Lippman Connects
Lippman Connects is a founder-led, Arlington VA-based events and advisory firm producing facilitated roundtables and forums for US exhibition and convention industry executives, with capped sponsorship as its premium revenue lever.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersArlington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Lippman Connects does
Lippman Connects is a privately held, founder-owned events and advisory services company founded ~2001 and headquartered in Arlington, VA. The company produces a curated portfolio of facilitated roundtable forums and conferences serving the exhibitions and conventions industry. Its core products are four signature event programs: the annual Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF, now in its 25th year), the Attendee Acquisition Roundtable (AAR), the Exhibit Sales Roundtable (ESR), and the Large Show Roundtable (LSR), which is restricted to shows with 125,000+ net square feet of exhibit space. The portfolio has expanded to include the Midsize Show Roundtable (MSR), a Digital Summit, the TechDemo showcase, and a Resources Library of curated research and session recordings, together with co-branded industry research produced in collaboration with EVOLIO and Trade Show Executive.
The underlying platform is best characterized as an event-management and professional-networking operation rather than a technology product. Programming is delivered through in-person roundtables at curated venues (Marriott Marquis Chicago, Convene Rosslyn City Center, Huntington Place Detroit) with a third-party contractor handling registration. All sessions are led by founder Sam Lippman, a certified facilitator, which is the company's central intellectual asset rather than any software stack. Distribution leverages dual-membership status in IAEE, PCMA, and SISO, an exclusive media partnership with Trade Show Executive, and direct sponsorship relationships.
The business model rests on two revenue streams: event registration fees for the four (now expanded to seven) programs, and capped, premium-priced sponsorship packages positioned as 'immersive experiences' for suppliers serving the exhibition industry. Sponsorship availability is intentionally rationed to preserve sponsor-to-attendee ratios, functioning as both a quality control and a pricing-power mechanism. The organization is deliberately small — 1-10 employees — with Sam Lippman as President and Founder owning primary operational and equity control; there is no evidence of institutional capital, parent company, or M&A activity.
Lippman Connects firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lippman Connects
- Legal name
- Lippman Connects
- Website
- https://lippmanconnects.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Lippman Connects is a founder-led, Arlington VA-based events and advisory firm producing facilitated roundtables and forums for US exhibition and convention industry executives, with capped sponsorship as its premium revenue lever.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lippman Connects industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Events and Conferences
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Professional & Association Conferences (MPAGAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK), Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK), Exhibitor/Sponsor Management (Corporate Conferences) (THACAFAN)
Keywords
Where Lippman Connects is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arlington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Lippman Connects business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Event Registration Fees: Revenue from registration fees for ECEF, AAR, ESR, and LSR professional events targeting exhibition and convention industry executives
- Sponsorship Packages: Immersive sponsorship experiences for suppliers committed to fostering excellence in the exhibition industry. Sponsorship opportunities are capped to maintain optimal ratios.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Event registration and sponsorship opportunities |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Lippman Connects product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lippman Connects produces and facilitates a portfolio of in-person professional events and roundtable forums for the exhibition and convention industry, including the flagship Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF), Attendee Acquisition Roundtable (AAR), Exhibit Sales Roundtable (ESR), and Large Show Roundtable (LSR). The company also runs a Midsize Show Roundtable, Digital Summit, TechDemo, and curated Resources Library, and sells capped sponsorship packages to suppliers serving the exhibition industry. Events are certified-facilitator-led to keep industry executive discussions structured and on-topic.
Product overview
Lippman Connects operates as a professional events and networking company producing a portfolio of roundtable forums and conferences for the exhibition and convention industry. The core offerings include four primary event programs: Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF) as the flagship annual conference now celebrating 25 years, Attendee Acquisition Roundtable (AAR) for marketing professionals, Exhibit Sales Roundtable (ESR) for sales practitioners, and Large Show Roundtable (LSR) exclusively for shows with 125,000+ net square feet. The portfolio also includes Midsize Show Roundtable (MSR) for medium-scale events, a Digital Summit for virtual programming, and TechDemo for showcasing event technology solutions. Supporting these events is a Resources Library containing curated research, presentation decks, videos, and industry content. The company is led by President and Founder Sam Lippman and facilitates professional relationships and knowledge sharing among exhibition and convention executives.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF) Annual flagship event connecting exhibition and convention industry leaders for learning, networking, and professional development. Targets C-level executives and senior leadership at organizations that own or manage trade shows and conventions.
- Attendee Acquisition Roundtable (AAR) Event focused on strategies and best practices for attendee acquisition and retention, designed for marketers and professionals involved in event attendance growth at trade show organizers.
- Exhibit Sales Roundtable (ESR) Roundtable forum for professionals involved in exhibit and sponsorship sales, focusing on sales tactics and revenue strategies for trade show sales teams.
- Large Show Roundtable (LSR) Exclusive forum for trade shows with 125,000-plus net square feet of exhibit space, addressing large-scale event management challenges and strategies for executives at the largest U.S. trade shows.
- Resources Library Curated library of industry research, presentations, videos, and educational content covering sales, marketing, executive management, show management, hiring and staffing, and technology topics for exhibition industry professionals.
