September Newsletter
ACCESS 2024 Tickets Now On Sale!
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. Click here to learn more & register.
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.
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.
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.
Learn more about Jessica CoxMichael Feuz, an economist who will provide valuable insights into the current state of the economy, helping you navigate the business landscape with confidence.
Learn more about Michael FeuzBen 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.
Learn more about Ben Nemtin
ACCESS 2024 Sponsorship Opportunities –
Going Fast!
Check out all the sponsorship opportunities at ACCESS 2024 (https://www.edpa.com/sponsorship-opportunities-access). There is no better way to promote your brand to EDPA members. All sponsorship opportunities include:
Recognition of sponsorship on event communications (emails and social blasts) - including a dedicated social post
Logo and 50-word company description and contact information included on event website
Acknowledgement as sponsor at event (printed materials, signage, presentation screens)
Attendee information upon request (name and company only - we do not provide email addresses for attendees)
There are a number of choice sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities for as little as $1,000. Click here to see ACCE SS 2024 sponsorship opportunities. We are happy to customize a sponsorship or exhibitor package for your company.
To avoid missing out, get your sponsorship in today.
Contact: Nick (EDPA Sales) sales@edpa.com or
Call 770 – 714-1283 to get started.
EDPA & Exhibitor Group
Launch Certificate Program
EDPA and Exhibitor Group have teamed up to launch a one-day certificate program called Trade Show Foundations: Mastering the Basics. This program’s goal is to provide trade show vendors and suppliers who are new to the industry with basic information that will help them succeed in their career.
“Recent studies have shown that possibly 45 percent of people working for trade show industry vendors and suppliers have less than two years of experience in the industry,” said Steve Deckel, EDPA Education Chair. “This has left many companies having less institutional expertise than they’d like.”
This one-day program, which will first be held virtually as a webinar on November 7th, 2024, will cover:
Purpose, history, size and significance of trade shows in various economic sectors
Basic trade show components, types of exhibits, configuration categories, and venues used for shows
Companies, suppliers, facilities, and jobs involved in the trade show ecosystem
The design and development of exhibits, from RFP process to decision-making to load-out
Show services, technical aspects, and on-site logistics
Elements of an effective and seamless trade show experience
“Many of the small- to medium-sized vendors and suppliers that comprise this industry struggle with developing industry orientation courses,” said Deckel. “We are taking on this role for them because we know that having a broad understanding of the trade show ecosystem will help industry professionals understand the significance of their specific role and how it fits into the industry, which will inspire a compelling career path vision.”
Trade Show Foundations: Mastering the Basics will first be launched as a four and a half -hour course comprised of three 90-minute sessions held on one day virtually. The next course will be offered in person at EXHIBITORLIVE in San Antonio in March 2025 with an extra 90-minute session touring the Henry B Gonzalez Convention Center and the EXHIBITORLIVE trade show floor during installation.
Register today to earn your certificate in Trade Show Foundations: Mastering the Basics!
$495 for EDPA Members
$895 for non-members (Not a member of EDPA? Click here to join)
EDPA.com Has a Fresh New Look!
EDPA recently updated the look of EDPA.com (https://www.edpa.com/) with the help of our marketing committee led by Tara Ericson. The site was refreshed to make our member experience even better with:
Improved Grid System: Gives our pages a more organized look and makes everything easier to navigate.
Simplified Site Structure: Simpler and more intuitive for you to find what you need quickly.
Cleaner Design: Leverages the latest best practices and focuses on clarity and readability.
Easier-to-Digest Content: An easier and quicker read.
Mobile-Friendly: Optimized the site for mobile devices.
More Video Content: Added more videos across the entire site.
Check out the site updates, including the new Chapter Event Calendar and EDPA Swag Shop .
When the University of Delaware’s 2024 fall semester started, there was a new student with a big smile. Maya Liston, whose mother works at Elevation 3D, is a recipient of one of the EDPAF’s scholarships to put toward her undergraduate education. Maya is embarking on an education in biochemical engineering.
Why biochemical engineering? “I grew up looking over my dad's (Doug Liston’s) shoulder as he repaired everything our family accidentally broke. Whether it was a car, faucet, or floorboard, I was always there, learning how to solve problems beside him.”
“As a biomedical engineer, I can help solve the world's healthcare problems. Biology allows us to explore the minuscule processes that make humans so complex. Biochemical engineering will allow me to improve healthcare and discover new problem-solving methods. I will be able to build upon the things around me and create new technologies. Biochemical engineering has many diverse applications, from pharmaceuticals to tissues to prosthetics. Most importantly, I want to help make healthcare more efficient and accessible for those in need, whether through creating new medical devices or expanding on existing ones.”
We have many great stories to tell. EDPAF remains committed to doing more good. Stay tuned next month as we shared details about upcoming good works and scholarship recipients!
And please remember: If you would like to become a supporter of the EDPA Foundation, contact Alex Hill, EDPA Foundation Chair (alex.hill@taylor.com) for more information.
Join us at the 30th Randy!
This year is the 30th year for the exhibit and events industry’s Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic (The Randy), to be held September 26th at Chateau Elan Golf Resort in Brazelton, Georgia.
The objective of The Randy is to help families in the exhibition and events industry who have suffered severe tragedies or face insurmountable medical expenses. The commitment is to provide financial and emotional support to all past and present recipients and their families.
A little history: Randy Smith was a project manager for an Atlanta based exhibit house, IDEAS, Inc. He died tragically in an automobile accident on his way home after working long hours at the Super Show in January of 1995. Randy left behind a wife Jenny, and two small children, Austin and Justin.
Two of Randy’s coworkers at IDEAS, Ted Peterson and Rich Johnson, started the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic (RSMGC) in August of 1995 in hopes of helping the emotional and financial burden Randy’s death caused his family.
The first event was held at Hidden Hills Country Club in Stone Mountain, Georgia. The event was held at Hidden Hills the first four years and since then has been hosted at a variety of locations, including Berkeley Hills Country Club in Duluth, GA, St. Ives Country Club in Johns Creek, GA, The Standard Club, also located in Johns Creek, GA, Stone Mountain Golf Course in Stone Mountain, GA, and Chateau Elan in Braselton, GA.
The first two years the event focused solely on providing support for the Smith family. In 1997 the decision was made to open up the event to other families who had suffered a similar tragedy or faced true hardship. The first additional recipient was Nicole Sheldon, daughter of long-time shipping industry veteran Chris Sheldon in Wheaton, IL. Nicole was 8 years old at the time and had recently undergone a heart and liver transplant. She was said to be the “sickest child ever to leave a Chicagoland hospital alive”.
Since its inception in 1995, the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classics and it’s officially sanctioned ancillary events have assisted over 170 families with financial and emotional support with over $2 million in funds. A full list of these previous recipients can be found on the Randy website: www.rsmgc.org.
Each year, the RSMGC Board of Directors reviews and decides on who will become the beneficiaries of the events funds. In its history they have accepted over 95% of officially received assistance requests. For 2024, there are 16 financial recipients and 4 honorary recipients. You can view recipient information on the Randy website: https://rsmgc.org/about/recipients/.
Please join us this year to celebrate 30 years of giving and support for our industry. Sign up to golf, attend the banquet, or sponsor the event here: https://rsmgc.org/atlanta/.
Stay up to date with the latest EDPA Chapter events! Click the button below to view upcoming events on EDPA’s new Chapter News page.