WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the unified public policy voice of the U.S. business and professional events industry, today announced its 2026 Public Policy Agenda, which outlines the organization’s federal and state policy priorities for the year ahead.
“2026 presents a critical moment for our industry in Washington, D.C., and beyond,” said Fernando Fischer, Chair of the ECA Board of Directors and President, Americas for RX. “The policy decisions made this year will directly affect our collective ability to create new jobs, reduce economic uncertainty, safeguard affordability for our small businesses and those we serve, and strengthen U.S. competitiveness.”
ECA’s 2026 Public Policy Agenda supports policies that will strengthen the industry in six critical issue areas:
- Trade and tariffs: ECA supports trade policies that preserve affordability and reduce uncertainty for the industry and its customers.
- International travel: ECA supports policies that lower barriers to attracting international exhibitors, attendees, and buyers, including reducing visa wait times, modernizing visa processing, and eliminating unnecessary fees and overly restrictive policies that deter travel to the U.S. for events.
- Taxes: ECA supports federal, state, and local tax policies that enhance industry competitiveness while opposing measures that disproportionately harm the U.S. business and professional events ecosystem.
- Workforce development: ECA supports policies that strengthen the industry’s ability to recruit, train, and retain its next-generation workforce.
- Sustainability: ECA supports common-sense policies and industry-led efforts that help ensure the industry maintains control of its path to Net Zero.
- Operating environment: ECA supports a competitive, predictable policy environment that supports innovation and growth throughout the industry.
“As a global industry, exhibitions and conferences depend on the free flow of people, goods, and ideas,” said Mark Bogdansky, Vice Chair of ECA and Vice President, Trade Shows & Community Engagement for the Auto Care Association. “Reducing barriers to international travel and trade is essential to maintaining the United States’ position as the premier global destination for business and professional events. ECA will continue to champion policies that welcome international stakeholders and grow the industry’s impact in states and communities nationwide.”
“Our industry’s success depends on having the right people and the right policies in place,” said Chris Griffin, Treasurer of ECA and President & CEO of Crew XP. “In 2026, ECA will prioritize workforce development initiatives that help attract and train new skilled workers, while also advocating for tax policies that support investment, innovation, and long-term stability for our industry and its many small businesses.”
Throughout 2026, ECA will provide opportunities for industry leaders and advocates across the industry to make their voices heard through the ECA Advocacy Network and on ECA Legislative Action Day.
“Advocacy is most effective when industry leaders show up and share their stories directly with policymakers,” said Hervé Sedky, Secretary of ECA and President & Chief Executive Officer of Emerald. “ECA’s agenda is a call to action for leaders across the U.S. business and professional events ecosystem to get involved, engage with elected and appointed officials, and help shape policies that impact our industry and the communities we serve from coast to coast.”
ECA’s 2026 Public Policy Agenda can be viewed here.
About the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance:
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) is a coalition of leading associations comprising the unified public policy voice of the U.S. business and professional events industry. To learn more about ECA and its work to advance the interests of the industry, please visit https://www.exhibitionsconferencesalliance.org/.
ECA’s member associations include:
- 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
submitted by Tommy Goodwin, ECA
