Inside Legislative Action Day 2024: 130+ Advocate for Exhibitions on Capitol Hill

June 3, 2024

A record number of business events industry leaders met with policymakers on Capitol Hill on Thurs., May 30 as part of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) annual Legislative Action Day. More than 130 advocates from 25 states raised awareness about the U.S. business events industry, which employs 2.6 million Americans and drives $399 billion in direct spending annually.

Armed with data on economic impact of business events by state, participants discussed key issues impacting the trade show, meetings and events industry during 112 meetings with senators, House representatives and their staff. Legislative Action Day attendees represented all sectors of the business events industry — from independent and association show organizers and venues, to general service contractors and destinations.

Here’s what you need to know about this year’s Legislative Action Day.

Big picture: This year’s Legislative Action Day focused on two of ECA’s top public policy priorities: helping the industry attract and train its next generation workforce and further reducing visa wait times for international exhibitors and attendees looking to come to U.S. exhibitions, conferences and trade shows.

Why it mattered: “Today was the largest gathering of the industry on Capitol Hill ever,” said Vinnie Polito, ECA’s co-president and Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) CEO. “As we have seen in recent months, when our industry shows up and advocates together with one voice, we can drive policy change that positively impacts all of us going forward.”

How it worked: “From expanding access to programs that will help develop the industry’s future workforce to restoring visa interview wait times to pre-pandemic levels, ECA’s policy priorities have broad bipartisan support,” said Marsha Flanagan, ECA co-president and International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) president and CEO. “That’s why we are calling on Congress to take action this year on these issues that will strengthen our industry’s collective ability to drive economic growth, support job creation and empower small businesses.”

tommy — ECA's Tommy Goodwin briefed Legislative Action Day participants on the key issues to address before sending them off to their scheduled meetings with Senators and House Representatives. Photo: ECA

What they’re saying: “Whether you are on Capitol Hill, on the show floor or even on your phone, ECA invites you to be an advocate for the business events industry,” said ECA Vice President Tommy Goodwin. “Together, we can be the strong, unified advocacy voice of the industry and shape our future with policymakers nationwide.”

Looking back: Last year’s Legislative Action Day drew nearly 100 industry leaders from 24 states — including representatives from independent and association show organizers, exhibiting organizations, venues and destinations. During more than 100 meetings, Legislative Action Day attendees advocated three key issues: Reducing visitor visa interview wait times; helping to build the future skilled workforce; and supporting efforts to stop business impersonation fraud.

Backstory: Established in 2021 during the pandemic, ECA is a coalition of professional, industry and labor associations that comprise the unified advocacy voice of the business events industry. In May, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) joined ECA as its newest alliance partner, bringing the total to nine industry organizations that support ECA.

Deeper dive: In addition to IAEE, SISO and ICCA, ECA's partners include Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA), Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA), International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Trade Show Labor Alliance and UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.

Looking ahead: ECA has opportunities for industry leaders and advocates to stay engaged on the policy issues that matter year round. Next year’s Legislative Action Day will be held Thurs., May 29, 2025, in conjunction with the Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum, which will be held Wed., May 28, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.

Main image: Industry leaders participate in the ECA's Legislative Action Day on May 30. Photo: ECA

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