EDPA ACCESS 2022 Recap
Held November 29th – December 1st at La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas
The industry is Rebuilding its Playbook! That was the message and spirit at EDPA ACCESS 2022 in San Antonio at the La Cantera Resort. The last time EDPA ACCESS met at La Cantera in 2020, attendance at the event was 75. This time, 273 EDPA members and non-members came together to move forward.
Sports figure Jim Morris, who reinvented himself in his 30s to pitch in the major leagues, jump-started the "Rebuild Your Playbook" theme. Following his talk, everyone moved to the patio for tacos and reconnecting after what everyone agreed was a very strange year. However, the industry is coming back, and now companies are eagerly seeking new talent to fill the spots left open by the Great Resignation (hopefully, we won't have to use that term again!) This fact Joe Federbush of Evolio Marketing drove home in presenting the results of the EDPA Economic Survey.
The first full day of ACCESS was content-rich, with an encouraging, upbeat message from entrepreneur Bill Rancic, followed by John Gleason's "Enhancing Your Value with Procurement." Procurement is a fact of life for the industry, and understanding that corporate function and the people who fill that particular slot enhances the interaction between partner and client.
Next up was Amy Wirtz, who spoke about a subject very relevant to the EDPA membership, the family business. Right now, many of the EDPA member family businesses are transitioning to the next generation, which can be painful—or extraordinary. However, knowing the pitfalls and avoiding them is key to successful transitions and to integrating family members into the business.
After the traditional State of the Association luncheon, TaChelle Lawson led us to discuss what is involved in implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. This implementation involves a deep look into the policies of each business; it's not simply a numbers game but a cultural shift.
Post-pandemic, EDPA is recharging association efforts to recruit new talent to the industry. Building awareness of the industry is the first step, and then getting the word out to young people who are developing a career path is next.
The Foundation Silent Auction helped fill the coffers that help students with their education and families in need. This year the Silent Auction and fundraising challenge netted over $170,000 that to the generosity of EDPA members.
The highlight of the gala is always the presentation of awards—the coveted Eddies, Chapters of the Year, Future Leaders, and individual awards for the Designer of the Year, EDPA Ambassador, and the Hazel Hays award. This year, the awards went to:
Hazel Hays
Chris Griffin, CREW XP
Ambassador of the Year
Michael McMahon, Hill & Partners
Designer of the Year
Kyle Lucken, beMatrix
Large Chapter of the Year
EDPA Northeast
International Collaboration Award
Happy Projects & Elevation3D
Small Chapter of the Year
EDPA Texas
Eddy Awards Multi-Media
Classic Exhibits
Eddy Awards Best Large Exhibit
Exhibitus
Eddy Awards Best Small Exhibit
Von Hagen Design
Eddy Awards Best Sustainability
beMatrix
Eddy Awards Best Small Exhibit
Von Hagen Design
Future Leaders Class of 2022:
Bobby Diehl, Genesis Exhibits
Sam Ogren, Access TCA
Vanessa Aguilar, Happy Projects
Amanda Lembke, Creative Dimensions
Sachel Josefson, Bemidji State University
Taylor Freckleton, Fusion Imaging
Genna Fernandez, Live Marketing
Emma Christen, Eagle Management Group
Tyson Vasapoli, BlueHive Exhibits
Kevin Nadolski, Ion Exhibits
Lauren Wood, Hill & Partners
Amanda Heyse, EEI Global, Inc
Courtney Soice, Hamilton
Phoebe Mathius, Exhibitus
Daniel Lamb, Derse
On the final day, we heard from Joe Federbush on the report, as mentioned earlier, the EDPA Economic Survey, followed by an update on the changes at Exhibitor. Then, Amy Sondrup took on the topic of management challenges when your new playbook is ready, while Stephen Ross talked about the EuroShop experience.
Members Rob Cohen and Jim Obermeyer led panels talking, respectively, about supply chain realities and sustainability, two ongoing concerns in the industry. And before the closing chapter challenge, Jessica Sibila and Amanda Helgemoe presented the essentials of the new association, The Exhibitor Advocate, asking for support from EDPA member companies.
The Engagement Zone was well-attended, benefiting from its proximity to the general sessions area. Thursday morning saw a well-attended Women in Exhibitions. Katina Rigall Zipay, who kept the organization going with well-planned Zoom meetings, asked people to step up to form a new board—there is every sign that this group has a robust future.
Be sure to save the date for ACCESS 2023 being held November 28th – November 30th, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs, Florida. We hope to see you there!
DOWN LOAD PHOTOS FROM ACCESS 2022
Thank You ACCESS 2022 Sponsors!
Reunite and Share Some Pints – Join us for EDPA’s
Pub Crawl Dinner at EuroShop 2023
EDPA will be attending EuroShop 2023 in Düsseldorf, Germany and hosting our “Pub Crawl Dinner”. This must attend social event will be held on Monday, Feb. 27th, 2023 at the Brauerei Schumacher on Oststrasse (East Street).
This festive social gathering which includes free-flowing beer, traditional German fare, and fun is a long-standing tradition for EDPA’s EuroShop attendees. This event always sells out so get your tickets early.
You don’t want to miss the excitement. The event is open to all EDPA members, but there is a limited capacity of 100 people.
Ticket Costs - $175 per dinner ticket
(discounted price for current EDPA International members)
BTX Global Logistics
Shelton Connecticut
www.btxglobal.com
CSI Worldwide
Glen Mills Pennsylvania
www.csiworldwide.net
Experiential Marketing Specialist
Lafayette Colorado
FastSensor
Wilmington Delaware
www. fastsensor.com
Good Time Creative
Chicago Illinois
www.goodtimecreative.com
LV Exhibit Rentals, LLC
Las Vegas Nevada
www.lvexhibitrentals.com
Purple Exhibits
Mahwah New Jersey
www.purpleexhibits.com
RMB Exhibit Anywhere
Aventura Florida
www.rmbdesignsolutions.com
Rock Your Show, LLC
Meridian Idaho
www.rockyourshow.com
Studio Displays
Indian Land South Carolina
www.studiodisplays.com
Total Show Technology
Las VegasNevada
www.totalshowtech.com
Tower Street Insurance
DallasTexas
www.towerstreetinsurance.com
TWO JAX, LLC
Wareham Massachusetts
www.twojax.net
Get Your EDPA Swag – A Great Holiday Gift
EDPA merchandise is now available!
Click here to check out all the different options and order.
Show your love for EDPA and help support your association.
EDPA Midwest
Event: Exhibit 4 Smiles
Date: December 2022
Description: Exhibit 4 Smiles is a grassroots movement backed by caring people from across the exhibit industry who are reaching out to provide smiles to children suffering with life-threatening illnesses. Help us bring smiles to children’s faces by sponsoring their wish lists this holiday season. The families benefiting from this program each have at least one member who is being treated for a life-threatening illness at UIC Hospital in Chicago, IL.
Registration link: Sponsor a Child Here
