Registration still remains open for “Exhibitions Mean Business,” the annual lobbying effort organized by a consortium of the U.S. exhibition industry’s leading associations and individuals. The event is scheduled for June 6-7 in Washington, D.C., when upwards of 100 representatives from the industry are expected to converge on Capitol Hill to speak with lawmakers about the impact of the exhibitions and events business on the country’s economy. The concept for the initiative was formed in 2011 after industry officials grew concerned about the debilitating effect certain laws were having on trade shows – particularly laws and regulations that interfered with the ability of foreign exhibitors and attendees to participate.
With threat of a travel ban and changes to U.S. trade agreements still looming, event organizers have redoubled their concern about the way such measures can negatively impact shows. The two-day event includes hundreds of face-to-face meetings with government officials in order to educate them and sway them to support measures that help the industry rather than hamper it.
“House and Senate representatives are central to the review of policies that have a direct and indirect effect on our local economies,” said IAEE President and CEO David DuBois. “As they make critical decisions that impact business travel and international business activities, it is important we give them all the facts and potential implications so federal lawmakers can make the most informed decisions that are in the best interest of our economy.”
Registering at exhibitionsmeanbusiness.org will help organizers track attendance and will provide participants with a roster of activities and meetups surrounding the event.
