ECIA Update on In-Person Executive Conference

Atlanta – ECIA has announced that the upcoming Executive Conference will be open only to vaccinated persons and held as scheduled at the Loew’s Chicago O’Hare October 24-26. The 2021 event is themed “Charting the Course Forward” and will be the first time the industry has met in person in nearly two years. The conference program captures the industry’s main challenge: to imagine and prepare for post-pandemic business conditions where continued volatility and supply chain disruption are bound to be the new normal. It reflects the enormous task companies face as they map their strategic plan for 2022.

The ECIA staff and the Board of Directors are watching the Covid data carefully. In planning for the event, they are using an abundance of caution and following safety protocols. ECIA staff is in constant communication with the hotel about risk mitigations. In addition, ECIA’s Chief Analyst Dale Ford is conducting research to take the pulse of members about post-pandemic recovery policies, including employee travel restrictions. The Loew’s hotel has procedures in place to make it a clean and safe environment for all. Their generous cancellation policy ensures a risk-free reservation where guests may cancel up to 24 hours ahead of arrival. ECIA also has a no-risk cancellation policy in place for registration and many airlines have instituted flexible travel policies.

For now, the Executive Conference committee encourages all those who plan to attend the event to register. In order to properly plan for a successful event, they need to know how many people plan to attend. The ECIA Board of Directors will make the final decision in mid-September based on CDC guidelines, Cook County Illinois health data and the association’s survey and registration information. All of the information will be reported to the Board to enable an informed decision.

“This is a fast-moving situation, and we believe the conference will take place,” said David Loftus, ECIA President and CEO. “Illinois remains open for business, with sensible and well-enforced state-wide mitigation policies. The final decision about the event will be made over a month ahead of the event, giving people plenty of time to make their travel arrangements. Join us and your peers for a great event!”

“If you plan to attend, register now,” added Conference Chair Mark Conley. “The electronic components industry thrives on relationships, and meeting in-person is the best way to foster those. We look forward to seeing you in October!”

For more information about ‘Charting the Course Forward’ visit ECIAExecConference.org.