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 ● Sep 12, 2025
Smart Brevity® count: 2.5 mins...629 words
🏈 Welcome to the ECA Advocacy Update’s first football-season edition!
ECA posts news and advocacy updates every weekday on LinkedIn and X. Follow ECA on social media today to ensure you stay up-to-date on the latest developments from Washington, D.C., and beyond.
Thanks to the EDPA Great Lakes Chapter for recently hosting ECA for an advocacy update on the four policy “Ts” impacting the industry: taxes, talent, tariffs, and travel. Reach out to Tommy Goodwin if your organization would benefit from an ECA update presentation.
1 big thing: Are the IEEPA tariffs legal?
The legal debate over President Trump’s signature tariffs is going to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The big picture: Last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled 7-4 that tariffs introduced under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are illegal.
This includes the country-specific “reciprocal” tariffs, the 10% “baseline” tariff, and the “fentanyl-combating tariffs” introduced on China, Canada, and Mexico.
IEEPA tariffs have cost U.S. importers more than $65.8 billion.
Yes, but: The tariffs will remain in place while the Supreme Court hears President Trump’s appeal.
Last week, President Trump petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for an expedited review of his appeal, which was granted on Tuesday.
This means that oral arguments may take place the first week of November. This would allow for a decision by the end of the year or early next year.
ECA continues to oppose tariffs, which will increase costs for event organizers, exhibitors, suppliers, and attendees alike.
For the latest on tariffs, visit the ECA Tariff Resource Center, which includes in-depth analysis from ECA’s public policy counsel, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP.
2. ISO creates new events committee
Good news! The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recently established a new technical committee for the events sector.
Why it matters: This is a significant milestone in recognizing the events industry and establishing globally harmonized standards.
In addition, this new committee will consolidate existing ISO work impacting the industry under one roof.
Our thought bubble: ECA applauds ISO for setting up this new body, championed by ECA alliance partner UFI, which will include business, sports, and cultural events as part of its remit.
ECA advocated to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to support this group’s creation, which it did.
What’s next: UFI will help facilitate progress via its Associations Committee and invites industry stakeholders to engage with their national standards bodies to ensure industry perspectives are represented.
Go deeper: Read more about this important development from Exhibition World.
3. ECA supports ambassador nominee
Last week, ECA joined a letter to U.S. Senate leadership calling for the swift confirmation of former Freeman CEO Joe Popolo as the new U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands.
The letter was also signed by a who’s who of industry leaders:
Marsha Flanagan, International Association of Exhibitions & Events
Sherrif Karamat, Professional Convention Management Association
Michelle Mason, American Society of Association Executives
Vincent Polito, Society of Independent Show Organizers
Gary Shapiro, Consumer Technology Association (CTA)
Matt Shay, National Retail Federation
What we’re saying: “[Joe Popolo’s] ability to connect people, foster innovation, and build strong partnerships uniquely qualifies him for this important diplomatic post.”
Thank you to Gary Shapiro and Tiffany Moore from CTA for spearheading this effort.
4. In case you missed it
Skift Meetings addressed the termination of the “de minimis” exception, which allowed packages valued at less than $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free.
Trade Show Talk’s new episode includes an advocacy update from ECA and Danica Tormohlen’s interview of IAPPA’s Alice Mathu.
Mark Bogdansky, ECA’s vice chair, was named one of Smart Meetings’ 2025 Meeting Professionals of the Year. Congrats, Mark!
ECA is a coalition of leading industry associations comprising the unified advocacy voice of the business and professional events industry.