Elizaveta Golikova has been part of the trade show and experiential marketing industry since 2008, building a career that spans both exhibit houses and general contractors, with experience in project management, account management, operations, and business development. In her last leadership role, Elizaveta was a Regional Director of Business Development at Freeman, where she led a team of Business Development Managers. Throughout her career, Elizaveta found that her greatest passion lies in working directly with exhibitors, understanding their business objectives, helping them navigate the complexities of exhibiting, and identifying creative ways to turn their trade show presence into meaningful business results. That passion ultimately led her to her current role as Executive Consultant with ET Global, where she draws on nearly two decades of industry experience to help exhibitors maximize the value of their trade show programs.

Working closely with B2B organizations, Elizaveta helps clients translate their goals into creative exhibit strategies and custom environments. Leveraging ET Global’s custom design and build capabilities, she guides exhibitors from defining objectives and developing the right creative approach through bringing that vision to life on the show floor. Her approach goes beyond simply building a booth, focusing on how strategy, design, and execution can work together to strengthen the brand experience and drive measurable ROI. Elizaveta holds a master’s degree in Hospitality from UNLV and has called Las Vegas home for 20 years. She is an active member of the trade show and events community and serves on the Board of Directors of the EDPA Las Vegas Chapter.

Patrick joined Freeman in May 2023 and serves as a Sr. Director of Strategy and Insights.  His work focuses on thought leadership research deliverables based on event attendees, exhibitors, and event organizer feedback.  He also leads client-specific growth strategy projects.  As part of his responsibilities, he conducts addressable market, competitor event, and cohort-specific community needs evaluations to identify unmet attendee and exhibitor needs.  Patrick is an experienced manager of survey research, research-based interviews, and data services with a history of working with executives and other functional leaders at Fortune 500 companies and leading trade associations. 

Matt Beck is an award-winning experiential creative leader with nearly 15 years shaping high-impact experiences for brands including Toshiba, Deloitte, and Snowflake. A former yacht designer, he leads creative teams to turn audience and brand insight into experiences that influence human behavior in meaningful, measurable ways. Outside the studio, Matt is a husband, father of three, basketball coach and mentor who can still dunk on a good day, serial DIYer, and enthusiastic cook—when his wife lets him.

For over 20 years, Josh Frisbie has led Hamilton’s award-winning multi-disciplinary creative team, focusing on magnifying customer brands through unique immersive experiences. Frisbie oversees Hamilton's in-house creative experiential studio, StudioH. Under his leadership, StudioH develops campaigns and experiences designed to evoke emotional connectivity with audiences, driving exceptional outcomes. Frisbie maintains a deliberate emphasis on desired customer outcomes and understands how innovative design can support achieving those outcomes. He challenges his creative team and Hamilton’s customers to go the extra mile and stand out with innovative strategy and design, ensuring that Hamilton remains a leader in delivering memorable solutions. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Josh received the 2024 EDPA Designer of the Year Award. He is also a frequent contributor to industry articles and a sought-after speaker at industry events.

Necoya Tyson is an accomplished association executive and event industry leader with more than 20 years of experience developing and delivering conferences, exhibitions, sponsorship programs, and strategic initiatives for national and international organizations. 

She currently serves as Senior Director of Conventions for the National Safety Council (NSC), where she leads the strategy, planning, and execution of the organization's premier meetings and events, including the renowned Safety Congress & Expo, one of the world's largest annual safety conferences and exhibitions. In this role, she oversees convention operations, exhibition management, sponsorship strategy, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver exceptional experiences that advance NSC's mission of saving lives and preventing injuries. 

In addition to her role at NSC, Necoya is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lightsey Event Solutions, an award-winning event management firm specializing in conference management, trade shows, exhibitions, sponsorship strategy, and event consulting for associations and nonprofit organizations. Since founding the company in 2019, she has led successful meetings and conventions across the United States while earning a reputation for operational excellence, innovation, and collaborative leadership. 

