ECA looks forward to bipartisan collaboration, urges Congress to permanently block harmful OMB grant proposal during lame-duck session.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the public policy voice of the U.S. business and professional events industry, today congratulated the winners of the 2026 midterm elections and reaffirmed its commitment to working with policymakers on both sides of the aisle to advance policies that help the industry drive economic growth, create new jobs, and empower U.S. small businesses.
“On behalf of the entire industry, congratulations to the newly elected and reelected members of Congress,” said Fernando Fischer, Chair of the ECA Board of Directors. “We look forward to working with members of both parties to advance policies that strengthen our collective ability to support U.S. small businesses, entrepreneurs, mission-driven organizations, and communities alike.”
Across the country, the business and professional events industry employs 2.6 million Americans and drives more than $400 billion in direct spending annually. ECA champions public policies that help the industry drive employment, reduce economic uncertainty, safeguard affordability for small businesses and those we serve, and ensure that the U.S. remains the premier global destination for events of all types.
While ECA looks forward to working with the 120th Congress in 2027, the upcoming lame-duck session of Congress presents lawmakers an immediate opportunity to support the industry.
ECA is urging Congress to take immediate action to permanently block proposed changes to federal grant rules from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB). OMB’s proposal includes restrictions on conference attendance and changes to event security protocols that would significantly harm events and the venues that host them nationwide. The current stopgap federal spending bill restricts OMB from finalizing its proposed changes, but that protection expires December 11.
“Congress doesn’t have to wait until January to make a real difference for our industry,” said Tommy Goodwin, ECA’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “OMB’s proposed changes are creating unnecessary uncertainty as event organizers, planners, exhibitors, venues, and attendees get ready for 2027. When Congress returns to Washington, D.C., it should protect conference access and safeguard venue security by putting a stop to this misguided proposal once and for all.”
In the coming days, ECA will provide industry leaders and advocates with the opportunity to share their perspectives directly with members of Congress on this important issue.
About the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance:
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) is a coalition of leading associations comprising the public policy voice of the U.S. business and professional events industry.
ECA’s member associations include:
- Consumer Technology Association (CTA)
- Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA)
- Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA)
- International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE)
- International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM)
- International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)
- PCMA
- Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO)
- UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry
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