Time to Get Involved (Wherever You Are)!

September 11, 2024

Tommy Goodwin

Tommy Goodwin is Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), an association dedicated to the advancement of the business events industry. He leads ECA’s advocacy and member engagement work on behalf of the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, show and event organizers, suppliers, venues and destinations that comprise the global business events landscape.

From bringing back international exhibitors and attendees to attracting and training the next-generation workforce, there is a lot happening in Washington, DC that will impact the future of the trade show industry.   

While ECA brings industry leaders and advocates to our nation’s capital annually for Legislative Action Day, we know that not everybody can take time away from their shows to take part.   

Enter the ECA Advocacy Network, ECA’s brand new one-stop digital advocacy platform! 

Going forward, the ECA Advocacy Network will be the hub for ECA’s advocacy programs where you (yes, you!) and anyone else in the industry can take action on the policy issues that matter from wherever you are. 

What’s included?    

  • ECA Action Center, where you can directly contact your members of Congress about any of ECA’s legislative priorities with just a few clicks. If you have two minutes, we will put you in touch with your elected officials. 
  • Social Influencer Program, which gives you the tools to inform and educate your network, the general public, and lawmakers about key policy issues and opportunities for them to get involved. If you are active online, we will give you the tools to get started. 
  • Show Floor Program, where ECA will help you host a policymaker at your next event. Why? There’s nothing like being on the show floor to see first-hand how our industry operates and learn about the impact we have in the communities where shows take place.   

Since joining ECA a few years ago, I have learned that the trade show industry has the best advocates anywhere, hands down! Now, with the ECA Advocacy Network, you can join them from wherever you are: on your phone, at home, in the office, or even on the show floor. 

“ECA advocates are the backbone of the trade show industry, and that’s why the ECA Advocacy Network is so important,” said Austin O’Boyle, vice president of Advocacy for Aristotle International, who led the development of the ECA Advocacy Network. 

“These programs and tools will allow people throughout the industry who want to take action to make their voices heard on key issues across the country when it truly matters most.” 

With some big issues on the agenda next year in Washington, DC regardless of this November’s election results, now is the time to get involved with the trade show industry’s advocacy work… no matter where you are!   

Check out the new ECA Advocacy Network at ECAAdvocacyNetwork.com

 

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on LinkedIn!

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Partner Voices
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