News & Updates
The ESCA Digest — January 2024
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Six Leading Industry Organizations Unite to Form Exhibitions Industry Collective Priorities Centered Around Workforce Development, Sustainability, and Health and Safety
10 JANUARY 2024 – DALLAS, TX – Today the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association announces its participation in creating the Exhibitions Industry Collective to drive awareness on essential issues within the exhibitions ecosystem.
The Exhibitions Industry Collective is comprised of six key industry organizations, including Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA), Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA), International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE), International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), and the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO).
Each organization has previously worked together on industry advocacy with ECA and is now expanding this effort to address workforce development, sustainability, and health and safety as a unified effort. By leveraging the strengths in their respective fields, the Collective will better serve the larger exhibitions and events community by bringing more awareness to key stakeholders and a defined path of success for each member base.
“ESCA takes great pride in being a driving force behind the formation of the Exhibitions Industry Collective. Our commitment to workforce development, sustainability, and health and safety is unwavering. As a key contributor to bringing this influential group together, ESCA is dedicated to shaping a future that ensures a thriving and resilient exhibitions ecosystem.” – Julie Kagy, Executive Director, ESCA.
To kick off 2024, IAEE will host a virtual Exhibitions Industry Awareness Week from February 20-23 and will feature each of the six organizations in the Collective.
Exhibitions Industry Awareness Week aims to promote the exhibitions industry as a career path opportunity for students, faculty, those looking for a career change, and all members in each industry sector. Attendees will learn about sector-specific information, including jobs available to those considering a career, salary information, skill requirements, and training needed.
Stay tuned in the next few weeks for a new website for the Exhibitions Industry Collective that will feature a defined roadmap for the Collective’s initiatives and house top-level information on each organization in the Collective. The site will serve as a launch point for more exhibitions and industry sector details depending on the user’s interest.
Registration for Exhibitions Industry Awareness Week will open at the end of January.
ABOUT ESCA
Established in 1970, the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) serves as a unified voice for service contractors and their partners in the exhibition industry. ESCA is committed to advancing the exhibition, meeting, and special event industries. Through education, information exchange, and shared professionalism among members and their customers, ESCA fosters collaboration across all aspects of the exhibition industry.
Inquiries:Julie Kagy
Executive Director, ESCA
julie@esca.org
773.418.1955
Freeman Announces CEO Succession Plan
Janet Dell, President and Chief Operating Officer, to be Appointed CEO in July 2024
Bob Priest-Heck to Retire at Mid-Year and remain as a Freeman Board Member
Dallas, TX (November 28, 2023) – Freeman, the global leader in events, announced today that Janet Dell, Freeman’s President, will succeed Bob Priest-Heck as Chief Executive Officer of Freeman on July 1, 2024. At that time, Priest-Heck will step down as CEO and retire, concluding a distinguished 15 years of service at the company. He will continue as a member of Freeman’s Board of Directors.
Since joining Freeman in March 2018, Dell has held multiple roles and currently leads Freeman’s long-term strategy execution across the globe. She has played a seminal role in reshaping Freeman’s workforce. Coming out of the pandemic, she architected the ramp-up of the team and productivity by rehiring 95% of furloughed employees, onboarding over 3,000 new employees, and driving record revenue growth amid an incredibly challenging environment. With so many new people in the industry and at Freeman, Dell has put a focus on safety to keep the well-being of employees, customers, partners, and attendees as the first priority.
Bob Priest-Heck said: “Since Janet joined Freeman in 2018, she has transformed Freeman in ways large and small. She has instilled a data-driven approach to decision-making, cultivated an integrated operating model to drive better cross-team collaboration and customer experience, and made meaningful strides to expand and diversify our workforce. Janet’s leadership and compassion are unmatched, and I look forward to seeing her lead Freeman in this exciting and dynamic time for the company and the events industry at large.”
Janet Dell said: “Over the past five years, it has been an honor to be part of Freeman as it evolved into the company it is today. Having the opportunity to work closely with Bob has taught me a tremendous amount about the industry, leading with integrity and empathy, and our talented and resilient team across all levels and functions is truly an inspiration. I am humbled and honored to step into the role of CEO and look forward to leading Freeman as we continue to create meaningful experiences for our clients.”
Priest-Heck has 35 years of experience in the events industry, beginning his career in tech publishing, and going on to create many of the biggest events in tech, including Digital World, Networld + Interop, JavaOne, Java World Tour & Web 2.0. He also has played an active role in promoting sustainability within the events industry as one of the early supporters and signatories of the Zero Carbon Events Pledge. During the pandemic, Priest-Heck’s advocacy and leadership were best defined by his launch of “Go LIVE Together”, which facilitated legislative action to support the industry and the millions of people whose livelihood depend on it. During his tenure at Freeman, Priest-Heck has been instrumental in expanding the company’s offerings, including strategy and agency, which are now major lines of business and set the foundation for Freeman’s recent acquisition of Sparks.
Carrie Freeman Parsons, Chair of Freeman, said: “Bob has made an indelible imprint on Freeman’s strategy and culture over his tenure with the company. Through his vision and leadership, he has built on our longstanding reputation for innovation and collaboration while fostering an environment where employees feel empowered. On behalf of the Board and the Freeman family, I wish Bob all the best for an active and fulfilling retirement, and I could not be more confident that Janet is the right person to lead Freeman in this next exciting chapter.”
###Freeman Announces CEO Succession Plan
IAEE Announces New President and CEO
We are thrilled to share in the excitement of Marsha Flanagan’s well-deserved appointment as the new President and CEO of IAEE. Her wealth of experience and dedicated service within the industry make her an exemplary choice for this esteemed position.
IAEE’s decision to promote from within, choosing a leader familiar with the association’s core values and initiatives, speaks volumes of their commitment to continuity and growth. We commend IAEE for making such a strategic selection.
As Marsha takes on this pivotal role, we at ESCA extend our heartfelt congratulations and unwavering support. We anticipate a very bright future for IAEE under her leadership, and we look forward to deepening our partnerships and pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve together in service to our industry.
Please join us in congratulating Marsha on this significant achievement.
IAEE Announces New President and CEO
A Titan Bids Adieu – Larry Arnaudet Announces Retirement After Over Five Decades in the Meetings and Convention Industry
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