Blog

October 2026 Digest

The October 2026 ESCA Digest: Winter Celebration & Awards and our sponsors, key submission deadlines, Badge renewal, the Virtual Town Hall and member news.

The ESCA Digest
 
October 2026
Rachel Rodean
Rachel Rodean
Director of Education & Events, ESCA

A Seat on the Other Side

In our world, the show never stops. There is always another move-in, another deadline, another email that “just needs a quick answer.” Most of my time in this industry has been spent behind the scenes managing logistics, building educational programs, worrying about whether a session should run for 45 minutes or a full hour. When we live inside a production schedule, we start to view an event as a machine of moving parts rather than an experience. We build cities out of nothing in a few days' time, tear them down even quicker, then move on to start all over for the next event. Somewhere along the way, getting caught up in the day-to-day grind can make it easy to forget the magic of what we do… and the reason we fell in love with this industry in the first place.

This September, it felt almost wrong when I closed my inbox and set aside my clipboard to attend TSE Gold 100 as an attendee.

Rachel Rodean
Director of Education and Events

Read the Full Letter

Join Us for the Winter Celebration & Awards

Sunday, November 15, 2026  •  6:00–10:00 PM
The Wisconsin Club, Milwaukee

Register Now

ESCA 2026 Award Recipients: Charlie Premone, Kevin Small, beMatrix and Emerald Carpets

Come for the celebration. Stay for the supper club.

  • Live jazz and brandy Old Fashioneds
  • Plated dinner and open bar
  • Time to catch up beyond the show floor

Raise a glass to this year's honorees at A Toast to Tradition.

Thank You to Our Winter Celebration Sponsors

Hear from our valued sponsors as they share their excitement for this year's celebration — and their reasons for supporting ESCA.

Diamond Sponsors
beMatrix
“beMatrix USA is proud to support ESCA as you champion our industry and the people who make events happen! Thank you for being a true partner and advocate for the GSC community. We love connecting with your members and being part of this incredible team. Next stop: Milwaukee! We can't wait to celebrate with you!”
ConventionSuite
“We're proud to be ESCA members and support its forward-thinking technology initiatives. Our commitment to innovation helps advance the industry through flexible, scalable, single-source solutions that enable general contractors to grow operations by up to 10x and meet evolving industry needs.”
CORT Events
“At CORT Events, we're proud to support ESCA and the collaborative spirit that drives innovation across our industry. We're excited to reunite in Milwaukee for the ESCA Winter Awards and celebrate the outstanding achievements, partnerships, and connections that make our industry thrive. We can't wait to reconnect and celebrate together.”
Emerald Carpets
“Emerald Carpets is proud to support ESCA and the incredible people who make our industry thrive. We're excited for the 2026 Winter Celebration & Awards and the opportunity to celebrate another year of innovation, collaboration, and achievement while recognizing the leaders and partnerships that continue to grow and move our industry forward.”
EventMobi
“ESCA members make every exhibition possible. EventMobi is proud to support the community that keeps our industry moving, and we can't wait to see everyone there!”
Fern
“We at Fern are honored to serve as the Diamond Sponsor of ESCA's Winter Celebration & Awards. Our partnership with ESCA continues to advance innovation, safety, and collaboration across the exhibitions and events industry, and we're excited to keep building that shared success together.”
Freeman
“Freeman is proud to support ESCA's Winter Celebration & Awards and champion the collaboration that strengthens our industry. We're committed to working together to advance safe, seamless, and impactful experiences for everyone.”
GES
“GES is excited to support ESCA and the Winter Celebration & Awards. Events like these bring our industry together to connect, learn, and celebrate excellence. We look forward to honoring this year's achievements and spending time with colleagues, partners, and friends from across the ESCA community.”
Heritage
“Big accomplishments deserve a brilliant celebration. Heritage is excited to be a Diamond Sponsor of ESCA's Winter Celebration & Awards, recognizing the people and partnerships making an impact across our industry.”
Superior Expo Services
“At Superior Expo Services, we're proud to support ESCA and be part of a community that feels like family. We value the friendships, shared knowledge, and support that help us all grow and make our industry stronger.”
The Expo Group
“ESCA has created a strong vision for the members and industry by Engaging NextGen, Standards & Safety, Community & Connections and Advocacy & Industry Voice priorities. The Expo Group is honored to support and participate in delivering this new vision. Join us at the Winter Awards to celebrate what we can achieve together.”
Platinum Sponsors
Boomer Commerce
“A strong industry is built by people who share their experience and help one another succeed. Boomer Commerce is proud to support ESCA and be part of the community that makes that possible.”
Expo Convention Contractors
“We're proud to sponsor ESCA's 2026 Winter Celebration & Awards as we recognize the people, partnerships, and achievements that make our industry exceptional. At EXPO, we believe success is built together.”
Oscar & Associates
“Oscar & Associates is proud to be an ESCA partner. The work that the ESCA team does is so important and beneficial to their members. They truly punch above their weight and, along with all the other partners they have brought together, are bringing meaningful change with a lasting impact to this great industry. Thank you for bringing us along as well.”
Show Strategy
“Show Strategy is proud to support ESCA and looks forward to the strategic initiatives, meaningful collaborations, and new opportunities that will drive our industry forward.”
SourceOne Events
“At SourceOne Events, we believe strong partnerships are the foundation of a thriving industry. We're proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of ESCA's 2026 Winter Celebration & Awards and look forward to celebrating the people, innovation, and collaboration that make our industry exceptional.”

