Now that (most of) the midterm votes have been counted, the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance is ready to work with the 120th Congress on the issues at the forefront of the meetings industry.
A public-policy voice for the industry, the ECA has reaffirmed its commitment to working with policymakers on both sides of the aisle to advance measures that help the industry drive economic growth, create new jobs and empower small businesses in the United States.
“We look forward to working with members of both parties to advance policies that strengthen our collective ability to support U.S. small businesses, entrepreneurs, mission-driven organizations and communities alike,” said Fernando Fischer, president of the Americas for RX and chair of the ECA board of directors.
Urging action even now
ECA leaders added that the upcoming lame-duck session of Congress presents lawmakers an immediate opportunity to support the industry.
The ECA wants Congress to take immediate action to permanently block proposed changes to federal grant rules from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. The OMB’s proposal includes restrictions on conference attendance and changes to event-security protocols that would significantly harm meetings and the venues that host them nationwide.
The 400-page proposal has garnered nearly 500,000 comments, an astronomical amount, as the regulations feature sweeping wording around diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and could put funding for many venues, associations and other organizations at risk. The current stopgap federal-spending bill restricts the OMB from finalizing its proposed changes, but that protection expires Dec. 11.
“Congress doesn't have to wait until January to make a real difference for our industry,” said Tommy Goodwin, ECA’s president and CEO, and one of Northstar's Influential #Eventprofs for 2026 for his stellar work on such issues. “OMB's proposed changes are creating unnecessary uncertainty as event organizers, planners, exhibitors, venues and attendees get ready for 2027. When Congress returns to Washington, D.C., it should protect conference access and safeguard venue security by putting a stop to this misguided proposal once and for all.”
The ECA plans to provide industry leaders and advocates with the opportunity to share their perspectives directly with members of Congress on this important issue.