- Midsize Show Roundtable (MSR) Forum for midsize trade show professionals to address industry-specific challenges and share best practices for shows below the LSR 125,000+ nsf threshold.
- Digital Summit Virtual event platform and digital programming offering remote industry engagement and learning for exhibition and convention professionals.
- TechDemo Technology demonstration showcase featuring innovative event technology solutions for exhibition industry leaders and decision-makers.
Companies that use Lippman Connects
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Lippman Connects technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Lippman Connects partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Convene (1201 Wilson Blvd)coreConvene 1201 Wilson Blvd to host all Lippman Connects Roundtables in Greater DC Area, providing premium venue facilities for professional events
- Trade Show Executive (TSE)coreTrade Show Executive named exclusive media partner for Lippman Connects Roundtables, providing industry press coverage, editorial content, and media visibility for events including ECEF and roundtable programs.
- International Association of Exhibition and Events (IAEE)coreSam Lippman is an active member of IAEE; company produces events and content aligned with IAEE's exhibition industry mission; IAEE publishes content through Exhibitor magazine connection
- Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)coreSam Lippman is an active member of PCMA; PCMA's Convene magazine provides editorial coverage of Lippman Connects events and professionals
- Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO)coreSam Lippman is an active member of SISO, the trade association for independent show organizers; supports industry collaboration and professional development
- EVOLIOcoreLippman Connects partners with EVOLIO for research collaboration, producing studies on attendee acquisition, exhibit sales, and sponsorship trends for the exhibition industry
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Lippman Connects competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- RX Global (Reed Exhibitions): RX Global is a leading global exhibition organizer spanning major industry verticals. As a broad incumbent, it competes for the same trade show sponsor ecosystem and overlapping senior executive audiences that Lippman Connects serves.
- Tarsus Group: Tarsus Group produces B2B events and trade exhibitions across multiple verticals, with a strong focus on niche industry events. It competes for similar niche sponsorship dollars and target executive audiences in the trade show ecosystem.
- Informa Markets: Informa Markets is one of the world's largest exhibition and event organizers, producing hundreds of trade shows across verticals. It is a broader incumbent that competes for the same sponsor and attendee budgets as Lippman Connects' targeted roundtables.
- Emerald Holding: Emerald produces over 140 events across B2B verticals and operates a content and media business. It is a broad incumbent that competes for B2B trade show sponsorship and attendee budgets in overlapping verticals.
Direct peers
- IMEX Group: IMEX operates major exhibitions and conferences (IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX America) for the global meetings, incentives, and events industry. Comparable in producing large-scale, attendee-funded business events with sponsorship and registration revenue models.
- SISO (Society of Independent Show Organizers): SISO is a trade association for independent show organizers that runs its own conferences and leadership events for the same executive buyer profile Lippman Connects targets. Both produce curated, peer-focused events for senior exhibition operators.
- PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association): PCMA is a leading association for the meetings, conventions, and events industry, producing its flagship Convening Leaders conference. It serves a similar executive and senior-manager audience in the broader events/convention space that overlaps with Lippman Connects' exhibition executive focus.
- IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events): IAEE is the trade association for the exhibition industry and produces Expo!Expo!, its flagship annual event for exhibition and event organizers. Both IAEE and Lippman Connects serve the same buyer persona (exhibition industry executives) and run annual forums around industry development.
Others
- Trade Show Executive (TSE): Trade Show Executive is the exclusive media partner of Lippman Connects' roundtables and serves the same trade show industry executive audience with editorial coverage and its own awards programs. Highly adjacent as media and event partner rather than direct competitor.
Emerging players
- Questex: Questex is a vertical-focused information and events business that produces industry-specific conferences and media properties. Comparable as a mid-sized vertical event organizer with a content-event hybrid model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Lippman Connects social profiles
Digital presenceLippman Connects financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lippman Connects leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Lippman Connects funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lippman Connects M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lippman Connects
What does Lippman Connects do?
Lippman Connects produces and facilitates a portfolio of in-person professional events and roundtable forums for the exhibition and convention industry, including the flagship Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF), Attendee Acquisition Roundtable (AAR), Exhibit Sales Roundtable (ESR), and Large Show Roundtable (LSR). The company also runs a Midsize Show Roundtable, Digital Summit, TechDemo, and curated Resources Library, and sells capped sponsorship packages to suppliers serving the exhibition industry. Events are certified-facilitator-led to keep industry executive discussions structured and on-topic.
Is Lippman Connects a public or private company?
Lippman Connects is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Lippman Connects founded?
Lippman Connects was founded in 2000. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Lippman Connects based?
Lippman Connects is headquartered in Arlington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lippman Connects make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Event Registration Fees are the primary driver. The others are sponsorship Packages.
Who are Lippman Connects's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are RX Global (Reed Exhibitions), Tarsus Group, Informa Markets and Emerald Holding. Direct peers are IMEX Group, SISO (Society of Independent Show Organizers), PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) and IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events). Trade Show Executive (TSE) is listed as an others. Questex is listed as an emerging player.
Does Lippman Connects have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lippman Connects.
What industry is Lippman Connects in?
Lippman Connects's product category is Professional Events and Conferences. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAGAB, Professional & Association Conferences, with a secondary code of THAHACAK, Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services. Its NAICS code is 56192.