Rich Curran is the CEO of Expo Convention Contractors, a full-service event production powerhouse that builds trade shows, conventions, and live events across the country. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Rich blends military discipline with entrepreneurial adaptability, leading his company through the unprecedented shutdown of the live events industry during the pandemic—and emerging four times larger than before.

Over his 25-year career, Rich has transformed a family business into a national leader by combining operational precision, creative execution, and a relationship-first approach. Known for building “temporary cities” in days and dismantling them in hours, he thrives under high-stakes deadlines and complex logistics.

Rich’s leadership philosophy is rooted in three pillars: discipline, honed in the Marines; resilience, forged through crisis; and connection, built on decades of trusted client and team relationships. He hosts the industry podcast Behind the Drapes with Expo Rich, giving audiences a rare look at the behind-the-scenes challenges and triumphs of event production.

A competitive athlete in bodybuilding, mixed martial arts, and jujitsu, Rich brings the same focus to personal goals that he applies to his business vision: growing Expo in revenue while developing the next generation of leaders.

Leadership Through Accountability: Turning Ownership Into Results

Tuesday, February 24, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM 

True leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about ownership. In this session, Leadership Through Accountability explores how the most effective leaders create clarity, trust, and momentum by holding themselves accountable first. Drawing from real-world leadership experience, this talk breaks down how accountability drives culture, performance, and sustainable growth—without micromanagement or fear.

Attendees will learn how to set clear expectations, align teams around shared outcomes, and replace excuses with ownership at every level of an organization. The session also addresses the hard realities of leadership: difficult conversations, consistent follow-through, and leading with integrity when it matters most.