The Exhibitions Mean Business coalition hosted its second annual Exhibitions Day June 9 on Capitol Hill to meet face-to-face with Congressional leaders and discuss the key issues threatening the industry’s $71.3 billion contribution to the U.S. GDP.
As a result of the coalition’s efforts, 112 participants from 19 states gathered at the nation’s capital to participate in industry-related events, including nearly 100 meetings with policy influencers and members of Congress.
Participation in Exhibitions Day reached far beyond the nation’s capital, as more than 350 social media influencers posted about the event from 29 states and 18 countries, reaching nearly 4 million people across the globe. Additionally, Exhibitions Day received support coast-to-coast at local convention centers and visitor bureaus in more than 20 cities on the days leading up to and during the event, demonstrating the industry’s impact on international, national and local economies.
“We are thrilled to report that the second annual Exhibitions Day was a huge success and look forward to further engagement with our Congressional leaders to advance the exhibitions and events industry,” said David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA, president and CEO, International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). “The event’s worldwide social media coverage, along with an increase in the number of meetings and overall participants on Capitol Hill, has demonstrated the impact this industry has on the national economy as well as consumers and businesses around the world.”
Exhibitions Day was established to serve as a platform to meet face-to-face with members of Congress and discuss the issues impacting the exhibitions and events industry. For Exhibitions Day 2015, attendees met with U.S. representatives to raise awareness about the business and economic power of exhibitions and events and to inform them of the specific pieces of legislation that are directly impacting the industry’s ability to conduct business including the JOLT Act, Open Skies Agreements, Trade Promotion Authority and government employee attendance at tradeshows and events.
“As a member of the exhibitions and events community, I was pleased to take part in advocating for our industry on Capitol Hill,” said Megan Tanel, CEM, vice president of exhibitions & events, Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and 2015 IAEE chairperson of the board. “Events like Exhibitions Day bring the industry together as one cohesive voice to rally behind the importance of exhibitions and events to local and national economies.”
You can read about and view photos of the coast-to-coast participation online here. The Exhibitions Means Business coalition will continue to publish content on its website in the coming weeks in an effort to demonstrate the impact Exhibitions Day had and will continue to have on the exhibitions and events industry.
To view the content, check for updates on the coalition’s website at www.exhibitionsmeanbusiness.com. Follow us on Twitter @ExhibitsMeanBiz for additional commentary, photos and news surrounding Exhibitions Day.