A respected leader within the meetings and events profession, Necoya has served as an International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) faculty member since 2017, teaching exhibition and event management courses throughout the United States and internationally. She currently serves on the IAEE International Board of Directors, where she contributes to advancing the exhibitions and events industry through strategic leadership and governance. 

Necoya holds the Certified in Exhibition Management – Advanced Professional (CEM-AP), Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP), and Certified Corporate Event Planner (CCEP) designations. She is widely recognized for her expertise in convention operations, exhibition management, sponsorship development, strategic planning, and volunteer leadership. 

Passionate about creating meaningful experiences and developing future industry leaders, Necoya is known for fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and building partnerships that strengthen organizations and the communities they serve. 

Tommy Goodwin is President & Chief Executive Officer for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the public policy association for the business and professional events industry. In this role, he leads ECA’s work on behalf of the event and meeting organizers, exhibitors, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the global events industry landscape. Tommy currently serves as co-chair of the Community Impact Coalition and on the global advisory board of The Iceberg. He is also a past president of the National Institute of Lobbying & Ethics and a past chair of ASAE’s Executive Management Professionals Advisory Council and Advocacy Council.

Prior to joining ECA, Tommy spent more than 20 years leading social impact, member value, public affairs, and international engagement efforts for several globally recognized associations and corporations, including Oracle, AARP, and the Project Management Institute (PMI). Additionally, he was a research fellow at Harvard Business School focused on the international political and legal environment in which businesses and social enterprises operate. Tommy has a B.B.A. from The George Washington University, an M.B.A. from Auburn University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in European Union Law from King’s College London. He also holds several certifications, including a Project Management Professional from PMI, a Certified Meeting Planner from the Events Industry Council, and a Certified Association Executive from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

Recognized by The Hill in its list of association Top Lobbyists every year since 2020, Tommy was also named a Leading Association Lobbyist by CEO Update/Association TRENDS. He has also been elected as a Fellow by ASAE, named an Association Innovation Leader by DCA Live, received the Industry Support Award from Trade Show News Network, and been recognized as an events industry Meetings Trendsetter by Meetings Today.

Stephanie Phillips serves as IAEE's Director of Digital Engagement and Member Experiences, overseeing the organization's digital and data technology infrastructure as well as member and customer engagement strategies. In her role, she leads initiatives to drive membership growth and retention, manages the membership team, and collaborates with various committees to enhance member value.

With over 14 years of experience in association management, Stephanie has a proven track record in membership development, marketing, volunteer coordination, event planning, and program management. She is deeply passionate about creating exceptional member experiences and leveraging digital platforms to optimize engagement.

Jennifer Potter has over 15 years of experience in the industry. She began her career with a show organizer assisting in developing the conference programs for several of their largest trade shows. Jennifer started with IAEE in 2010 and manages the CEM Learning Program.

Stacie Glenn, CEM, began her career in the exhibition and events industry with IAEE in August 2019. She currently serves as the Senior Manager of Member Experiences at IAEE, where she is dedicated to enhancing member value and supporting membership growth and retention. In her role, Stacie manages Memberlink – IAEE’s online forum and career center, while also working closely with various committees to identify member needs and develop relevant products and services. Additionally, she oversees the maintenance of the member database, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience for all members. 

Jody M. Shaw, CMP, CEM, PMP, MS, Prosci, is the Director of Learning Experiences for the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). She joined IAEE in June 2025 and she is responsible for educational logistics for webinars and annual conferences. She oversees the IAEE Learning Management System (LMS) and assists with the IAEE Education Committee, Expo! Expo! and the IAEE Leadership Institute, and leads the IAEE's Independent Organizer and IAEE's Emerging Leaders programming. Throughout Jody's career education, events, innovation, and creating a positive impact for non-profits have always been her focus. Jody's experience in events for the last two decades has ranged from overseeing innovative and nimble small events with 60 attendees to large in-person events with up to 25k attendees. Her project management experience has included re-designing Learning Management Systems, creating automated workflows, and large-scale multi-year and multi-Million-Dollar capital improvement projects. 

