In pursuit of expanding economic growth and providing tools to effectively aid in job prosperity, the Exhibitions & Conference Alliance (ECA) released its Public Policy Agenda for 2023 revealing four key areas of focus.
- Ensure a favorable operating environment for the industry going forward
- Fully welcome international exhibitors and attendees back to the U.S.
- Support industry efforts to address sustainability and climate change
- Promote government involvement in developing the industry’s future workforce
Hervé Sedky, Emerald Holding Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the ECA board of directors said: “As the unified advocacy voice of the face-to-face business events industry, ECA’s 2023 public policy priorities serve as our industry’s North Star as we continue to engage with policymakers to help drive economic growth, support job creation, and empower small businesses from coast to coast.”
The ECA Board of Directions further divulged the top areas of concern for the coming year:
- Prevent anti-growth state-level taxation of the industry
- Bring back communicable disease coverage to event cancellation insurance
- Restore visa operations to pre-pandemic levels while making visa processing more modern and efficient
- Encourage smart decarbonization efforts by governments while ensuring the right balance between environmental aims and industry feasibility
- Support government policy and programs to attract, train, and retain the industry’s next generation of workforce
“ECA will be actively engaged on the issues that matter to the industry in 2023,” said Vinnie Polito, Society of Independent Show Organizers Chief Executive Officer and ECA Co-President. “From working on the restoration of visa processing at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world to fighting back against efforts to introduce growth-stifling taxes on our industry, ECA will be front and center to champion our interests with elected and appointed officials in Washington, DC and beyond.”
Continuous Efforts
We will continue to see the ECA support small business growth, lift travel bans, advocate for federal relief programs nationwide, and more as the year progresses.
David DuBois, International Association of Exhibitions and Events president and Chief Executive Officer and ECA co-president said: “In 2023, we look forward to amplifying the voice of our industry’s many passionate advocates in the policymaking process, including at ECA Legislative Action Day, which will return to Washington, DC in person on June 1, 2023.”
View the ECA’s 2023 Public Policy priorities here.