Profit-Driven Planning: 2026 Budget & Forecasting for Event Pros

Ekima Smith

CEO/Founder - EDCAC

Ekima Smith, has had a remarkable career across the Banking, Retail and Insurance Sector. She has contributed significantly to finance and accounting operations for CITI Group, LBrands (the former parent company of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works), and Nationwide Insurance. Her expertise spans areas such as earnings preparation, inventory management, enterprise capital forecast, Profit & Loss modeling, procurement & sourcing, supplier relationship management, and departmental budgets. While her career has spanned across the corporate sector, Ekima has always had a passion for event planning and design. She turned her passion into a portfolio of successful event centric businesses: The Five Party & Event Center, The Five Props & Rentals and EDCAC (Event Designers & Creative Accelerator Consultants) providing a full service event experience from event design and venue management to industry education. Ekima is currently a Board Member for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce (COAACC). She is also a member of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council and served on the Certification Committee of the Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council.