The exhibition industry faces unprecedented change, and traditional retrospective analysis simply isn’t enough. The 2025 CEIR Predict Conference on 11-12 September at MGM National Harbor takes a revolutionary outward-looking approach, bringing together industry executives with insights from outside experts who see beyond our sector’s traditional boundaries. This unique perspective offers exhibition professionals a strategic advantage in positioning their events for the trends that will define the next three to five years.
The Power of Balanced Forecasting
What makes Predict truly different is its comprehensive approach to industry intelligence. The conference combines two critical elements that most industry events treat separately:
- Quantitative Foundation: Hard data from the CEIR Index provides the metrics that matter most – square footage trends, exhibitor participation rates, attendance patterns, and revenue trajectories. This data-driven foundation ensures decisions are grounded in measurable reality.
- Qualitative Intelligence: Thought leadership insights explore the human factors driving exhibition success, from evolving attendee engagement patterns to emerging user experience expectations. These qualitative elements provide the context that transforms raw data into actionable strategy.
This powerful combination delivers the complete picture that industry leaders need to make strategic decisions with genuine confidence.
A Lineup Designed for Strategic Advantage
The 2025 program brings together world-class experts across multiple disciplines, each offering unique insights into the forces shaping our industry’s future:
Global Economic Intelligence
Dr. Lindsey Piegza, Chief Economist at Stifel Nicolaus, will provide comprehensive macroeconomic analysis, covering everything from growth projections to monetary policy implications and their direct impact on exhibition businesses.
“The exhibition industry operates at the intersection of global commerce and economic trends, making it uniquely sensitive to macroeconomic shifts,” said Piegza. “Understanding the broader picture of today’s fast-changing economic environment – from Federal Reserve policy decisions to international trade dynamics – isn’t just valuable, it’s essential for strategic planning. I will be breaking down the complex economic indicators that directly impact exhibition businesses, translating macro-level trends into actionable insights that can inform everything from venue investments to event timing decisions.”
Industry-Specific Market Analysis
Adam Sacks, President of Tourism Economics (an Oxford Economics Company), will present the latest CEIR Index insights, demonstrating how to leverage sector-specific data for more accurate forecasting and opportunity identification.
“The exhibition industry is facing heightened uncertainty as trade policy affect corporate investment decisions,” said Sacks. “At the same time, CEIR Index fundamentals point toward resilience. I’m looking forward to delving into the latest data and identifying areas of opportunity and exposures to downside risk for individual sectors.”
Geopolitical Risk Navigation
Jonathan Wood, Principal with Control Risks, will map the complex terrain of global risks affecting exhibitions, from supply chain disruptions to regulatory changes and market volatility that could impact international events.
“Given the current geopolitical disruptions, exhibition organizers cannot treat international events as business as usual,” said Wood. “From sudden visa restrictions or conflicts that can derail major trade shows to supply chain disruptions that impact everything from booth construction to catering, the risks are real and costly. I will map out the specific geopolitical flashpoints that could impact your business events in the next 18 months – and more importantly, show you how to build resilience into your planning before crisis strikes.”
Experience Economy Mastery
Jim Gilmore, co-author of “The Experience Economy” and co-founder of Strategic Horizons LLP, will reveal how to design experiences that transform time into your most valuable currency, creating deeper connections with all stakeholders.
“The term ‘experience’ has been familiar to practitioners in the exhibitions and events industry for decades,” said Gilmore. “I hope to provide CEIR Predict participants – both those who have not read ‘The Experience Economy’ and those who have read it – useful perspective on the myriad ways to apply experience-thinking, as well as some practical tools for designing truly engaging experiences.”
Power Shifts and Storylines: Navigating Global Change and Media Influence
Nicholas Johnston, Publisher of Axios, will join Global Leadership Expert and Geopolitical Strategist Dr. Sam Potolicchio, for an essential conversation about navigating our fast-shifting business environment. Drawing from frontline insights in global policy and cutting-edge media trends, this session will provide attendees with critical tools for understanding emerging challenges and opportunities that will empower executive leaders to guide their organizations through complexity with strategic vision and unwavering confidence.
“In today’s hyperconnected world, the events that shape headlines on Monday are reshaping business strategies by Friday,” said Johnston. “The organizations that rise to the top are those with leaders who excel at reading the signals, understanding the deeper currents and positioning their organizations ahead of the curve.”
Predictions for the Future of Business and Exhibitions
Dr. Sam Potolicchio, President of the Preparing Global Leaders Forum, will close Predict by examining the convergence of global political, social and environmental forces reshaping the business landscape, revealing what they mean specifically for the exhibition industry. His strategic analysis goes beyond surface-level trends to uncover the deeper shifts that will determine which organizations will thrive in the next five years. He will also provide a candid assessment of his previous year’s predictions, analyzing both the forecasts that materialized and those that missed the mark, offering valuable insights into the unpredictable nature of today’s strategic planning.
“The companies that thrive in the next five years won’t be those with the biggest booths, but those whose leaders understand the fundamental shifts in how commerce actually works,” said Potolicchio. “I will reveal the business model changes that are already reshaping our industry, often in ways that catch organizers completely off guard.”
The Strategic Imperative
Last year’s Predict conference covered critical topics including economic impacts, geopolitical risks, AI applications and election implications. The 2025 agenda builds on these proven foundations while introducing new perspectives essential for navigating tomorrow’s challenges.
Attendees consistently report that Predict provides them with insights they can’t find anywhere else in the industry, helping them make strategic decisions that position their organizations ahead of the curve rather than reacting to changes after they happen.
In an industry where success increasingly depends on anticipating change rather than reacting to it, the CEIR Predict Conference offers something invaluable: the ability to see around corners. Top industry executives understand that competitive advantage belongs to those who not only understand what happened, but are fully prepared for what’s coming next.
