Support the Business Events Industry by Joining the 2022 Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance’s Legislative Action Week!

May 10, 2022

As the trade show and meetings industry continues its emergence from the pandemic, this year’s Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance’s (ECA) signature ECA Legislative Action Week couldn’t be a more important and urgent one for event professionals to consider attending.  

Set for June 6-10, the week-long virtual event will converge face-to-face business events industry advocates to meet with their members of Congress about the vital role that exhibitions and conferences play in helping communities across the U.S. recover from the devastating economic and employment impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to ECA officials.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, advocacy has to be part of the DNA of the industry going forward,” asserted David Audrain, CEO of the Society of Independent Show Organizers and co-president of the ECA, a coalition of nine professional, industry and labor organizations dedicated to the recovery and advancement of the face-to-face business events industry. 

He continued, “ECA Legislative Action Week is an important opportunity for all of us across the industry to come together to make our voices heard on Capitol Hill.” 

According to ECA officials, prior to the pandemic, face-to-face business events supported 6.6 million jobs nationwide and contributed $396 billion annually to U.S. gross domestic product. However, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) found that total B2B event activity in 2021 was still 57.5% below pre-pandemic levels, an ongoing decline that has been particularly hard on small businesses, which are the driving force behind conventions and trade shows across the U.S. Ninety-nine percent of all business events companies and 80% of all exhibitors are small businesses, they added. 

“Exhibitions and conferences make a tremendous impact on our communities and the U.S. economy more broadly,” said David DuBois, president and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and co-president of the ECA. “What elected officials in Washington, D.C., do in the weeks and months ahead will directly impact the industry and our recovery, which, in turn, impacts the communities in which we work and live.”

This year’s ECA Legislative Action Week will focus on the vital steps that Congress can take to help get the exhibitions and conferences industry back to business, including providing financial relief to small businesses, restoring communicable disease coverage to event cancellation insurance and supporting the full restoration of visa processing at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world.  

On June 6, the ECA will host a preview session featuring a policy issues overview and interviews with key policy-makers and industry leaders, while virtual congressional meetings will take place June 7-10. Those interested in participating will be asked to indicate which days they are available for meetings during the registration process.

“As we continue along the road to recovery, advocacy has never been more important or urgent for all of us involved with face-to-face business events,” said Tommy Goodwin, vice president of government relations for the ECA. “That’s why we are inviting everyone across the industry to join us for ECA Legislative Action Week and tell the story of the impact their work has on economic recovery, jobs and supporting small businesses nationwide.” 

Join your fellow event industry professionals in advocating for the business events industry by registering for the 2022 ECA Legislative Action Week here!


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Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact