A record-setting group of 226 business and professional events industry leaders and advocates traveled to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as part of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance’s annual Legislative Action Day.

Participants traveled from across the United States and around the world to meet with members of Congress about how they can strengthen the business and professional events industry’s ability to create new jobs, reduce economic uncertainty, safeguard affordability for our small businesses and those we serve, and ensure that the U.S. remains the premier global destination for events. Their message: our industry is a proven engine of economic resilience and growth, and it needs a policy environment to match.

“ECA Legislative Action Day is a powerful reminder of what makes our industry so special,” said Fernando Fischer, President, Americas for RX and Chair of the ECA Board of Directors. “Business and professional events bring people together, strengthen small businesses, support jobs, and help communities grow. By showing up on Capitol Hill in record numbers, we ensured that our elected officials understand both the impact of our events and the policy choices that will help shape them going forward.”

Legislative Action Day focused on three issues from ECA’s 2026 public policy agenda critical to the future of trade shows, conferences, meetings, conventions, and other business and professional events: trade and tariffs, future workforce development, and the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) — all central to the industry’s ability to continue serving as a growth engine for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and communities nationwide.

“In just a few years, ECA Legislative Action Day has become the advocacy event for our industry,” said Mark Bogdansky, Vice President, Trade Shows and Community Engagement for the Auto Care Association and Vice Chair of the ECA Board of Directors. “With a who’s who of industry leaders on Capitol Hill today, we sent a clear message: the business and professional events industry is engaged, organized, and ready to work constructively with policymakers to support economic growth, job creation, and American competitiveness.”

Beyond Legislative Action Day, ECA provides opportunities for industry leaders and advocates to make their voices heard throughout the year through the ECA Advocacy Network, its one-stop policy engagement platform.

“Today proved that everyone in our industry can take action,” said Chris Griffin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Crew XP and Treasurer of the ECA Board of Directors. “Whether meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, contacting Congress from home, or hosting elected officials on the show floor, the more we all get involved, the greater impact we can have.”

ECA would also like to thank its Legislative Action Day partners, without whom today’s event would not be possible: Freeman, Clarion Events, RX, Emerald, Informa, SG Strategy, the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, CNTV, Lippman Connects, CustomReg, Encore, Hargrove by Encore, Candr Talent, Nteractive, Map Your Show, The Expo Group, CORT Events, Connections Housing, the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, MGM Resorts, and Expo Convention Contractors.

About the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance:

The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) is a coalition of leading associations comprising the unified public policy voice of the business and professional events industry.

ECA’s member associations include:

• Consumer Technology Association (CTA)
• 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)
• PCMA
• Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO)

Steel topping out ceremony marks the completion of highest steel construction at the new venue

The Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex reached a major milestone yesterday with the steel topping out ceremony at the new Red Hat Amphitheater. This placement of the highest vertical steel at the construction site marks major progress toward this new future of live music in downtown Raleigh. 

This steel topping comes at a significant moment as well, with Red Hat recommitting to maintaining their naming rights at the venue through 2030. “Red Hat’s DNA is deeply rooted in Raleigh’s spirit of community and innovation,” said Leigh Day, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Red Hat. “We are thrilled to continue this partnership with a venue that defines the rhythm and heartbeat of downtown Raleigh.”

The new Red Hat Amphitheater will be an exciting evolution of the venue. The new Amp will feature enhanced amenities for artists and fans alike, ensuring that residents of Raleigh will continue to enjoy a venue that attracts rockstars for great nights of live entertainment in the heart of downtown. 

This ceremony was also a celebration of the Raleigh community beyond just the venue. Oak Town Blues Band performed at the event, representing Community Music School, a local non-profit that provides affordable music lessons and instruments. A guitar from local Harry’s Guitar Shop, a Raleigh institution for over 40 years, adorned the beam as it was raised to its place atop the amp. Celebratory treats were provided to attendees by local Two Roosters Ice Cream.

“It’s amazing to finally be here, seeing our new amp take shape” said Kerry Painter, Executive Director of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex. “We’ve been looking at designs and renderings for such a long time, so it’s exciting for us to see the new venue and to be able to show that to the whole community too. We want everyone to look forward with us at what a great thing this is going to be for concertgoers, shops, restaurants, hotels, and everyone Red Hat Amp has a positive economic impact on.” 

“This is another major milestone as we move toward a more vibrant south downtown corridor” said Marchell Adams-David, Raleigh’s City Manager. “All these projects contribute to Raleigh increasingly being recognized as one of the best cities in the nation.”

Next steps in the new venue’s construction include construction of the façade and enclosure of the structure, installation of seating, concrete work, installation of lights, screens, sound equipment, signage, and backstage spaces. The new venue will open its doors in 2027.

Meanwhile, the existing venue will be decommissioned and demolished to make room for the construction of the expansion of the Amphitheater’s sister venue, the Raleigh Convention Center. 