Become a Sponsor ›

Key Submission Due Dates

ESCA Summer Educational Conference
December 18
Summer Educational Conference Call for Proposals Submission Deadline
The Badge - Powered by ESCA
Renewal Season Is Open

The Badge Got an Upgrade

Is your badge expiring in 2026? It's time to renew. The Badge portal has been upgraded to make renewing easier for badge admins and users.

  • Simpler, more secure sign-in. Sign in with a secure magic link sent to your email. No more usernames and passwords to remember.
  • Updated technology. Order, renew and replace lost badges and update your organization's information, all in one portal.
  • Digital badge included. Every badge now comes with a digital badge alongside the physical one.
  • Bundled shipping. Standard shipping is now built into the price of every badge.
$32 / $40
ESCA member / non-member
2 years
valid per badge
Included
standard shipping

Badge pricing has changed, and renewed badges are now valid for two years.

Renew Badges

Save the Date

2026 ESCA Virtual Town Hall

Tuesday, December 8, 2026

Join us for ESCA's annual Town Hall for a look at our financial performance, membership growth, event highlights and upgrades to The Badge. We'll share progress on our strategic priorities and what's ahead for the coming year.
Registration details coming soon!

Watch the 2025 ESCA Virtual Town Hall recording
Catch Up Before December
2025 ESCA Virtual Town Hall

Watch Past Town Halls

New on esca.org

 
Show Floor Safety
Give Safety a Minute
Take a Maverick Minute - Pause. Inspect. Protect.Help bring the Maverick Minute Foundation's “Pause. Inspect. Protect.” message to your show floor.

•  Share the safety one-pager with your crews.
•  Print and display safety signage.
•  Support the foundation's work.
 

Access the Safety Resources

 
Collective Bargaining Agreements 2027 Renewal Calendar
Labor & Management Council
CBA Expiration Calendar
Plan ahead with ESCA's 2027 collective bargaining agreement renewal calendar, developed by the Labor & Management Council and now available directly on esca.org.

View the Calendar

Member & Partner News

01
Aluvision Opens New Las Vegas Showroom and Sales Center
Twice the size of its previous space and minutes from Harry Reid International Airport, with an expanded showroom, more product in stock and on-site training through Aluvision Academy. Read More ›
02
Bring Advocacy to Your Show Floor With ECA's Show Floor Program
Invite elected officials to your event so they can see firsthand how our industry drives economic growth, creates jobs and supports small businesses. The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance helps at every step, from coordinating with the policymaker's office to materials and follow-up. Read More ›

Where Will ESCA Be Next?

Nov
16
ESCA Winter Board Meeting
Milwaukee, WI  •  8:00 AM–3:00 PM
Nov
16+
IAEE Expo! Expo!
Milwaukee, WI  •  Booth 488 — visit the Exhibitions Industry Collective Pavilion

Full ESCA Calendar

Your company is an ESCA member. Are you making the most of it?
Share your company news and milestones in our monthly newsletter at no cost.

Submit Your News View Member Directory

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Contributors

    Contributors

      About ESCA

      ESCA is the premier association for companies providing services and materials to the meetings, exhibitions, and hospitality industry. Our extensive network of members allows us to offer unparalleled opportunities for networking and resources.