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.

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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.