A trade body that lobbies on behalf of
the business events industry has presented a wish list of policy proposals as
new lawmakers take office in America.
The Exhibition & Conference Alliance (ECA) released its
2025 public policy agenda before the 119th Congress took office and President-elect
Trump is sworn in later this month.
While Trump has signalled his willingness to bring back the
so-called ‘Muslim ban’, the Washingon, DC-based organisation said it would, ‘oppose any inbound travel restrictions'.
The ECA always also wants to see a reduction in visa waiting times
and a better processing system.
The agenda focuses on five areas of focus for the next 12
months that, the ECA said, would help ‘drive the future competitiveness of the
U.S. business and professional events industry’.
They include enhancing competitiveness through
growth-focused tax policies; creating new workforce pathways to ensure industry
competitiveness; growing international travel to increase U.S. competitiveness;
leveraging ‘smart decarbonisation’ for long-term competitive advantage; and supporting
future growth through a competitive operating environment.
Hervé Sedky, Emerald Holding Inc. president, CEO and chair
of the ECA board of directors, said he was ‘looking forward’ to working with
policymakers in Washington, DC and hoped their joint efforts would, ‘strengthen
our industry’s competitiveness, continue driving economic growth, support job
creation, and empower small businesses across the country for years to come’.
Other priorities revolved around tax incentives and increased
government support.
Vinnie Polito, Society of Independent Show Organizers chief executive
officer and ECA Co-president, said: “From supporting tax laws that incentivise
the growth of our small businesses to policies that help the U.S. attract more
international exhibitors, attendees, and events, 2025 will be a critical year
for the industry on Capitol Hill and beyond. As the unified advocacy voice of
the industry, ECA will be leading the charge to make sure that our elected
officials understand how they can best support the industry going forward.”
ECA’s 2025 public policy agenda can be viewed here.
Editor’s comment
Although Trump
has said he will reintroduce his self-proclaimed ‘Muslim Ban’ - which banned
people from entering the USA from six Muslim-majority countries during his first
presidency – the possibility that he might has so far failed to gain much media
attention. Although his 2017 proposals were watered down when faced with legal
challenges, a version still passed that denied entry to travellers from Iran,
Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and North Korea. While the direct impact such a
ban would have on business events might be negligible, event industry leaders
in America will be concerned about the message it sends out to the world in
terms of America’s openness for business and the harm that could inflict on the
country’s relatively robust economic recovery.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
