The Exhibitions Mean Business campaign will hold its fifth annual Exhibitions Day on Capitol Hill on June 5-6 to champion the impact that the exhibitions industry has upon the U.S. economy. According to new information obtained by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, events contributed $91 billion to the U.S. GDP in 2017, approximately a $10 billion increase from what was previously reported.
“Recent data shows the economic contribution of events, which includes direct spending of organizers, exhibitors, attendees and venues, totaled $91 billion in 2017,” says Allen Shaw, chief economist for Global Economic Consulting Associates, Inc. “This notable increase from previous records further emphasizes the importance of face-to-face connections in conducting business.”
Tradeshows, conventions and other face-to-face gatherings are major commerce platforms that play a vital role in the health of the American economy. Exhibitions Day, the industry’s annual event on Capitol Hill, brings together professionals from across the country to educate members of Congress about the power of events and address issues that are affecting the health and growth of these trade channels.
Topics set to be discussed at Exhibitions Day 2018 include Online Booking Scams, Safety and Security, Travel Facilitation and Infrastructure Investment. The talks are set to focus on education about the issues and real world solutions, including encouraging lawmakers to vote in favor of new laws that would address some of the issues.
“Exhibitions Day is an invaluable forum to meet face-to-face with members of Congress and discuss important matters that strain our industry, and as a result, impact local economies,” says CEO and president of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, David DuBois. “It is our responsibility to equip our nation’s leaders with the knowledge needed to shape our country to better facilitate domestic and international business deals.”
Exhibitions Day was established in 2013 to serve as a platform to engage in uninterrupted, one-on-one dialogue with federal legislators and other people who influence policy. Over the years, hundreds of people have joined the Exhibitions Mean Business campaign on Capitol Hill to hold these informational and educational conversations.
Sponsors of Exhibitions Day include Trade Show Executive magazine, Streampoint Solutions and Convention and Event Transportation Management. Supporting organizations include the American Society of Association Executives, Canadian Association of Exposition Management, Center for Exhibition Industry Research, Corporate Event Marketing Association, Destinations International, Events Industry Council, Experiential Designers + Producers Association, Exhibition Services & Contractors Association, Exhibitor magazine, GES, International Association of Venue Managers, MATSO Council, Meetings Mean Business, Meeting Professionals International, Professional Convention Management Association, Society of Independent Show Organizers, Trade Show News Network, Union of International Fairs, and U.S. Travel Association.
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events, Exhibitions Mean Business was created in 2011 to unify and give a collective voice to the exhibitions and events industry and better advocate the benefits of face-to-face meetings to business growth and economic development. Driven by members of the industry, including professional associations, venue and convention center operators, exhibitions-focused service providers, convention and visitors bureaus and other travel and tourism organizations, EMB promotes the values of the industry through strategic advocacy campaigns, media relations efforts and stakeholder engagement initiatives. For more info, visit exhibitionsmeanbusiness.com
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research serves to advance the growth, awareness and value of exhibitions and other face-to-face marketing events by producing and delivering knowledge-based research tools that enable stakeholder organizations to enhance their ability to meet current and emerging customer needs, improve their business performance and strengthen their competitive position. For more info, visit ceir.org.
