Tommy Goodwin is Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), an association dedicated to the advancement of the business events industry. He leads ECA’s advocacy and member engagement work on behalf of the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, show and event organizers, suppliers, venues and destinations that comprise the global business events landscape.
On May 30, the largest group of trade show industry leaders and advocates ever met with policymakers from 25 states on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC for ECA Legislative Action Day.
While the industry has been gathering on Capitol Hill since 2014, momentum has been growing in recent years as the industry continues to embrace the importance of advocacy to our ability to drive economic growth, support job creation, and support small businesses into the future.
The late Senator Mike Enzi famously observed, “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.”
As the pandemic laid bare, government policies have an outsized impact on our industry. For a sector that will employ 2.6 million people and drive $399 billion in direct spending this year, it is critical that we are at the table to educate policymakers about ways they can support our efforts going forward.
While that’s what ECA does every day, Legislative Action Day brings together industry leaders and advocates from across the country to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill.
This year, Legislative Action Day focused on two key policy issues: reducing visa wait times and increasing workforce development opportunities.
Why? Both issues impact every aspect of the trade show industry.
Did you know that the average international attendee at a U.S. business event spends $11,600, and the average international exhibitor spends $36,100?
Ongoing visa delays deprive local communities of that spending. They also lead to smaller overall shows, which means reduced international pavilions, fewer booth builds, less labor hours required, and more.
That’s why visa processing reforms were front and center at Legislative Action Day.
At the same time, our industry continues to feel the impact of skilled workforce shortages. From setup and teardown to freight movement to exhibit construction and beyond, hard-working skilled men and women are the backbone of the trade show ecosystem.
Legislative Action Day attendees told members of Congress that we need them to expand Pell Grant program eligibility and allowable 529 plan expenses to help grow the pool of Americans with the skills and training needed to have great careers in our industry.
While policy change takes time, the efforts by Legislative Action Day advocates have already paid off.
Earlier this month, a House of Representatives committee voted for a bill that would allow 529 plans to cover tuition, exam, and training costs associated with obtaining workforce certifications and licenses. This will turn 529 plans from college savings plans to career savings plans.
But what do attendees say about their time on Capitol Hill?
Gina Porcaro from Classic Exhibits said, “At the end of the day, we felt that our requests were heard and considered. And that [members of Congress] would work to implement them. It was pretty amazing!”
Noelle Webster from Willwork Global event services agreed. “I can honestly say I’ve never felt more fulfilled or invigorated after spending the day on Capitol Hill advocating for our industry,” she said, “It was my first time participating in person for Legislative Action Day, and it most definitely won’t be my last.”
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