The EDPA is committed to driving sustained advocacy efforts to support the exhibitions and events industry.  As part of these efforts, we proudly partner with the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) and the Exhibitor Advocate

The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) is a coalition of leading professional, industry, and labor organizations that comprise the unified advocacy voice of the business events industry. The exhibitions, conferences, and trade shows delivered by ECA's alliance partners and their members attract exhibitors, attendees, and buyers from around the world to conduct business in the United States. This dynamic industry employs 2.6 million Americans and drives $399 billion in spending annually.

Click here to learn more about the ECA

The Exhibitor Advocate amplifies the voice of exhibitors to ensure the enduring success of exhibitions and events by collaborating with all stakeholders to promote and cultivate open communication, consistent standards, and industry best practices.

Click here to learn more about The Exhibitor Advocate

Legislative Action Day

EECA Advocacy Update

By Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance
● Apr 11, 2025👋 Welcome to the latest edition of the ECA Advocacy Update newsletter.

  • Now is a great time to check out the ECA Advocacy Network and find out about all the ways you can get involved as an advocate on behalf of the industry!

  • ECA looks forward to being part of the Trade Show Executive Fastest 50 Awards & Summit later this month in Orlando, FL. For more information and to register, please click here.

1 big thing: ECA’s tariff advocacy

ECA shares your concerns about the impact of tariffs (and the ongoing uncertainty around them) on the business and professional events industry. Why?

  • They will increase costs for business and professional event organizers, exhibitors, and attendees alike.

  • They will particularly harm small businesses, which account for 99% of industry companies and 80% of exhibitors.

That’s why ECA opposes tariffs, which will hurt our collective ability to drive economic growth, support job creation, empower small businesses, and help to solve our most urgent societal challenges.

  • What's next: ECA will continue to work with its member associations, coalition partners, and other key stakeholders in Washington, DC, to advocate for tariff and trade policies that will strengthen the competitiveness of the industry going forward.

Take action: To share your concerns with your elected officials, please visit the ECA Advocacy Network email action center today!

  • ECA has also established the ECA Tariff Resource Center on its website with the latest tariff news and details impacting the industry.

Go deeper: Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance Statement on Introduction of New Tariffs [press release]

2. Only 7 weeks until #ECALAD 2025

ECA continues to oppose the more than $1.8 trillion in tariffs proposed so far by the Trump administration.

The bottom line: Tariffs are taxes paid by American businesses and consumers. Period.

  • That’s why ECA’s 2025 public policy agenda opposes “tariffs that increase costs for industry stakeholders and small businesses.”

On Monday, ECA and 6 of its alliance partners joined more than 300 groups on a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative opposing new tariffs on Chinese ships that would increase shipping container costs by 25%.

  • Exhibiton Services & Contractors Association

  • Experiential Designers & Producers Association

  • International Association of Exhibitions & Events

  • International Association of Venue Managers

  • Society of Independent Show Organizers

  • UFI — The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry

Go deeper: For background on these proposed multimillion-dollar fees, here are overviews from POLITICO and the Washington Post.

  • Thanks to Nicole Hallada and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers for their leadership on this important issue.

Thanks to Trade Show Executive and Exhibit City News for their excellent recent previews of #ECALAD 2025!

3. Federal and state policy round up

While tariffs are in the headlines, ECA continues to advance its other 2025 policy priorities in Washington, DC, and state capitals nationwide.

  • Music licensing: Yesterday, ECA submitted a letter on behalf of the industry to the U.S. Copyright Office highlighting opportunities for music licensing reform.

  • Digital advertising tax: ECA continues to fight back against digital ad tax proposals in ten states, after securing victories in Maryland, Hawaii, and South Dakota so far this year.

  • Future workforce: In Congress, Democrats and Republicans continue to co-sponsor ECA-supported future workforce bills in record numbers! More than one-third of the Senate already supports Pell Grant expansion, while nearly 100 members of the House of Representatives have signed up to expand 529 savings plans.

4. In case you missed it

BBC quoted ECA’s Tommy Goodwin about the real-world impact of U.S. travel boycotts.

  • Trade Show Executive featured ECA as part of its April 2025 articles on sustainability and the ESCA Rising Leaders Summit.

  • ECA recently participated in several great industry events: the Lippman Connects’ Attendee Acquisition Roundtable, the SISO CEO Summit, and the ICCA Association Readiness Lab.