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.
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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 ● Nov 07, 2025
Smart Brevity® count: 3 mins...808 words
😞 Welcome to yet another government shutdown edition of the ECA Public Policy Update newsletter.
For the latest updates on the government shutdown and other breaking news, follow ECA on LinkedIn and X.
Whether you are in the office, on your phone, or even on the show floor, the ECA Advocacy Network has ways for you to get involved and make your voice heard on behalf of the industry. Visit today!
1 big thing: Longest shutdown ever
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history has reached 38 days and counting, but the end might be near.
The big picture: Air traffic controllers and security screeners have been working without pay for more than 5 weeks, amplifying staffing shortages, causing widespread flight delays, and lengthening security wait times.
Since October 1, many air traffic control facilities have reported understaffing and controller absences, forcing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to slow or reroute traffic to maintain safety.
Starting today, the FAA is reducing flight traffic by 10% at 40 U.S. airports as part of an effort to ease pressure on air traffic controllers.
Our thought bubble: With this week’s elections behind us and the Thanksgiving week travel surge on the horizon, it is possible that Congress will reach a deal to reopen the government next week.
ECA recently signed onto a letter from the U.S. Travel Association and 500+ stakeholders calling on Congressional leaders to reopen the government and prevent a “Thanksgiving travel crisis.”
What they’re saying: Read more about the government shutdown from Trade Show Executive and Skift Meetings.
ECA’s Tommy Goodwin and TSNN’s Danica Tormohlen also talked about the shutdown on the latest Trade Show Talk podcast episode, which also features an interview with RX’s Hugh Jones.
2. Supreme Court takes up tariffs
On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Learning Resources v. Trump and Trump v. V.O.S. Selections, two cases that will decide the constitutionality of President Trump’s “emergency” tariffs.
These include the “fentanyl” tariffs—applied to goods from Canada, China, and Mexico—and the “reciprocal” tariffs that imposed duties ranging from 10 to 50% on goods from almost all countries.
Why it matters: These tariffs have increased costs and uncertainty for the industry and its organizers, suppliers, exhibitors, and attendees.
What they’re saying: President Trump and his legal team argued that IEEPA grants the president the authority to “regulate” importation under a “national emergency,” which includes the power to impose tariffs.
In contrast, Learning Resources and V.O.S. Selections both argued that IEEPA does not explicitly mention tariffs, duties, or any other revenue-raising mechanism anywhere in the law.
In addition, they believe that IEEPA tariffs are precluded by the “major questions” legal doctrine, which sets forth that when Congress wants to give the president the authority to make decisions with “vast economic and political significance,” it must clearly say so.
What’s next: The Supreme Court’s ruling is expected early next year.
Our thought bubble: ECA agrees with Learning Resources, V.O.S. Selections, the Consumer Technology Association, and others that the IEEPA tariffs are unconstitutional. The justices seem likely to agree.
Go deeper: For more on these important cases and their potential implications, read ECA’s latest column for TSNN: “Tariffs on Trial.”
In other tariff news, next week the U.S. will suspend new port fees on Chinese-built ships until at least November 10, 2026.
ECA also submitted comments to the U.S. Trade Representative on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in advance of next year’s joint review of the trade pact.
3. Catch ECA on the road (and online)
ECA looks forward to seeing many of the industry’s wonderful leaders and advocates on the road (and online) in the days and weeks ahead.
SISO webinar (November 13): ECA will preview what independent show organizers and the industry at large can expect from Washington, D.C., in 2026 on the policy issues that matter.
EDPA Access (December 4): ECA will join EDPA members in Amelia Island, FL, for two facilitated conversations about the political landscape as part of the annual Business Issues Forum.
IAEE Expo! Expo! (December 10): ECA will be in Houston, TX, to share the latest news from Washington, DC, as part of the Executive Experience at the “show for shows.”
4. In case you missed it
The Event About It podcast featured a conversation between two long-time friends of ECA, host Megan Martin and Marc Ghafoori, about the importance of advocacy and their involvement with ECA.
IAEE interviewed ECA about the view from Capitol Hill and what it means for the industry for IAEE Blog Station.
The 92nd UFI Global Congress will take place from November 19 to 21 in Hong Kong. Best wishes to Chris Skeith and the UFI team for a fantastic event!
ECA is a coalition of leading industry associations comprising the unified advocacy voice of the business and professional events industry.