The US Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) has announced the launch of ECA 2.0. an initiative, the association says, designed to advance advocacy impact, expand engagement across the industry, and build a more sustainable platform for long-term value creation. Launched at the Society of Independent Show Oganisers’ SISO CEO Summit in Kiawah Island, South Carolina, 10 March, ECA 2.0 represents a new phase of growth for ECA which is doubling down on its advocacy work in Washington, D.C., while introducing new opportunities for industry leaders and advocates to engage in support of ECA’s public policy priorities.
ECA is also launching new programmes, services, and tools that more closely connect stakeholders across the industry to the action inside the Beltway.
This next phase in ECA’s work highlights the ongoing critical need for a strong, unified public policy voice for an industry that drives more than $400bn in economic activity annually and employs 2.6m Americans.
“ECA has made significant progress in a relatively short period of time, and ECA 2.0 is about building on that foundation with purpose and ambition,” said Fernando Fischer, chair of the ECA Board of Directors and president, Americas for RX. “As our industry continues to navigate a complex policy environment, this effort will help ensure that ECA remains responsive, strengthens its connection to the industry, and expands its engagement with policymakers at all levels of government.”
Since its launch in 2021, ECA has helped secure several important public policy wins for the industry, including advances in international travel, workforce development, scam prevention, tax policy, and more.
The development of ECA 2.0 was supported by SG Strategy, including Christoph Schedl and Jakob Kjeldsmark, who partnered with the ECA Board and member associations to help shape the initiative.
As part of this next chapter, ECA also announced that Tommy Goodwin has been appointed the alliance’s first president and CEO. Goodwin, who joined ECA as its founding in 2021, most recently served as executive vice-president.
“From day one, Tommy has helped build ECA from the ground up and consistently delivered policy wins that matter to the industry,” said Hervé Sedky, secretary of the ECA Board and president and CEO of Emerald.
For more on ECA and its work on behalf of the industry, click here.
ECA’s member associations include:
Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA)
Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA)
International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE)
International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM)
International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)
Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO)
UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry
Source: www.exhibitionworld.co.uk
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