CHICAGO — Following its announcement of the new Rising Leaders Committee, the Exhibition Services and Contractors Association (ESCA) announced an all-new event — the Rising Leaders Summit. The summit is scheduled for Feb. 4-5 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.
This event is designed to not only educate, but also empower the future generation of leaders in the industry. Through impactful educational opportunities and peer-to-peer networking, ESCA’s Rising Leaders Summit will give early-career professionals the chance to develop essential skills together and with leadership.
“The Rising Leaders Committee and Summit aren’t just about helping young professionals — they’re creating a lasting impact across all of ESCA. By driving fresh ideas, building connections across generations, and reinforcing the importance of leadership development, this initiative ensures that ESCA stays relevant and adaptable. It’s more than just individual growth; it’s about strengthening the entire organization and pushing the industry forward together,” said Rachel Rodean, Director of Education & Events at ESCA.
The summit’s one-and-a-half day agenda includes industry-specific workshops, leadership development sessions, seminars on hot industry trends, interactive sessions with leaders and hands-on training in leadership competencies. There will also be a LinkedIn Café, where professionals can get their profile reviewed and participate in a headshot station to elevate their online presence.
Related. ESCA Launches New Rising Leaders Committee for Young and Early-Career Professionals
On the docket for the event is also a dine-around networking opportunity, giving attendees the chance to network in an informal setting conducive to natural connection-building while enjoying some of the city’s great bites.
“Overall networking and education are what I’m most excited for. I know those may be buzzwords, but I truly believe these areas are so important to anyone’s growth. ESCA and the Rising Leaders Committee are cultivating a unique agenda to provide relevant and thoughtful topics of education and build professional relationships through networking. Our goal is that anyone who attends, walks away with new perspectives and tools to use from our education topics, gains new relationships, and has fun while they do it,” said Kevin Small, Director of Client Services at GES and Primary Chair for ESCA’s Rising Leaders Committee.
Registration for the 2025 Rising Leaders Summit will open in November, with ESCA members getting a discount on the registration fee. Find out more about the summit here, and find a customizable justification letter to help make a compelling case for why you should attend the event today.
