On September 16, 2026, Destinations International (DI), the world’s leading association representing destination organizations and convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), will bring together destination leaders, public officials, policy experts and industry partners for its second global Virtual Advocacy Day, a must-attend global program designed to help destination professionals navigate this increasingly complex environment.
ECA is actively opposing and coordinating an industry-wide response to a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposal that would prevent exhibitors from importing, displaying, and demonstrating certain new and emerging communications technologies at U.S. events and tradeshows before those products have received final FCC authorization.
ECA is introducing the Connections Series, to facilitate year-round insight and opinion-sharing, using Natter’s conversational intelligence engine, business events industry leaders are matched one-on-one with each other for a series of short, candid, (confidential!) virtual conversations on issues impacting the industry. The program is available to ECA member associations, partners, and other invited industry leaders.
ECA, the public policy voice of the US business events industry, has launched the ECA Ambassadors Circle, designed to recognise, empower and engage the industry’s most committed advocates. The programme will provide a select group of industry leaders with specialised year-round programming, advanced advocacy training and new opportunities to help amplify the industry’s voice.
The ICCA Nordics Chapter Meeting 2027 will be taking place in the Faroe Islands on 15-17 March 2027. This conference invites you to an energizing experience filled with inspiration, knowledge sharing, and meaningful networking. Stay tuned for more exciting news about the event!
Join Destinations International for a global virtual experience designed to equip leaders, partners and stakeholders with the tools and insights to advocate more effectively. This event is aimed at destination organisation leaders & teams, board members, public sector stakeholders, private sector partners and community leaders. We encourage attending as a team and inviting key partners.
Destinations International’s advocacy team has put together resources to help destinations pivot their stakeholder messaging to one centered around the organization’s true customer: the resident. Take a look at videos, case studies, lexicons and more information that will help you communicate the value of your organization to your entire community.
‘Influence Architecture: The 15 Laws of How Washington Actually Works: A Field Guide for the Leaders Who Pay for Outcomes.’ ECA’s Tommy Goodwin strongly recommends this new book written by Austin O’Boyle as an essential guide for anyone in the Business Events sector whose organisation is planning or participating in a US advocacy campaign.
Effective advocacy requires access to accurate information and this inaugural report, “Strength Beneath the Surface,” was designed with a primary goal: To provide a loud and clearer voice for group travel, one that cuts through the noise and misperceptions, especially after a challenging 2025. In short: there is much evidence of resilience and optimism.
IAPCO’s “Dear Associations” campaign ensures that leaders from the worlds of healthcare, science, technology, trade and academia are the faces and voices that can best influence policymakers in destinations worldwide to truly understand the impact and value of association meetings. Leading PCOs describe why this issue is so critical and what needs to change for…
A focused, global virtual experience that expands advocacy beyond government relations—bringing together destination leaders, boards, partners, and community stakeholders. Gain practical tools, shared language and clear next steps to strengthen advocacy in your destination. Advocacy is now essential for securing funding and support, aligning stakeholders and communicating impact beyond tourism…
This first-of-its-kind global event will take place May 13, 2026, designed to expand advocacy beyond government relations to empower stakeholders across the destination ecosystem, and redefine how the industry approaches advocacy by convening destination leaders, board members, public officials, private sector partners and community stakeholders for a dynamic, interactive experience spanning multiple global time zones.
ECA announces a new era of advocacy, engagement and growth with a range of new tools, services and activities, and names Tommy Goodwin as President and CEO. Building on ECA’s success over the past five years, ECA 2.0 represents the next phase of growth as ECA deepens its advocacy work, and introduces new opportunities…
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.
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.
Industry leaders gathered in Barcelona during 2025 IBTM World to address key advocacy issues facing the industry, and to identify what collective actions could be taken at high-level and what work needs to be done at the local level where business event impacts are most visible and relevant to policymakers and other place leaders.
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…
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…
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.
The inaugural Advocacy & Action event will unite and reimagine two of DI’s most dynamic gatherings into one event dedicated to advancing purpose-driven destination leadership. “Advocacy & Action brings together the full spectrum of what destination organisations stand for — community resilience, brand stewardship, leadership and impact,” said Don Welsh, DI President & CEO.
Thoughts & Observations is a weekly newsletter by Kai Hattendorf. It shares updates, reflections, and analyses on the business events and exhibitions industry, covering topics ranging from market trends to industry practices and emerging developments. Each edition provides a concise summary of recent news, data, and professional insights relevant to event organizers and stakeholders.
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