Special Events

Network with Potential Business Partners and Colleagues at these exciting events!

Admission to all of the events listed below are included with your full registration to the ECA Marketplace.

ECA is Pleased to Announce a Performance by Second City – Tuesday, April 14th

Laugh & Learn with Second City Communications, a Division of the World-Famous Comedy Theatre, The Second City. Innovative ideas are often what make individuals or business into industry leaders, but fear of taking risks can inhibit creativity and innovation. This truly unique blend of presentation, demonstration, audience participation and entertainment is rolled into one session to inspire you to "Think Outside the Box". Discover creative strategies for business brilliance techniques to generate new ideas and new solutions.

Headquartered in Chicago, The Second City has been performing sketch comedy in front of audiences for 50 years, making us the standard by which comedy and improv in America is judged. So much talent has come from the ranks of our company's many theaters over the years that it reads like a who's who of contemporary American comedy. Some of our most well-known alumni are John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Mike Myers, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert, to name a few. The work of Second City Communications involves some 250 writers, actors, directors, stage managers, musical directors, instructors, program designers, editors and production crew. Every single year, we work with groups as small as 4 and as large as 18,000. We have worked with the employees of over 400 Fortune 1000 companies.

ECA is Pleased to Announce a Special Evening Performance by Sidney Friedman, Mentalist Extraordinaire – Wednesday, April 15th

The original fun, warm, engaging corporate entertainment show by Sidney Friedman in his home town of Chicago. Beyond futurist, mentalist, intuitive, mind power expert, mystifier, "psychic," musician, and yet a combination of all seven, Friedman has been praised as the top brand of corporate event and holiday party entertainment. Seen on ABC-TV's THE VIEW and NBC's TODAY SHOW, praised by Fortune 100s, and a favorite of celebrities, his show is an exciting experience of inspirational ESP, telepathy, mind games, exclusive Music Mind Reading, and audience involvement.

ECA is Pleased to Announce a Special Lunchtime Presentation from Francis (Frank) Meehan, Transportation Security Administration – Wednesday, April 15th

Within months after the attacks on the World Trade Center, Frank was selected to join the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as a Supervisor and deploy throughout the United States, assisting in the federalization of numerous airports; in this process Frank trained and certified hundreds of passenger screeners. He is currently a Senior Transportation Security Inspector – Cargo with the TSA and is assigned to the Phoenix, Arizona office. He is also an Instructor and Certified Training Provider tasked with certifying new Inspectors. In the business world, Frank has held positions as Director of Investigations for an International Investigations Firm, Chief of a Financial Crimes Investigations Department and a regional Security Manager.

Join us for our Opening Night Vendor Appreciation Reception – Tuesday, April 14th

Enjoy the company of your friends and colleagues, get a sneak peek of our Vendor EXPO and be among the first to receive your interview schedules during this opening night event. Make the most of the ECA Marketplace by joining us for this important event.

Join us for an Exclusive Five Star Member Cocktail Reception – Wednesday, April 15th

This is an exclusive benefit for our 2009 Five Star Members (as a thank you for your support of the association) and will be held prior to our Annual Shipper Appreciation Dinner. Special identification is required.