Business events are increasingly recognised as critical platforms for industry-wide advocacy and long-term impact. As government action more frequently intersects with various sectors, organisations must ensure their collective voice is heard. Tommy Goodwin, President & CEO of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), highlights this reality by quoting an old saying in DC: “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.”
To secure that seat, ECA unites the industry’s best advocates from across the country to engage directly with policymakers. By maintaining message discipline and aligning multiple stakeholders—such as coordinating over 80 organisations for a unified response to a proposed Federal Communications Commission rule—the industry can effectively move policy. Goodwin also emphasises a critical shift in perspective: resources channelled into convention bureaus and business events should be viewed not as funding, but as high-yield investments that encourage the growth and development of host cities by bringing together business, government, and social sector leaders.
Tommy Goodwin emphasises the strategic necessity of a unified industry voice and why financial support for business events should be viewed as a vital community investment
The mechanics of executing this kind of impactful advocacy were further explored in a panel discussion moderated by Kyle Hayes, Senior Director of Public Policy at ASAE. Joined by Goodwin and Torey Carter-Conneen, CEO of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the group dissected how associations are cutting through the noise of AI-generated content and social media to serve as trusted, expert resources for lawmakers. The conversation highlighted the rising importance of coalition-building and the irreplaceable value of bringing elected officials out of their offices to experience an industry’s impact first-hand—whether by bringing a mayor to tour a chaotic trade show floor during move-in, or taking a legislator to a public plaza to see green infrastructure in action.
Tommy Goodwin, Torey Carter-Conneen, and Kyle Hayes share actionable strategies for navigating complex policy landscapes, highlighting the power of coalition-building and experiential, face-to-face engagement with policymakers
Ultimately, the true legacy of a business event extends far beyond its educational sessions and networking opportunities. As the panellists noted, the most compelling lobbyists are often an association’s own members, whose personal stories and localised data resonate deeply with the lawmakers who represent them. By prioritising face-to-face advocacy, fostering long-term relationships that begin at the state level, and leveraging the unique density of decision-makers found in Washington, DC, organisations can ensure their events leave a permanent, positive mark on both public policy and the communities they serve.
