Apr 6, 2023
Our guest on this one is front and center, representing us in DC and beyond.
Most folks know we've had the Meetings Mean Business coalition since the events of 2008-2009, and now we also have the organization Tommy Goodwin represents, Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance, advocating for our industry.
On this episode we talk about the challenge of getting Visas to enter the U.S. and the impact that has had on our industry, the Kentucky legislature (failed) attempt to tax space rental for exhibitors and sponsors, the entry of the Exhibitor News Network onto the scene, and MORE.
"While the average international attendee that comes to a show in the US spends about $13,000, the average exhibitor who comes over spends $36,000."
Legislative Action Day is on The Hill on June 1 and anyone is welcome to attend and have their voice heard. Go to ECALegislativeActionDay.com to sign-up and they will set up meetings for you with the legislators who matter on this front.
Our guest
- Tommy is VP, Government Affairs for the Exhibitions &
Conferences Alliance (ECA), a newly-formed association dedicated to
the advancement of the face-to-face business events industry. In
this role, he leads ECA’s advocacy on behalf of ten industry
associations that represent the interconnected ecosystem of
exhibitors, show and event organizers, suppliers, venues, and that
comprise the business events sector.
Prior to joining ECA, he spent more than 20 years leading a wide range of government relations and public affairs efforts for several globally-recognized organizations, including Oracle, AARP, and the Project Management Institute (PMI). Recognized by The Hill as one of Washington, DC’s “Top Lobbyists” each year since 2020, he was also recently named a 2023 Leading Association Lobbyist by Association TRENDS and CEO Update. And in 2022, he received the Industry Support award from TSNN, the Association Innovation Leader award from DCA Live, and was named a 2022 Changemaker by MeetingsNet.
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The "Trade Show Talk" podcast is publishing two episodes per month, tackling the most important issues the meetings and events industry is facing. If you'd like to be a sponsor or a guest, or you have a topic to suggest, please let us know by emailing podcast@tsnn.com. And we'd love it if you'd SHARE, rate, and review episode 29, & the show!