Newly Named Exhibit & Event Marketers Association Unveils Plans for Red Diamond Congress

June 18, 2012

The newly named Exhibit & Event Marketers Association (E2MA), formed by the combining of the Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA) and the Exhibitor Appointed Contractors Association (EACA), has unveiled plans for the 3rd annual Red Diamond Congress.

 

The event will be held July 10-12 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

 

This year’s event will be focused on both advocacy and education issues, said Jim Wurm, executive director of E2MA.

 

“This will be the first meeting of these combined associations,” he added. “We will have general sessions each day asking for input and expertise.”

 

Wurm said the first day will focus on brainstorming, the second day would be identifying challenges and the third day would focus on initiatives that should be undertaken.

 

There are approximately 100 people signed up for the event, and a total of 150 are expected, he added.

 

The opening keynote will be given by Gary Slack, CEO of Slack and Company, on “Transforming the Organization”, a look inside the challenges he faced, and the opportunities created, as president of the Business Marketing Association.   

 

Gary is two-time past president of the Business Marketing Association’s Chicago chapter, and he served as chairman of BMA National’s executive committee for the 2009-2010 program year.

 

Lara McCulloch-Carter, of Ready2Spark, will be the keynote speaker on the second day of the Red Diamond Congress and will present her “Cannonball Marketing Secrets”.    

 

McCulloch-Carter’skeynote addresses the new age of marketing, and the increasing challenges created by the bombardment of messages (upwards of 5,000/day) thrown at target audiences that marketers must compete with.

 

The event also will feature the debut of The Expo Group’s Exhibit Manager of the Year Awards, as well as a gala during which several other honors, such as the Intrepid Award, will be given to an individual or organization that excelled in customer service.

 

Also part of the event will be Face-2-Face Connectionse in which top corporate xxhibit and event managers from across the U.S> are invited for an all expenses paid trip for face-to-face meetings with leading vendors and services providers in an accelerated buy-and-sell event.

 

A full schedule and registration information can be found HERE.

 

Wurm said one of the primary purposes of the Red Diamond Congress is to get all members involved in shaping the direction of the association so “they have a strong sense that the association is responsive to their needs and wants.”

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