Exhibitions Day Attendees Set to Advocate on Behalf of $91 Billion Industry June 5-6 in DC

May 15, 2018

The Exhibitions Mean Business campaign will hold its fifth annual Exhibitions Day on Capitol Hill June 5-6 to champion the impact that the exhibitions industry has upon the U.S. economy.

According to new information obtained by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), events contributed $91 billion to the U.S. GDP in 2017, approximately a $10 billion increase from what was previously reported.

“Recent data shows the economic contribution of events, which includes direct spending of organizers, exhibitors, attendees and venues, totaled $91 billion in 2017,” said Allen Shaw, Ph.D., Chief Economist for Global Economic Consulting Associates, Inc.

He added, “This notable increase from previous records further emphasizes the importance of face-to-face connections in conducting business.”

Trade shows, conventions and other face-to-face gatherings are major commerce platforms that play a vital role in the health of the American economy. Exhibitions Day, the industry’s annual event on Capitol Hill, brings together professionals from across the country to educate members of Congress about the power of events and address issues that are affecting the health and growth of these trade channels.

Here are topics that will be discussed at Exhibitions Day 2018:

  • Online Booking Scams: Upwards of 15 million fraudulent online bookings scams happen each year, resulting in more than $1.3 billion in lost revenue for hotels and money from consumers. Attendees will look to encourage policymakers to vote in favor of laws, particularly H.R. 2495 and S. 1164, that will prohibit websites from pretending to be hotels and allow state attorneys general to pursue restitution and refunds on behalf of the victims.
  • Safety and Security: The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and its partners have aligned with the Department of Homeland Security to develop the Exhibitions and Meetings Safety and Security Initiative (EMSSI), which aligns convention center security guidelines with federal programs and the Department of Homeland Security/Safety Act Office. The accreditation program is in its final stages and is anticipated to launch later in 2018.
  • Travel Facilitation: The U.S. percentage of global travel fell from 13.6 percent to 11.9 percent this year — the first drop after more than a decade of consistent growth. To stay competitive in the global market and maintain a secure, welcoming environment that is conducive for business deals and events, policymakers must prioritize attracting international tourism.
  • Infrastructure Investment: Without sufficient transportation, ample housing and dining infrastructure, it is nearly impossible to attract trade shows and other meetings, which generate millions of dollars in tax revenue for cities.

“Exhibitions Day is an invaluable forum to meet face-to-face with members of Congress and discuss important matters that strain our industry, and as a result, impact local economies,” said CEO and President of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA.

He added, “It is our responsibility to equip our nation’s leaders with the knowledge needed to shape our country to better facilitate domestic and international business deals.”

Exhibitions Day was established in 2013 to serve as a platform to engage in uninterrupted, one-on-one dialogue with federal legislators and other policy influencers. Over the years, hundreds of people have joined the Exhibitions Mean Business campaign on Capitol Hill to hold these informational and educational conversations.

Sponsors of Exhibitions Day include Reception Sponsor Trade Show Executive Magazine, Registration Sponsor Streampoint Solutions and Transportation Sponsor Convention and Event Transportation Management (CMAC).

Supporting organizations include the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Canadian Association of Exposition Management (CAEM), Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA), Destinations International, Events Industry Council (EIC), Experiential Designers + Producers Association (EDPA), Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA), Exhibitor Magazine, GES, International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), IAEE MATSO Council, Meetings Mean Business, Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO), Trade Show News Network (TSNN), Union of International Fairs (UFI), and U.S. Travel Association.

For more information about Exhibitions Day or the exhibitions industry, please visit the Exhibitions Mean Business website. Follow on Twitter @ExhibitsMeanBiz for commentary and news surrounding Exhibitions Day.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Dallas already boasts 35,000 hotel rooms, award-winning global cuisine, and a walkable downtown. But we are just getting started. Visit Dallas is thrilled to announce that the city of Dallas is doubling down with a massive new convention center and entertainment district. Featuring 800,000 square feet of exhibit area, 260,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and 170,000 square feet of ballroom. The center will connect business travelers with dining and shopping options in the popular Cedars District means more places to get down to business, and even more ways to unwind. “Dallas is already a great meetings and conventions destination, with the accessibility of two major airports, affordable labor, and an outstanding hotel product,” said D. Bradley Kent, Visit Dallas senior vice president and chief sales officer. “The new center and Convention Center District will enhance Dallas’ competitive position and are exactly what our customers’ need and have been asking for." What’s New – AT&T Discovery District Located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, this new district on the AT&T corporate campus is tailor-made for groups of all sizes. It boasts a multi-sensory experience, including outdoor event space, the AT&T Theater, and multiple dining outlets including JAXON Beer Garden and The Exchange, a bustling food hall. Hotels Coming Soon Names like the JW Marriott (Downtown), lnterContinental Dallas (Uptown), and Hotel Swexan (Uptown) are adding luxury amenities and bountiful event spaces. The projects will debut in 2023 and beyond. JW Marriott This new, 15-story, 283-room hotel will open in the heart of the city’s downtown Arts District this year. The property features a 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom, as well as a spa, restaurant, lobby bar, fitness center, and a rooftop pool deck and bar. InterContinental Dallas  Located in Cityplace Tower in Uptown, InterContinental Dallas will feature sweeping panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. Guests will enjoy spacious, high-end rooms and amenities, including more than 21,000 square feet of event space.   Hotel Swexan Hotel Swexan, a new, 22-story luxury property, is rising in Uptown’s Harwood District and will make its mark on the Dallas skyline. Opening this year, it is a sculptural building with cantilevered upper floors, as well as a 75-foot rooftop infinity-edge swimming pool and a hidden underground lounge.