Phil Alongi is an Emmy® Award-winning media executive and co-founder of Alongi Media, one of the fastest-growing live event and broadcast production companies in the U.S. Since launching the company in 2020, he has helped lead its rapid growth, earning a spot on the Inc. 5000 list with more than 1,200% growth over three years. Alongi Media specializes in high-impact, sustainable live events and broadcasts, producing everything from corporate summits to U.S. presidential inaugurations. Before founding Alongi Media, Phil served as Showrunner and Executive Producer at Big Fish Entertainment and previously worked as Director of Program Development and Executive Producer at NJTV News. He began his career at NBC News, where he produced for Nightly News, Today, and numerous specials.

Kelsey Frenkiel is a travel, sustainability, and conservation professional. She is the Director of the Sustainability Program at the GBTA Foundation, which aims to drive positive change through business travel for People & Planet. At the GBTA Foundation, Kelsey leads efforts to empower and incentivize organizations of all sizes and in all geographies to start, advance, and accelerate the integration of practices that reduce their business travel emissions, on a joint journey with the travel value chain, to reach Net Zero by 2050.

Sean Soth is the Founder of Professionals for Association Revenue (PAR), a community of association leaders focused on advancing business development and non-dues revenue strategies. Through flagship initiatives such as the RevUP Summit, Association Business Week, and a growing library of member resources, PAR equips organizations with the tools and insights needed to innovate and sustain revenue growth across the industry. A frequent conference speaker, Sean shares practical perspectives on audience development, strategic partnerships, and modern sales leadership.

Sean also serves as CEO of Hi-Fidelity Group, Inc., a leading sales and marketing firm specializing in non-dues revenue generation for associations and organizations. Under his leadership, the firm delivers high-impact strategies that drive tens of millions of dollars in annual revenue, supporting clients that range from global brands to emerging start-ups. Based near Baltimore, Maryland, Sean enjoys life with his family, their Goldador, Ginny, and a good playlist to end the day.

Dan Cole serves as Senior Director, Partner Relations for eMerge America, headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida.

Formerly Senior Vice President of Strategic Relationships at the International SPY Museum, and Head of Sales at AVIXA's InfoComm show, Dan' Cole's previous roles include executive positions at Hargrove, Inc. and over 16 years at the helm of business development for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and its parent organization.

With over 35 years of professional sales and leadership experience, Dan Cole is a renowned executive, writer, and speaker known for his expertise in sales fundamentals and team succe Dan's career began in sales at Lanier Worldwide, leading to notable roles at National Trade Productions, Advanstar, and Yellowbrix. Along the way, he has earned prestigious awards such as IAEE’s Most Outstanding Sales and Marketing Executive, esteemed designation IAEE CEM Fellow, a PAR (Professionals for Association) G.O.A.T and the International Business Awards Most Outstanding Sales Executive. Dan's dedication to excellence continues to shape the industry landscape, making him a sought-after figure in sales and leadership. Dan remains an established top authority in sales and leadership, sought after throughout the industry.

Emily Olson is editor of EXHIBITOR magazine and a longtime journalist with more than 20 years of experience covering business, arts, culture, and live events. She leads editorial strategy, industry research projects, and international awards programs, and regularly speaks at industry events around the world. Emily is particularly interested in how storytelling, design, and shared experiences shape the way people connect.

Mark Anderson has served in multiple marketing roles over the past 20 years for EXHIBITOR Magazine and the organization’s professional development events, including EXHIBITORLIVE, the conference for trade show and corporate event marketers. Mark primarily manages EXHIBITOR’s email marketing and PR programs, and he also serves as news editor for ExhibitorOnline.com and helps to manage three of EXHIBITOR’s awards programs.

