Events Industry Council News

EIC Board and Council Meeting

Washington, D.C. • April 2025

We look forward to welcoming you to Washington, D.C. this April for the Events Industry Council’s first in-person meeting of 2025 — an important moment for our community to gather, reflect, and plan for the future of the global business events industry.

Building on last September’s momentum, this year’s Council meeting will feature focused discussions on advocacy, workforce development, and industry preparedness—areas critical to our collective success. Beyond the sessions, there will be ample opportunities—both formal and informal—to connect with fellow industry leaders, share perspectives, and collaborate around the issues impacting our industry and workforce.

We are glad you’ll be with us and look forward to the conversations, connections, and collective progress that this gathering will inspire.

Meeting highlights include: 

  • Futures Landscape: Together, we will dive into the final EIC Futures Landscape Report, released in March, which identifies the critical issues most likely to shape our industry in the years ahead.
  • We will welcome back Kaihan Krippendorff for a follow-up to his impactful Futures Landscape workshop in Puerto Rico. In light of the dramatic shifts we’ve experienced since September, Kaihan will help us think deeply about what’s changed, what’s ahead, and how we can strategically adapt.
  • Kaihan will be joined by Jennifer Bender, Global Head of Trends and Foresight at Ipsos, who helped draft the final report and will provide additional context for the report findings. 

Oxford Economic Outlook and Advocacy Panel: Unpack the latest findings from EIC’s Quarterly Events Barometer and hear from industry leaders on the importance of amplifying our industry’s economic and social impact.

Workforce Panel: The meeting will end with a dynamic panel, bringing together leaders from across the global business events industry to explore strategies for talent development, recruitment, and retention. This important discussion will highlight emerging workforce trends and collaborative solutions to future-proof the industry’s talent pipeline.

A United Voice: This leadership meeting is designed to leverage the power of the collective when we unite for impact.

Thank you for making time to participate in the experience.

Kaihan Speaker

 

Fast Facts:

  • Board members should arrive on Monday, 7 April in time for 6:30 p.m. Board Dinner and depart after 2 p.m. on Wednesday, 9 April.
  • Council members should arrive on Tuesday, 8 April in time for a 5:30 p.m. reception at Nina May Restaurant and depart after 2 p.m. on Wednesday, 9 April. 
  • Volunteer leaders should plan to arrive on Wednesday, 9 April in time for lunch at 12 p.m.
  • Dress is business casual.
  • Please send any dietary restrictions to Liz Jang at ljang@eventscouncil.org

Agenda

Monday, 7 April

All Day Board Arrivals

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
EIC Board Dinner

Supra Restaurant

Tuesday, 8 April

All Day Council Arrivals

8 – 9 a.m.
EIC Board Breakfast

Barnett-Aden, Eaton DC

9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
EIC Board Meeting

Sidney, Eaton DC

2:30 – 4 p.m.
EIC Foundation Board Meeting

Sidney, Eaton DC

5:30 – 7 p.m.
EIC Council Leadership
Opening Reception

Dinner on your own

Nina May Restaurant, 1337 11th Street NW

 

Destination DC Restaurant Recommendations

CentrolinaZaytinyaCranesLucha RosaTiger ForkdLenaYardbirdGeorgia Brown’sDauphine’sUnconventional Diner

Wednesday, 9 April

All Day Council Arrivals

8 – 9 a.m.
Breakfast

Crystal Ballroom, Eaton DC

9 – 9:15 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions

  • Senthil Gopinath (CEO, ICCA and EIC Board Chair) 

Crystal Ballroom, Eaton DC

9:15 – 11 a.m.
Interactive Futures Workshop  

  • Kaihan Krippendorff (Outhinker Networks)
  • Jennifer Bender (Ipsos Global Research)

Crystal Ballroom, Eaton DC

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Oxford Economic Economic Outlook and Advocacy Panel

  • Adam Saks (President, Tourism Economics)
  • Tommy Goodwin (VP, Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance)
  • Kevin Hinton (Managing Director, Group Travel, U.S. Travel Association)
  • Senthil Gopinath (CEO, ICCA and EIC Board Chair)
  • Moderator: Stephanie Harris (President and CEO, IRF and EIC Board Chair-Elect)

Crystal Ballroom, Eaton DC

12 – 1  p.m.
Networking Lunch

Crystal Ballroom, Eaton DC

1 – 1:45 p.m.
Workforce Panel

  • Sophia Hyder Hock (Chief Inclusion Officer, Destinations International)
  • Ben Goedegebuure (Chief Global Strategy Officer, Maritz)
  • Paul VanDeventer (President and CEO, MPI)
  • Marsha Flanagan (President and CEO, IAEE)
  • Moderator: Jason Dunn, Sr. (CEO, National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals)

Crystal Ballroom, Eaton DC

1:45 – 2 p.m.
Closing Comments

  • Senthil Gopinath (CEO, ICCA and EIC Board Chair)

Crystal Ballroom, Eaton DC

Host Hotel and Meeting Venue

Eaton Hotel • 1201 K Street NW Washington, D.C. 20005 U.S.A.

Special Thanks to Our Event Hosts

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