ECA Releases 2026 Public-Policy Agenda

The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance, a unified public-policy voice for the U.S. business and professional events industry, has announced its 2026 Public Policy Agenda, which outlines the organization's federal and state policy priorities for the year ahead.

"2026 presents a critical moment for our industry in Washington, D.C., and beyond," said Fernando Fischer, president of the Americas for RX, and chair of the ECA board of directors. "The policy decisions made this year will directly affect our collective ability to create new jobs, reduce economic uncertainty, safeguard affordability for our small businesses and those we serve, and strengthen U.S. competitiveness."

Important areas to address

ECA's 2026 Public Policy Agenda supports policies that will strengthen the industry in six critical areas:

• Trade and tariffs: The ECA supports trade policies that preserve affordability and reduce uncertainty for the industry and its customers.
• International travel: The ECA supports policies that lower barriers in order to attract international exhibitors, attendees and buyers. This would include reducing visa wait times, modernizing visa processing, and eliminating unnecessary fees and overly restrictive rules that could deter visitors from traveling to the United States for events.
• Taxes: The ECA supports federal, state, and local tax policies that enhance industry competitiveness, and the organizations opposes measures that disproportionately harm the U.S. business and professional events ecosystem.
• Workforce development: The ECA supports policies that strengthen the industry's ability to recruit, train and retain its next-generation workforce.
• Sustainability: The ECA supports common-sense policies and industry-led efforts that help ensure the industry maintains control of its path to net-zero-carbon events.
• Operating environment: The ECA supports a competitive, predictable policy environment that encourages innovation and growth throughout the industry.

Throughout 2026, the ECA will provide opportunities for industry leaders and advocates to make their voices heard through the ECA Advocacy Network and on ECA Legislative Action Day on May 28.

"Advocacy is most effective when industry leaders show up and share their stories directly with policymakers," said Hervé Sedky, president and CEO of Emerald, and secretary of the ECA. "ECA's agenda is a call to action for leaders across the U.S. business and professional events ecosystem to get involved, engage with elected and appointed officials, and help shape policies that impact our industry and the communities we serve from coast to coast."

Supporting the core mission of events

"As a global industry, exhibitions and conferences depend on the free flow of people, goods and ideas," said Mark Bogdansky, vice president of trade shows and community engagement for the Auto Care Association and vice chair of the ECA. "Reducing barriers to international travel and trade is essential to maintaining the United States' position as the premier global destination for business and professional events. ECA will continue to champion policies that welcome international stakeholders and grow the industry's impact in states and communities nationwide."

"Our industry's success depends on having the right people and the right policies in place," added Chris Griffin, president and CEO of Crew XP and treasurer of the ECA. "In 2026, ECA will prioritize workforce development initiatives that help attract and train new skilled workers, while also advocating for tax policies that support investment, innovation, and long-term stability for our industry and its many small businesses."