Turning a major spotlight onto the value of meetings, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events will launch of the first-ever Exhibitions Day.

The two-day event will be an industry-wide effort to educate federal legislators, helping them to understand the impact of regulatory decisions on the exhibitions and events industry, according to IAEE officials.  

On tap June 16-17, Exhibitions Day will be in Washington, D.C. and was developed in collaboration with multiple industry organizations who have come together to develop and support this critical initiative to ensure members' voices are heard by legislators.

These organizations include the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, Exhibit Designers and Producers Association, Exhibition Services & Contractors Association, International Association of Venue Managers and the U.S. Travel Association.

Additionally, industry media partners who will support the event include Expo Magazine, Trade Show Executive and TSNN.

"This is an important new move into the world of advocacy for IAEE and a great opportunity for members to exercise their right to participate in the political process," said IAEE Chairperson Skip Cox. "With the involvement and support of industry members, our elected officials will come to understand what is at stake for our industry and the economy we support."

The exhibitions and events industry has seen incremental growth since the latest recession, according to CEIR, and contributes more than $115 billion directly to the U.S. GDP.

Industry leaders will meet with key media outlets to promote the value of our industry addressing today's key issues, and attendees will focus on the following issues with legislators:

    JOLT Act – Jobs Originated through Launching Travel Act is a bipartisan issue that would leverage the benefits of inbound international travel to the United States to increase economic growth, create more jobs, generate additional tax revenue and boost U.S. exports. Restrictions on travel and foreign participation are hurting exhibitions and events. As a result, these challenges contribute to driving both foreign and domestic audiences directly to more traveler-friendly events outside of the U.S.

    Visa Waiver Program – The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less, when they meet certain requirements. In accepting more countries into the program, the U.S. not only fosters better diplomatic relationships, but increases trade and tangentially boosts economic growth.

    Government employee participation – Government employee participation at events is undeniably valuable to both attendees and exhibitors because it fosters the development of effective regulation, contributes to innovation that drives economic growth, and provides unique learning and training opportunities.

"Exhibitions and events industry professionals recognize the potential threat to our industry and the economy if restrictions to these programs continue, which is why it is critical for us to engage directly with lawmakers on Exhibitions Day 2014,” said IAEE President and CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA.

Chairing the 2014 event are National Association of Broadcasters Executive Vice President, Conventions & Business Operations Chris Brown and Association of Equipment Manufacturers Vice President of Exhibitions & Events Megan Tanel.