ECA Supports New Legislation to Address Visa Delays
August 21, 2023
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) applauds the introduction of the Visa Processing Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation that was introduced on July 27 by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS). The legislation addresses the long visitor visa appointment wait times that are impacting the business events sector.
The Visa Processing Improvement Act proposes to improve visa processing within the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs in four ways:
- Increasing consular office flexibility and capacity
- Improving transparency and accountability
- Revising in-person interview waiver eligibility
- Improving the service experience
Reducing visitor visa interview wait times was one of three policy issues addressed during ECA’s Legislative Action Day on June 1. Nearly 100 industry professionals, including TSNN, from 24 states participated in more than 100 meetings with their Congressional representatives, including Klobuchar and Moran, to advocate for this important legislation.
Related: ECA LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAY ATTENDEES MAKE THE CASE FOR EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS ON CAPITOL HILL
“Ongoing delays in visa processing are negatively impacting businesses, universities and families across Kansas and our country,” Moran stated in a press release. “This straightforward, sensible bill will hold the State Department accountable for the current long wait times required to receive a visitor visa and improve the Visa Processing System for certain applicants.”
Introduction of the Visa Processing Improvement Act is the latest development in Congress’ increased action on visa delay-related issues. In recent weeks, both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Appropriations addressed visa processing concerns in their respective State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs legislation. The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Relations also held an oversight subcommittee hearing where the impacts of visa delays on the business events sector were front and center.
Reaction from industry leaders
“We welcome today’s legislation, as it brings much-needed solutions to the prolonged visa delays faced by our friends and partners overseas, particularly in Mexico, India and Brazil,” said Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky, who serves as chair of the ECA board of directors. “Such restrictions inhibited American business event organizers from welcoming buyers back to their events in the United States.”
He continued, “The legislation opens the doors to welcome back numerous international exhibitors, attendees and buyers to U.S. events, revitalizing access to essential customer bases and unlocking opportunities. The impact of these delays has been far-reaching, especially on small businesses, representing 80% of the exhibitor base within the events industry. With the enactment of this legislation, a promising future awaits as we pave the way for growth and progress, where U.S. businesses can continue to thrive.”
Society of Independent Show Organizers Chief Executive Officer and ECA Co-President Vinnie Polito said, “Unacceptable visa delays continue to hold back the industry’s otherwise remarkable rebound. From setting clear goals for interview wait times to introducing new modernized processes, the Visa Processing Improvement Act would improve visa operations at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world and help our international stakeholders get back to business in the U.S.”
International Association of Exhibitions and Events President and CEO and ECA Co-President David DuBois said, “Exhibitions mean business nationwide and around the world. ECA would like to thank Senators Amy Klobuchar and Jerry Moran for introducing their bipartisan legislation, which will support the continued return of trade shows, conferences and exhibitions taking place coast to coast, as well as the countless U.S. small businesses that they work hard to serve every day.”
Next steps
ECA will be actively engaged on Capitol Hill in support of the Visa Processing Improvement Act and other Congressional efforts to reduce visa delays as part of its ongoing advocacy on this important policy priority for the business events sector.
“ECA strongly encourages [Congress] to take action on this important legislation by the end of the year to help address these ongoing delays and ensure that they never happen again,” said ECA Vice President Tommy Goodwin.
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Partner Voices
Every day, MGM Resorts hosts organizations and individuals from around the world with a diverse array of business purposes, needs and expectations. But they all have one thing in common—a host committed to making their meetings sustainable and unforgettable through close partnership and responsible meeting practices.
Harnessing the Sun
Meetings at MGM Resorts are predominantly powered by the sun, thanks to its innovative 100-megawatt solar array. As the largest directly sourced renewable electricity project in the hospitality industry, the solar array features 323,000 panels and produces up to 100% of MGM Resorts’ daytime power needs in Las Vegas.* Built in 2021, the solar array reduces the carbon footprint of meetings—and all of MGM Resorts—while still delivering an enlightening and electrifying guest experience.
Leading Water Stewardship
Knowing water is essential to operations, guests and employees, MGM Resorts has long employed various conservation measures and has doubled down on its commitment in recent years to become a leading corporate water steward. In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate, a United National Global Compact, becoming the first gaming company to endorse the initiative. The company replaced more than 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas and pledged to reduce water use by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030. Between 2007 and 2022, MGM Resorts saved more than 6 billion gallons of water through water conservation.
Fostering Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
MGM Resorts serves a world of diverse people, perspectives and experiences by cultivating a workforce culture that embraces all of humanity. From mindful recruitment and hiring practices to meaningful social responsibility initiatives, MGM Resorts is a welcoming and inclusive space for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members and more. The company’s commitment to supplier diversity drives innovation by extending competitive opportunities to local and diverse-owned suppliers, while the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program provides diverse-owned businesses tools and resources to enhance and grow their businesses.
Paying it Forward
MGM Resorts knows that great companies must serve the greater good. That’s why paying it forward is part of its approach to meetings and events. Through the Feeding Forward Program, MGM Resorts collects and preserves unserved and untouched food from conventions held at its properties, then safely donates to food-insecure people through a partnership with Three Square, Southern Nevada’s primary food bank. Since 2016, MGM Resorts has donated more than 3.7 million meals, with a goal of 5 million meal donations by 2025. Donations include unserved perishable prepared foods from events, perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens and nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses.
From world-class venues and experiences to industry leading responsible meeting practices, MGM Resorts is proud to host meaningful and sustainable events.
*Not including The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
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