Robert (Bob) McLean has been a consultant with Axiom Plus, LLC since 2022 and was previously the Promotional Product Association International’s Executive Vice President. He was hired in June 2008 as chief financial officer and is responsible for finance and administration, information technology and the Promotional Products Education Foundation. In October 2011, Bob was promoted to EVP and oversaw PPAI’s tradeshow and membership departments until 2022.

Omneya Fahmy is a Senior Economist at Tourism Economics, where she manages the CEIR Index. Since joining the firm in 2023, she has directed research programs for major industry associations, providing the analysis behind their strategic and policy decisions. Her work spans economic impact modeling, industry benchmarking, and scenario forecasting, with a particular focus on how visitor and event activity drives economic growth and community development. Omneya previously served as Research Director at Resonance Consultancy and as a Statistical Assistant at the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. She holds a Master's in Economics from Concordia University and a Bachelor's from the American University in Cairo.

Nancy Drapeau, IPC. Is a market research veteran with more than 31 years in the business-to-business exhibitions industry. As CEIR’s Vice President of Research, Ms. Drapeau conducts industry wide studies and reports on current trends in the exhibition industry. In 2019, she was named to BizBash’s 1,000 Most Influential People in Events list. She holds a BA in Government from Georgetown University and a Master’s in Advanced European and International Studies from l’Institut Européen des Hautes Études Internationales. She is an AC Nielsen Burke Institute trained focus group moderator. She is a well-respected industry speaker and an active member of the Industry Insights Association and has served on the Event Industry Council’s (EIC) Research & Advocacy Task Force. She lives in Maine, with her husband and a border collie named Moxie.

Omneya Fahmy is a Senior Economist at Tourism Economics, where she manages the CEIR Index. Since joining the firm in 2023, she has directed research programs for major industry associations, providing the analysis behind their strategic and policy decisions. Her work spans economic impact modeling, industry benchmarking, and scenario forecasting, with a particular focus on how visitor and event activity drives economic growth and community development. Omneya previously served as Research Director at Resonance Consultancy and as a Statistical Assistant at the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. She holds a Master's in Economics from Concordia University and a Bachelor's from the American University in Cairo.

Nancy Drapeau, IPC. Is a market research veteran with more than 31 years in the business-to-business exhibitions industry. As CEIR’s Vice President of Research, Ms. Drapeau conducts industry wide studies and reports on current trends in the exhibition industry. In 2019, she was named to BizBash’s 1,000 Most Influential People in Events list. She holds a BA in Government from Georgetown University and a Master’s in Advanced European and International Studies from l’Institut Européen des Hautes Études Internationales. She is an AC Nielsen Burke Institute trained focus group moderator. She is a well-respected industry speaker and an active member of the Industry Insights Association and has served on the Event Industry Council’s (EIC) Research & Advocacy Task Force. She lives in Maine, with her husband and a border collie named Moxie.

Omneya Fahmy is a Senior Economist at Tourism Economics, where she manages the CEIR Index. Since joining the firm in 2023, she has directed research programs for major industry associations, providing the analysis behind their strategic and policy decisions. Her work spans economic impact modeling, industry benchmarking, and scenario forecasting, with a particular focus on how visitor and event activity drives economic growth and community development. Omneya previously served as Research Director at Resonance Consultancy and as a Statistical Assistant at the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. She holds a Master's in Economics from Concordia University and a Bachelor's from the American University in Cairo.

Nancy Drapeau, IPC. Is a market research veteran with more than 31 years in the business-to-business exhibitions industry. As CEIR’s Vice President of Research, Ms. Drapeau conducts industry wide studies and reports on current trends in the exhibition industry. In 2019, she was named to BizBash’s 1,000 Most Influential People in Events list. She holds a BA in Government from Georgetown University and a Master’s in Advanced European and International Studies from l’Institut Européen des Hautes Études Internationales. She is an AC Nielsen Burke Institute trained focus group moderator. She is a well-respected industry speaker and an active member of the Industry Insights Association and has served on the Event Industry Council’s (EIC) Research & Advocacy Task Force. She lives in Maine, with her husband and a border collie named Moxie.

