This event will bring together industry leaders and advocates from across the US and around the world to meet with members of Congress and congressional staff in support of ECA’s 2026 public policy priorities. Last year, 170 industry stakeholders from 30 states joined ECA to engage with federal policymakers, and for cross-industry networking opportunities.
Destinations International has announced the contract extension of President & CEO Don Welsh through December 31, 2027. “Don’s leadership continues to be a tremendous asset to Destinations International and the global destination organization community,” said Leslie Bruce, CDME, chair of the DI Board of Directors and president & CEO of Banff & Lake Louise Tourism…
Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance has announced that its annual Legislative Action Day will take place on 28 May, in Washington, D.C., bringing together industry leaders and advocates from across the U.S. and around the world on Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress and congressional staff in support of ECA’s 2026 public policy priorities.
VP of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), Tommy Goodwin, emphasises the importance of effective advocacy in supporting industry recognition, regulation, capacity building, and fiscal support from government. But Goodwin believes that success is best delivered in partnership and collaboration between industry organisations and individuals across the industry and illustrated by ECA’s success securing the…
From Skift Meetings: ICE-related shootings and protests in Minnesota have triggered hotel closures, event cancellations, and attendance declines, forcing planners to weigh safety, attendee sentiment, and economic impact when deciding whether to proceed. The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent on January 24 has intensified unrest in Minneapolis…
IAPCO and PCMA have formalised a strategic collaboration through the signing of an MOU at PCMA Convening Leaders 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The agreement strengthens cooperation across thought leadership, professional education, research, and emerging leader engagement within the global business events industry, establishing a structured framework for collaboration between the two global organisations.
This summary report of highlights from the recent PCMA Convening Leaders event in Philadelphia, the city where PCMA was first founded in 1956, 70 years ago: Convening Leaders 2026 delivered a powerful celebration of leadership, legacy, and the future of business events—bringing together the global community at a moment of reflection and renewal.
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the unified public policy voice of the U.S. business and professional events industry, today announced its 2026 Elected Officers and Board of Directors. The following Elected Officers were selected by the ECA Board of Directors to serve a one-year term ending on December 31, 2026: Fernando Fischer (Chair), President,…
The Events Industry Council (EIC) today announced the election of officers and directors to its 2026 Board of Directors. The EIC Board brings together senior leaders from across the global business events ecosystem and serves as the governing body of the Council, providing fiscal oversight and strategic direction for all EIC programmes and initiatives.
Gathering Point’s David Adler explains how media-hosted events became the most lucrative — and least examined — marketplace for public advocacy. And what is true for the USA will almost certainly be the case in other arenas of policymaking influence, from the EU to Asia-Pacific.
US withdrawal from over 60 international organisations (with many more still under review) has huge ramifications for American participation in and funding support for numerous international conferences around the world, and is also likely to significantly damage the US’s ability to attract and host any international conferences in related fields. From CNN…
From AMI, by James Lancaster: The US military’s blitzkrieg against the Venezuelan government and the arrest of its leader, the dictator Nicolás Maduro, was the most dramatic moment so far in Trump the Sequel – but, despite the action likely contravening international law, it is unlikely to have much effect on whether or not international…
Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance, a unified public policy voice of the US business and professional events industry, has announced its 2026 Public Policy Agenda, outlining the organisation’s federal and state policy priorities for the year ahead. “2026 presents a critical moment for our industry in Washington, DC, and beyond,” said Fernando Fischer…
U.S. Travel Association issued a statement following the proposed changes to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application: “We are deeply concerned by the recent announcement by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that it may seek social media history from Visa Waiver Program travelers to the United States. And without more detail from…
A new U.S. Travel–Ipsos poll shows Americans fear the United States is falling behind other countries in delivering a modern, efficient travel experience. Congress can make immediate progress by returning billions of dollars from the the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee — a charge added to every airline ticket that is supposed to fund TSA operations…
The latest survey results show that unanticipated government actions are the biggest threat to meetings. Planner sentiment is trending downward again: Forty-four percent of planners are less optimistic than they were six months ago. Compression has eased and RFP responses have improved, though planner concerns over costs and contract terms have increased.
Destination DC’s Melissa Riley argues for the continued positive interrelationship between leisure tourism and business events, and that bed-nights will continue to be the dominant KPI for destination organisations in the US, funded as they are primarily by bed tax. However, her organisation is increasingly targeting events based on policy priorities of the DC district…
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Everything you wanted to know about how US policymaking influences business events, and how to participate in campaigns designed to nudge policy in the right direction. Every other Friday, the ECA Advocacy Update email newsletter shares the latest advocacy news from Washington, DC and beyond on the public policy issues that matter to the industry.
This inaugural, invite-only business and professional events Global Policy Forum is a collaborative initiative between ECA, UFI – the Global Association for the Exhibition Industry, and MAD Event Management. The focus will be on key public policy issues shaping events around the world, including: sustainability; talent; and international travel and commerce. From ECA…
At IMEX, the free professional education program includes 150+ in-depth seminars, hands-on workshops and specialist forums at each show, covering a wide range of industry insights, trends, and best practices. Spark your imagination at groundbreaking keynotes, soak up fresh ideas from experts and innovators, keep up with the latest event tech, polish your professional skills.
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