once-in-a-life- time experience, while staying informed on what’s happening back in the States.”
Looking ahead, Reed hopes to bring back the sustainable and efficient practices she observed at The Inside. She’s particularly keen on promoting the reuse of materials and implementing clear project management techniques to improve processes at D&M. "I hope to bring back a greater emphasis on sustainability and the reuse of materials to my work in the US. The Inside has a library of resources that can be re-utilized, which is something we should definitely adopt more in the US,” she shared. She also gained knowledge of the latest trends in exhibit design that she is exciting to bring home. "Trends often start in Europe and then make their way to the US, so being here has given me a head start on what's coming next." Beyond the professional insights, Reed’s exchange has been rich with personal connections. She has met and worked alongside talented individuals, expanding her network.
The program continues with Happy Projects Operations Manager, Nay Bielva joining Deckle & Moneypenny this month and Linde Heerdink from The Inside will arriving at Deckel & Moneypenny in October.
If your company has interest in participating in the International Professional Exchange Program, contact EDPA's International Committee Chair, Paco Collazo (paco@happyprojects.us).
EDPA Foundation Update
The EDPAF is thrilled to announce that we hope to award our largest ever collection of scholarships during the 2025 school year. True to its promise, the EDPAF remains committed to its goal of doing more good for the EDPA community.
Today we want to highlight one of our bright recipients for 2025. Samatha Hober will be attending Elmhurst University in the fall as a member of the class of 2026. Samatha will be studying early childhood education and hopes to give back to the young people in her community. Samantha is the family member of an employee of Downing Displays. Please join us in congratulating Samantha! We wish her good luck in the years ahead!
Stay tuned for next month’s scholarship recipient highlight. We have many great stories to tell. And please remember, if you would like to become a supporter of the EDPA Foundation, reach out to me for more information (alex.hill@taylor.com).
Announcing EDPA’s Annual Update & Member Directory
EDPA is once again partnering with Exhibitor magazine to produce an exclusive supplement in the December/January issue of EXHIBITOR magazine. Enhance your company’s lisitng with:
Full-page Ad – Reaching 20,000+ EXHIBITOR Subscribers
NEW! Submit your banner ad for inclusion in the weekly EXHIBITOR Newsletter eblast throughout the year. Sent to 23k subscribers and typically produces 5k+ unique opens.
NEW! Submit a print ad of your preferred size to be included in EXHIBITOR magazine throughout the year.
Digital exposure on ExhibitorOnline.com for 2 months
4,000 Banner Impressions
Bonus distribution at EDPA ACCESS, EXHIBITORLIVE, and IAEE Expo! Expo!
Logo Enhanced Listing in EDPA Member Directory
Your support will assist EDPA in promoting: EDPA’s Member Directory, EDPA Chapters, EDPA Foundation, EDPA’s Future Workforce and Education Initiatives, EDPA’s ENGAGE & ACCESS events…And More!
Reservation Deadline is September 26, 2024 – don’t wait! Contact Dana Baldwin, Account Executive: 502-550-5034 or dbaldwin@exhibitorgroup.com
EDPA Southeast
Event Title: Get Out of the Gutter, for a good cause!
Date: Thursday, August 22nd
Location: Bowlmor Lanes at 2175 Savoy Drive in Atlanta, GA
Time: 4:30 – 8:30pm EST
Event Description: Join the SE EDPA Chapter for the 17th annual team bowling event to help support the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic! Sponsorships Available – Check out the website!
Registration link: Event Website
EDPA Texas
Event Title: EDPA Future Workforce: Talking the Talk and Walking the Walk
Date: Tuesday, August 27th
Location: Zoom
Time: 3:00pm CST
Event Description: When it comes to the EDPA Future Workforce initiatives, 'talking the talk' only goes so far. Now it is time to 'walk the walk'! Join the Texas EDPA chapter and Future Workforce committee members to learn how about the resources that are available and what you can do to get involved with our efforts. All Chapter and EDPA National Members are encouraged to join! Topics of Discussion include:
Why is Future Workforce Important to EDPA
What is EDPA Assets are available to use at a Future Workforce event and how to request them
What relevant conversations and messaging should be happening at these event
Registration link: Event Website
EDPA Northwest
Event Title: Booze & Bingo Fundraiser
Date: Wednesday, August 28th
Location: Online Teams Link
Time: 1:00pm PST / 4:00pm EST
Description: Join us on August 28th at 1:00pm PST for our first webinar fundraiser. This year we will be donating all proceeds to The Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic. The objective of the RSMGC is to help families in the exhibition industry who have suffered severe tragedies or face insurmountable medical expenses. Their commitment is to provide financial and emotional support to all past and present recipients and their families.
Registration & Sponsorship Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/943021501697?aff=oddtdtcreator
EDPA Northeast
Event Title: The Classic Golf Tournament
Date: Monday, September 9th
Location: Cyprian Keyes Golf Club - 284 East Temple Street, Boylston, MA, 01505
Time: 12:00 - 6:00pm EST
Event Description: Join us for the Northeast Chapter's Annual Golf Tournament
Registration link: https://edpanortheast.com/blog/2024/7/9/the-classic-edpa-northeast-annual-charity-golf-tournament
EDPA Texas
Event Title: Texas EDPA Trivia Night
Date: Wednesday, September 11th and Wednesday, October 9th
Location: Zoom
Time: 4:00 - 5:00pm CST
Description: Monthly trivia game hosted by TEXAS EDPA & sponsored by Classic Exhibits – Every month is a different challenger, but all EDPA members are welcome to attend! – September’s challenger is EDPA Northwest and October's challenger is EDPA Southeast!
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82368665493?pwd=bFFiamd4Mng0Rm1aT0xHOTV5eGt4UT09
EDPA Las Vegas
Event Title: Oktoberfest 2024
Location: Able Baker Brewery at 1510 S. Main St, Suite 120, Las Vegas, NV 89104
Date: Wednesday, October 2nd
Time: 6:00 - 8:00pm PST
Description: Sign Up today - Advance Registration is appreciated - $30 per person through 9/23, then $40 per person after 9/23. Registration includes Beer, Wine, and appetizers from 6:00-8:00pm. Event Sponsors are also needed. Your Sponsorship not only gives exposure to your company, but also enables EDPA to organize meaningful events like this one!*
Registration link: Oktoberfest 2024
Event Title: Strikes & Scares Annual Bowling
Date: Thursday, October 17th
Location: Bowlero Glendale Heights 558 E North Ave., Glendale Heights, IL 60139
Time: 5:00 - 8:00pm CST
Event Description: Join the EDPA Midwest at the 7th annual Strikes & Scares bowling event benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association. Networking from 5-6 pm and bowling from 6-8pm. Register as a team of 4, single bowler, or social/non-bowler today. Feel free to dress in your spookiest Halloween attire, and don’t miss out on scary good raffle and silent auction prizes!
Registration link: https://www.edpamidwest.org/event-details/7th-annual-strikes-scares-bowling-event