Stephanie Phillips serves as IAEE's Director of Digital Engagement and Member Experiences, overseeing the organization's digital and data technology infrastructure as well as member and customer engagement strategies. In her role, she leads initiatives to drive membership growth and retention, manages the membership team, and collaborates with various committees to enhance member value.

With over 14 years of experience in association management, Stephanie has a proven track record in membership development, marketing, volunteer coordination, event planning, and program management. She is deeply passionate about creating exceptional member experiences and leveraging digital platforms to optimize engagement.

Stacie Glenn, CEM, began her career in the exhibition and events industry with IAEE in August 2019. She currently serves as the Senior Manager of Member Experiences at IAEE, where she is dedicated to enhancing member value and supporting membership growth and retention. In her role, Stacie manages Memberlink – IAEE’s online forum and career center, while also working closely with various committees to identify member needs and develop relevant products and services. Additionally, she oversees the maintenance of the member database, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience for all members. 

Stephanie Gibbs, General Manager of EXHIBITOR Group, leads the strategy, operations, and growth of a portfolio dedicated to advancing the trade show and live events industry. Her role sits at the intersection of vision and execution, guiding teams, evolving products, and delivering experiences that educate, connect, and elevate professionals across the industry. Stephanie also holds the CTSM (Certified Trade Show Marketer) certification and serves as the Treasurer for the Upper Midwest chapter of EDPA.

Andrea specializes in executive search for C-Level and Director Level professionals as well as business development in the experiential event marketing segment along with the tradeshow and convention industries. Her previous experience at a SaaS company focused on leadership development, her experience in hospitality, and her skills in business strategy, organizational effectiveness, change management, and talent acquisition bring a unique perspective to Executive Search and Organizational Strategy

Andrea specializes in executive search for C-Level and Director Level professionals as well as business development in the experiential event marketing segment along with the tradeshow and convention industries. Her previous experience at a SaaS company focused on leadership development, her experience in hospitality, and her skills in business strategy, organizational effectiveness, change management, and talent acquisition bring a unique perspective to Executive Search and Organizational Strategy

Joy Wingert is a Sales Engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the events industry. With a strong background in education management and computer software, she brings expertise in project management, requirements analysis, and trade shows to help organizations deliver successful event experiences.

Rich Stone is CEO of 3e by EXPOCAD, a company marking 40 years of event technology innovation in 2026. He works at the intersection of show management, floor-plan operations, exhibitor success, and emerging technology. With a practical, decidedly non-hyped approach to AI, Rich focuses on turning the data organizers already collect into useful intelligence. Creating stronger exhibitor conversations, better retention, smarter sponsorships and clearer business decisions. His premise is simple. AI becomes valuable when it moves beyond counting activity and helps organizers understand intent, act sooner and become better partners to exhibitors.

Chris Garner, CEM, is the Vice President of Sales at eShow.

Pavvi brings over 15 years of rich, cross-functional experience in event technology, client training, support, and strategic consultation — with a particular focus on clients across the UK, Europe, the USA, and the UAE. Now serving as the Regional VP of Sales for the EMEA and US East regions at EventsAir, Pavvi leads with a strong customer-first mindset and a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing today’s event professionals. Pavvi has been driven by a passion for uncovering the creative and impactful ways event planners are using technology to transform their events. He thrives on discovering these stories and helping to amplify them, so other planners can learn, adapt, and elevate their own event experiences. Pavvi is known for his innovative thinking and practical approach to solving problems. He is constantly looking for smarter, more profitable ways to help clients increase revenue, reduce costs, streamline operations, all through the strategic use of technology. Whether guiding a new customer through their first implementation or working with seasoned professionals to optimize their tech stack, Pavvi brings a consultative, solutions-driven perspective that delivers real results.