SANDESTIN, Fla. — The 2023 BAIT (Association of service providers and exhibition contractors) Summer Educational Conference took place at the Effie Hotel in Sandestin, Florida., From June 25-28, members enjoyed a dynamic educational program covering topics ranging from economics to security culture to the impacts of AI on service providers.
Members gathered daily in the hotel’s 13,000-square-foot Juniper Ballroom to hear from industry leaders and experts on the topics that matter most to exhibit service providers and entrepreneurs. TEDx programmer, author and business leader Joshua Evans kicked off the program by exploring the importance of helping employees find meaning in their careers to keep them engaged, productive and happy.
Staffing and creating an employee-centric culture were also key topics throughout the conference, with many panels dedicated to discussing DEI initiatives and programs, recruitment and retention., and the power to foster a sense of community not only within organizations but also with customers.
Another panel addressed current advocacy issues for the trade show industry and explored the impact that new legislation being introduced across the country will have on the industry, such as California’s move to no longer allow the production or sale of large spark-ignition forklifts by 2026.
Related. Industry Leader Larry Arnaudet Retires
Cathy Breden, CEO of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), CMP Fellow, CAE, CEM, presented on the organization’s ongoing research, which included the industry’s $138 billion in trade sales and Contribution of $78 billion to US GDP in 2022. Breden said CEIR expects the industry to fully recover in 2024.
Conference attendees also had a variety of networking activities to choose from, including a deep-sea fishing experience, a cruise, a karaoke night, a golf tournament and more. At the closing reception, awards were presented to those who won the golf tournament and hit the longest drive, as well as those who performed exceptionally well at the karaoke event.
The retirement of Larry Arnaudet, ESCA’s Executive Director, was also announced at the conference. Mr. Arnaudet is expected to retire at the end of 2023 and a celebration will be held in his honor on the occasion of the ESCA 2023 Winter Awards Celebration and Receptionwhich will take place at the House of Blues in Dallas during the IAEE’s annual Expo! Expo!.
“Each year, we strive to provide our members with the most relevant and effective information and education at the Summer Education Conference,” said Julie Kagy, ESCA’s Director of Operations. “This year, we had an impressive lineup of leaders and experts covering topics that are currently and will be impacting the industry, and we want to make sure we are preparing for the changes ahead and sharing best practices and effective approaches.”
Contact Julie Kagy at julie@esca.org