Expert Exhibitor

ESCA 3.0: A New Strategic Framework to Guide the Exposition Services Industry’s Next Chapter

Association also names President Randy Pekowski as its representative on the board of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance

The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) has introduced ESCA 3.0, a refreshed set of strategic priorities designed to guide the exposition services industry into its next chapter. The framework was unveiled by ESCA President Randy Pekowski, President and CEO of The Expo Group, at the association’s Summer Educational Conference in Banff, Canada, in June 2026.

“ESCA 3.0 is a road map for meeting the needs of our member companies and strengthening our industry with a clear path forward,” said Pekowski. “I’m honored to help lead that work, and I thank the board and the ESCA staff who shaped it.”

“ESCA 3.0 reflects a year of listening to our members,” said Julie Kagy, ESCA Executive Director. “These four priorities are where they told us the industry needs us most.”

The framework is organized around four core priorities:

  • Advocacy & Industry Voice: telling the story of the exposition services industry as its authoritative voice, defending its interests, shaping its narrative, and representing it in policy and regulation.
  • NextGen & Workforce Development: recruiting, training, mentoring, and retaining the next generation of exposition services professionals at every stage of their careers.
  • Industry Standards & Safety: reducing the complexity of exhibiting by setting industry standards, creating shared platforms, and establishing safety practices that drive efficiency, accountability, and sustainability.
  • Community & Connection: continuing to be the organization that connects the entire exhibition industry and provides new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

A four-part video series introducing ESCA 3.0 is available on the ESCA 3.0 page. Media outlets are welcome to embed or share the videos.

A Seat on the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance Board

Alongside the ESCA 3.0 rollout, the ESCA board named Pekowski as its representative on the board of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the exhibition industry’s leading advocacy organization. The appointment continues ESCA’s long-standing representation on the ECA board.

“The ECA plays a meaningful role for our industry and the broader event ecosystem,” said Pekowski. “I have believed in ECA’s mission since its founding, and I am honored to succeed the leaders who held this seat before me, including Damon Ross, Sr. Group Vice President of CORT Events; Bob Priest-Heck, former Freeman CEO; and Chris Schimek, President of Freeman Events & Exhibits, in representing ESCA in this role.”

“Since day one, ESCA has been part of the fabric of ECA, ensuring that the voice of exhibition service contractors, suppliers, and partners remains front and center with policymakers,” said Tommy Goodwin, ECA’s president and chief executive officer. “Over time, ESCA has been represented on the ECA board of directors by a who’s who of industry leaders. Having Randy Pekowski join the ECA board will ensure that ESCA’s voice at this industry table goes from strength to strength, and we are delighted to have him on board.”

About ESCA

Established in 1970, the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) is the unified voice of service contractors and their partners in the exhibition industry. Through a strong network of members across the nation, ESCA works alongside industry organizations to champion the exhibition sector and advance our members’ interests. For more information, visit www.esca.org.

About the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance

The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) is a coalition of leading associations comprising the unified public policy voice of the business and professional events industry. To learn more about ECA and its work to advance the interests of the industry, please visit www.exhibitionsconferencesalliance.org.

ECA’s member associations include:

  • Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA)
  • Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA)
  • International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE)
  • International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM)
  • International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)
  • PCMA
  • Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO)
  • UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry

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