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.
Legislative Action Day
ECA Advocacy Update
By Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance ● Oct 10, 2025
Smart Brevity® count: 3 mins...856 words
👋 Welcome to this government shutdown edition of the ECA Public Policy Update newsletter.
For the latest government shutdown news and developments impacting the industry, follow ECA LinkedIn and X.
REMINDER: 2026 is almost here, and ECA wants to hear from you about our public policy priorities for the coming year. Please take this brief 3-question survey to help us shape our agenda for what promises to be an action-packed year ahead. Thank you!
1 big thing: Shutdown continues
After 10 days, there is still no end in sight for the ongoing U.S. federal government shutdown.
The big picture: The government shutdown is impacting the industry in two important ways:
Travel delays: TSA agents and air traffic controllers are going unpaid. In recent days, “sick outs” have led to cancelled flights at several airports nationwide.
Event support: The Department of Commerce’s Trade Event Partnership Program, which brings international buyers to U.S. events, is paused at this time.
At this time, visitor visas are being processed, but a long shutdown could suspend all non-emergency services at U.S. posts worldwide.
What’s next: If Congress does not agree to a continuing resolution by Monday, October 13, 1.3 million active-duty military service members will miss their next scheduled paycheck.
Many D.C. insiders believe that missing this deadline could portend a longer shutdown ahead.
Go deeper: For more details on how the shutdown impacts the industry, check out ECA’s latest Trade Show News Network column here.
In addition, thanks to Trade Show Executive and Prevue Meetings + Incentives for their coverage of this critical issue.
2. The latest trade and tariff updates
While the industry awaits next month’s Supreme Court case, the U.S. and its trading partners continue to reshape the tariff landscape.
Furniture: On September 29, President Trump introduced a new 25% tariff on upholstered wooden furniture products, including those used by business and professional event industry providers. For furniture imported from China, this tariff increases to 45%.
Shipping: The new China-built vessel fees take effect on October 14. In response, China recently changed its shipping laws to allow it to levy its own special fees and restrict the vessels of countries accused of targeting its shipping operations. Earlier this year, ECA joined 160+ organizations opposing these new fees.
USMCA: The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has initiated a public consultation process ahead of next year’s joint review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Industry stakeholders are invited to join ECA in submitting public comments to USTR by the November 3 deadline.
The bottom line: The trade and tariff environment for the industry will continue to evolve in real time.
Go deeper: Keep track of the latest developments by visiting the ECA Tariff Resource Center.
3. Music licensing progress from D.C.
Last week, GMR and SESAC, the 3rd- and 4th-largest performance rights organizations (“PROs”), agreed to join the Songview database.
Why it matters: ASCAP, BMI, GMR, and SESAC have promised that Songview will be the “single source of detailed copyright information for over 38 million songs” and offer “even more transparency for the industry.”
ECA’s policy agenda supports increased music licensing transparency and stopping anti-competitive behavior by PROs.
Earlier this year, ECA and 35 other industry groups called for the creation of a “single, publicly available, authoritative database that allows us to verify which songs are covered by which PROs.”
Without this information, organizations are forced to overpay for licenses that they may not need or take the legal risk of unknowingly playing music that they are not fully licensed to use.
Yes, but: Previous iterations of Songview have suffered from several deficiencies that limited the database’s utility for event organizers, venues, and exhibitors, including:
The lack of a blanket guarantee regarding the accuracy of the data.
A legal disclaimer that limited a licensee’s ability to rely on it for protection against copyright infringement.
What they're saying: ECA is part of the MIC Coalition, a group of associations whose members provide music as part of their businesses, which released the following statement:
“For over a decade, [we have] advocated for a more transparent and efficient music licensing system, and today’s announcement represents a potentially important step in that direction.”
“The key to improved transparency lies in the creation of a comprehensive database of musical works that provides seamless navigation and interoperability, enabling licensees to conduct user-friendly searches for the songs and songwriter PRO affiliations of their choice.”
4. In case you missed it
TSNN’s Trade Show Talk podcast featured an in-depth interview with Liz Irving, CEO of Clarion Events North America, and a Washington, D.C., update from ECA.
Rich Curran’s Behind the Drapes podcast recently interviewed Tommy Goodwin about ECA’s work and his start in the industry.
ESCA is accepting applications for its 2025-2026 internship program, which will provide 18 weeks of real-world event planning experience supporting ESCA’s 2026 Rising Leaders Summit.
mdg, A Freeman Company, has introduced its new ShowReady program to help event organizers navigate ongoing visa uncertainty, including the forthcoming $250 visa integrity fee.
ECA is a coalition of leading industry associations comprising the unified advocacy voice of the business and professional events industry.