Make Your Voice Heard On Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance’s Legislative Action Day

May 17, 2021

It’s safe to say that most of us in the trade show and meetings industry know someone whose job was affected by the pandemic. After all, the events industry was one of the first to shut down when COVID-19 took hold in the U.S., and will be one of the last to fully reopen. The need for immediate action is great; according to recent travel, hospitality and trade show industry reports, 65% of all lost American jobs came from the travel and hospitality industries, with 2020 seeing an almost 80% decline in exhibitions. 

To help get the industry back to business and restore those lost jobs, the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance has launched a grassroots campaign to empower event organizers, vendors, venues, destination marketing organizations, exhibiting companies and more to advocate for the survival of the events industry: the 2021 Legislative Action Day

Set for June 1-2, the event’s focus will be the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act, which provides comprehensive relief and recovery measures for the convention, trade show, entertainment, travel and hospitality industries and its workers. 

The bill aims to add 1.5 million jobs back to the economy and shorten the timeline for recovery and rehiring (from five to three years). Specifically, Section 2 of the bill helps bring jobs back by providing recovery measures for the convention and trade show industries and their workers through restart credits.

To learn more about what HCJRA means to the business events industry, visit the ECA site to hear from Herve Sedky, CEO of Emerald Events and chair of the ECA, and Tommy Goodwin, vice president of government affairs for ECA.

Whether you’re new to advocacy or a seasoned pro, all industry members are invited to participate in these important meetings. Here’s what you can expect:

  •  On June 1, the ECA will host a program designed to give event industry members the tools needed to effectively advocate on behalf of the industry, including who to contact, how to contact and what to say. 
  •  On June 2, participants will break into smaller groups for in-depth video conferences with key legislators. Each group will have designated spokespeople and training will be provided. 

 The free program will be hosted online and is open to all. Register here by May 21. 

Once registered, a scheduler from DC Flyins will arrange meetings based on each person’s needs. Those already signed up are encouraged to share with colleagues and encourage their participation, as the goal is to create one strong, unified voice that legislators will hear loud and clear.

Don’t miss this important opportunity to make your voice count and help ensure the future of our beloved industry – register today! 

For more details about the ECA, go 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