On May 29, 2026, the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and MAD Event Management today hosted the inaugural Global Policy Forum in Washington, D.C.
This invitation-only forum brought together leaders from across the global business and professional events industry, public policy experts, diplomats, and other key stakeholders for a focused dialogue on key cross-border policy issues shaping the future of exhibitions, meetings, conventions, tradeshows, conferences, and more.
“Many of the policy issues that are critical to the future of our industry are global in nature, and they require global solutions,” said Tommy Goodwin, President and Chief Executive Officer of ECA. “Today’s conversations highlighted the importance of surfacing forward-looking ideas and best practices from around the world to inform policymakers who in Washington, D.C., and capitals around the world who will impact the direction of our industry in the months and years ahead.”
The Global Policy Forum program focused on two key topics with significant implications for business and professional events taking place across the globe: trade and tariffs, with an emphasis on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and sustainability.
As part of the program, 24 international business, policy, and media experts examined current transnational and multilateral challenges and explored how better cooperation, alignment, and constructive public sector engagement across borders can enable the industry’s next phase of global growth.
- Melissa Arnott, President, Canadian Association of Exposition Management
- Carina Bauer, Chief Executive Officer, IMEX Group
- Ed Brzytwa, Vice President of International Trade, Consumer Technology Association
- Shawn Cheng, Regional Director, North America, International Congress and Convention Association
- Martha Donato, Founder & President, MAD Event Management
- Alexandra Failla, Corporate Sustainability Manager, Diversified Communications
- Marsha Flanagan, President & Chief Executive Officer, International Association of Exhibitions and Events
- Marty Glynn, Chief Executive Officer & Partner, MAD Event Management
- Tommy Goodwin, President & Chief Executive Officer, ECA
- J. Brady Howell, Senior Policy Advisor, Brownstein Hyatt Faber Schreck
- Andy Karellas, Executive Director, State International Development Organizations
- Joyce Leveston, Chief Executive Officer, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
- Adrian Lopez Ruiz, Managing Director, Informa Markets Mexico
- Richard Perkins, President & Chief Executive Officer, The Perkins Company
- Janice Rogers, Chief People Officer, Diversified Communications
- Maddy Ryley, Managing Editor, Trade Show Executive
- Hervé Sedky, President & Chief Executive Officer, Emerald Holding, Inc.
- Chris Skeith OBE, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, UFI
- Dennis Smith, President & Chief Executive Officer, NürnbergMesse North America
- Iain Stirling, International Portfolio Director, Mash Media
- Phil Stone, Partner, Plural Strategy
- Sasha Sutcliffe-Stephenson, President, SSS Public Affairs
- Tracy Tolk, Policy Director, Brownstein Hyatt Faber Schreck
- Danica Tormohlen, Vice President of Group Content, Informa Markets
“UFI was proud to support the Global Policy Forum as an important convening of event industry leaders and policy stakeholders from across the globe,” said Chris Skeith OBE, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of UFI. “The discussions reinforced the critical role that exhibitions, tradeshows, and conferences play in driving economic growth, innovation and international collaboration. North America represents one of the largest and most influential markets for our industry worldwide, and gatherings like this help advance UFI’s global advocacy efforts by strengthening engagement with policymakers and industry leaders across the region.”
The Global Policy Forum followed ECA Legislative Action Day 2026, which brought industry leaders and advocates to Capitol Hill the prior day for meetings with Members of Congress. Together, the two events underscored the vital importance of policy engagement for a global industry that drives commerce, creates jobs, connects markets, and helps solve urgent societal challenges around the world.
