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

ECA Advocacy Update

By Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance ● May 23, 2025

Smart Brevity® count: 2.5 mins...652 words

👋 Welcome to the pre-Legislative Action Day issue of the
ECA Advocacy Update newsletter!

  • This was a big week for ECA’s legislative agenda, as the House of Representatives voted to advance all of ECA’s 2025 tax reform and future workforce priorities! Read this issue’s “1 big thing” below to learn more about this great news from Capitol Hill.

  • With tariffs still top of mind for the industry, don’t forget to visit ECA’s Tariff Resource Center, which has all the trade and tariff policy that your organization needs to know to navigate uncertainty.

1 big thing: House votes for ECA’s tax reform and future workforce priorities!

Yesterday, the House of Representatives voted in favor of several tax reform and future workforce policies that will strengthen the competitiveness of the industry going forward.

The big picture: As part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” the House voted to maintain several ECA-supported tax policies while creating two new pathways for the industry’s future workforce.

  • Tax reform: The legislation retains the current tax treatment of business profits, private investments, and association events while expanding a tax credit for solopreneurs within the industry.

  • Future workforce: The legislation proposes to expand the Pell Grant program to pay for high-quality short-term skilled workforce training. It would also transform 529 college savings plans into career savings plans by paying for certain licenses and certifications.

Our perspective: “The House of Representatives has taken two big steps forward toward ensuring our industry’s collective ability to drive economic growth, support job creation, and empower small businesses into the future,” said Tommy Goodwin, ECA’s Executive Vice President.

  • These issues will be front and center on ECA Legislative Action Day on May 29, where industry leaders and advocates will encourage the Senate to keep the positive momentum going.

Go deeper: Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance Applauds House of Representatives Tax and Workforce Legislation [press release]

2. Legislative Action Day next week

On May 29, 162 industry leaders and advocates from 29 states will descend on Capitol Hill for ECA Legislative Action Day.

  • Once again, this year’s event will be the largest gathering of the business and professional events industry on Capitol Hill ever!

Why it matters: During Legislative Action Day, attendees will meet with congressional offices on 3 of ECA’s top public policy priorities:

What’s next: For those not in Washington, DC, for Legislative Action Day, ECA encourages you to make your voice heard by visiting the ECA Advocacy Network action center on May 29 to email your elected officials.

Thank you to our amazing partners for their support of Legislative Action Day. We couldn’t do it without you!

3. Visa wait times update

The U.S. State Department recently updated its Global Visa Wait Times reporting system.

Going forward, the State Department will report monthly on two critical metrics for international exhibitors and attendees looking to come to U.S. business and professional events:

  • Next available appointment: The estimated wait time until the next available interview appointment for a B1/B2 visitor visa.

  • Average wait times: The average time that visa applicants waited for a B1/B2 visitor visa interview in the previous month.

The bottom line: ECA still encourages would-be international exhibitors and attendees to apply for their visas as early as possible.

  • U.S. embassies and consulates are still reporting long wait times in Mexico, Colombia, and India, among other locations.

4. In case you missed it

Global Exhibitions Day will take place on Wednesday, June 4. Click here to access the #GED 2025 toolkit.

  • UFI’s European Events Week will include ECA as part of a SISO-organized session on navigating the U.S. exhibitions ecosystem.

  • IMEX’s Natasha Richards recently shared her perspective on how the industry can demonstrate value and impact… along with some kind words for ECA.