speaker at event

Washington, D.C. — mdg, A Freeman Company will be hosting an Executive Roundtable on March 7 in Chicago, in conjunction with The Inspired Home Show and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. Content will include a tour and “in progress” case study of The Inspired Home Show with a focus on the association’s “comeback story” after having to cancel two shows in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will also feature case studies from top executives at RSNA and International Carwash Association, the latest insights from Freeman’s research group, best practices and recent developments in digital marketing, facilitated peer-to-peer roundtable discussions and a networking lunch. Details and speakers below.

Attendance is by invitation only, limited to executive-level (VP and above) professionals from associations or organizations that own, produce, and/or manage live events. Registration is complimentary, but space is limited. Reserve your place by Tuesday, March 1.

Speakers

Leana Salamah
VP, Marketing | International Housewares Association
In-Progress Case Study: The Inspired Home Show 2022

Leana is a passionate, creative marketing strategist who loves nothing more than the “ah ha” moment that accompanies a great idea or insight. Her strengths include developing brand positioning and messaging, finding and capitalizing on audience needs, problem-solving, team-building and mentoring. A voracious consumer of information and an unapologetic change agent, she possesses a solid understanding of all types of marketing tactics and the roles they play in an effective integrated campaign. She is quick to read an audience and understand their needs, and relentless in pursuing new ways to meet marketing communications objectives and drive demand. Prior to her three years as VP, Marketing at the International Housewares Association, Leana served as vice president and account strategist at mdg, spearheading the opening of the renowned event marketing agency’s Chicago office, and oversaw marketing, communications and programming for the National Restaurant Association Show from 2010-2016, during which time she directed activities that resulted in a 17% increase in overall attendance by major and independent restauranteurs.

David Saef
SVP, Strategy | mdg Advisory Services
7 Strategies to Guide Your Return to Live

David is the co-leader of mdg’s strategic advisory practice and has a 20-year career leading strategic planning and growth strategies, sponsorship strategy and sales, organizational transformation, and measurement services for industry leaders such as Solar Energy Trade Shows, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, the National Association of Broadcasters, the American Heart Association and McDonald’s. Before joining Freeman, David led the GES Global Strategy team to design and execute engagement programs for Pfizer, Boeing, Penton (Informa) and the California Dental Association.

John Jaworski
Assistant ED, Meeting Services & Corporate Relations | Radiological Society of North America
Case Study: RSNA 2021 Scientific Assembly & Annual Meeting

John has nearly 30 years of experience in planning and executing events from committee meetings to large city-wide conventions, with areas of responsibility including trade shows sales/operations, meeting logistics, registration management, housing services, budgeting and staff development. For the past 20+ years, John has been with the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). In his current role, he oversees the meeting operations, technical exhibition and corporate relations for the annual meeting and other society programs. Typically, the RSNA annual meeting held in Chicago and virtually attract 50,000 attendees plus 700 exhibitors with 450,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space.

Eric Wulf
CEO | International Carwash Association
Case Study: The Car Wash Show 2021

Eric Wulf serves as chief executive officer of International Carwash Association (ICA), the world’s largest organization for car wash professionals. In this capacity, he serves a sixteen-member volunteer board of directors and members in more than 20 countries. He leads the association’s professional staff, based in suburban Chicago. Wulf received his BA from the University of Iowa and his MBA from Union University. He resides in the Chicago area with his wife and two daughters.

Marc Blumer
customer journey architect | mdg 
What a Cookie-less Future Means for Event Organizers

With a Master of Science in direct and digital marketing from Mercy College and more than 25 years in B2B marketing leadership roles on both the agency and client sides, Marc sits at the critical intersection of data and content as our lead customer journey architect. At mdg, Marc teams with our account strategists to orchestrate and integrate the efforts of the digital, web and data teams into marketing programs fully aligned with the customer journey—especially those with complex industries. Through the strategic planning of highly relevant and resonant digital buyer experiences, Marc helps mdg deliver the right message to the right buyer at the right moment to educate, inform and convert browsers into attendees.

Sherrif Karamat
President & CEO | PCMA
Case Study: PCMA Convening Leaders 2022

Sherrif Karamat, CAE, is President and CEO of PCMA, the world’s leading business events association. Karamat leads the vision, mission and promise for PCMA’s global family of brands. He is a prominent business architect, enabling communities to become a catalyst for economic and social progress, organizational success, and personal and professional development. PCMA’s vision and purpose is to drive global economic and social transformation through business events. Central to this are expanding PCMA’s reach, enhancing its educational offerings, empowering more people, providing additional personal and professional development, and actively welcoming everyone, regardless of their ideas, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or cultural background. Karamat also emphasizes the need for a fundamental change in the ways meetings and events are approached. He is Chair-Elect for the 2022 Events Industry Council’s (EIC) Board of Directors and is also a Board member for Destinations International. Additionally, Karamat is a member of the George Washington University’s Leadership Council for its Masters in Tourism Administration program.

Moderators

Vincent Polito
managing director | mdg

With more than 20 years in senior leadership positions in the industry, Vincent is generally recognized as a content development and execution specialist. During his career, he’s had two international postings, launched events on five continents and developed highly specialized conferences in technology, life sciences and healthcare. Vinnie is also the past Chairman of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), the leading organization in the conference and trade show industry.

Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes
president & chief marketing strategist | mdg

As president and chief marketing strategist of mdg, the nation’s leading marketing and public relations agency specializing in audience acquisition, Hardcastle-Geddes and her team provide solutions that increase attendance and exhibitor participation for live and online events. Kimberly is an IAEE Krakoff Leaders Institute alumna, a columnist for PCMA’s Convene magazine and a frequent presenter of industry seminars on strategic marketing planning.

Posted in READ ALL ABOUT IT