For more information, please visit RedHatAmphitheater.com/Relocation.

New research with Oxford Economics finds business events generated US$1.3 trillion in direct spending and supported US$1.8 trillion in total GDP worldwide in 2025

The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition and standards, today released the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study Executive Summary, produced in association with Oxford Economics. 

The study provides a comprehensive view of the scale, scope and impact of business events worldwide, measuring activity across more than 180 countries. 

• In 2025, business events brought together 1.65 billion participants globally and generated US$1.3 trillion in direct spending, representing a 12.2% increase over 2019 levels. 
• Including direct, indirect and induced impacts, the sector supported US$3.1 trillion in total business sales, US$1.8 trillion in total GDP and 24.2 million jobs worldwide.

“Business events are essential infrastructure for a connected, innovative and resilient global economy,” said Amy Calvert, President and CEO, Events Industry Council. “This study gives our industry credible, current data to demonstrate what we have long known: when people gather with purpose, they create economic value, strengthen communities, accelerate knowledge exchange and build the trust required to move ideas into action.”

The research, which is part of an ongoing rollout of advocacy tools and messaging, also shows that business events generated US$759 billion in direct GDP and supported 9.7 million direct jobs globally in 2025. Direct business sales supported by business event activity averaged US$785 per participant, while trade shows directly supported US$180 billion in spending.

The report places the sector’s impact in broader economic context. In 2025, the business events sector directly generated $1.3 billion in direct sales, higher than many large global sectors, including manufacturing sectors, such air transport, telecommunications equipment, air transport, textiles and aerospace. 

“This research is an important advocacy tool for every sector of our industry,” said Stephanie Harris, EIC Chair and President, The Incentive Research Foundation. “It helps destinations, venues, organisers, suppliers, associations and corporate leaders tell a stronger, more unified story about the role business events play in job creation, workforce development, innovation and long-term economic growth. The data reinforces that our sector is not discretionary — it is a driver of progress.”

The study also captures the continued recovery and future outlook of the global business events sector. By the fourth quarter of 2025, EIC’s Global Business Events Barometer showed RFP activity at 102% of 2019 levels and hotel group room nights at 97% of 2019 levels, indicating that global business events activity has recovered near pre-pandemic levels. Oxford Economics forecasts that direct spending attributable to business events will reach US$1.6 trillion by 2028, with direct employment reaching 10.4 million jobs.

“Business events have demonstrated remarkable resilience and continued relevance in a complex global environment,” said Adam Sacks, President of Tourism Economics for Oxford Economics. “The findings show not only the magnitude of direct spending and employment, but also the broader economic ripple effects created through supply chains, wages and local communities. The sector’s catalytic value — including business development, innovation, research collaboration and knowledge transfer — further underscores why business events matter to economies and societies around the world.”

The study defines business events as gatherings of 10 or more participants for a minimum of four hours in a contracted venue, excluding social, formal educational and recreational activities. The research process included primary research from a global survey of more than 1,600 event organisers, venues, destination marketing organisations, suppliers and other industry participants, as well as analysis of country-level studies, third-party industry data, EIC Global Business Events Barometer data and Oxford Economics’ global economic and business travel forecasts.

The report also highlights the catalytic effects of business events — the broader outcomes that occur when people gather. These include new business opportunities, customer leads, partnerships, professional development, knowledge transfer, research and development, innovation, health and technical advances, human and organisational capital, and productivity gains.

According to survey respondents, the value of face-to-face engagement remains difficult to replace. Seventy percent identified relationship-building through face-to-face interaction as the event outcome most difficult to replicate, while an additional 12% cited community, trust and emotional engagement. Respondents also reported that participation in in-person events increased awareness by an average of 37%, while 28% of revenue would be lost without hosting in-person events.

“The future of business events depends on our ability to measure impact, communicate value and advocate with confidence,” Calvert said. “This study belongs to the entire global business events community. We are deeply grateful to Oxford Economics, our sponsors, contributors, strategic partners, member organisations and volunteer leaders for making this work possible.”

EIC extends its gratitude to the organisations whose support helped make the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study possible, including contributors Amadeus, Cvent and GainingEdge; Global Visionary Sponsors MPI and PCMA; and Founding Sponsors Caesars Entertainment, Freeman, Hilton, IMEX Group, Incentive Research Foundation, Javits Center, Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, The mci Group, MGM Resorts International, Resorts World Las Vegas, Society of Independent Show Organisers, SITE Foundation, U.S. Travel Association and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas.

Additional insights from the study including regional insights, plus the Q1 2026 Events Barometer, will be released within the next month. 

View executive summary.

The City of Thomasville was recently awarded a $500,000 multiyear grant from Fox Gives to fund essential life-safety and accessibility improvements at the historic Thomasville Municipal Auditorium. Fox Gives is the nonprofit arm of Atlanta’s Fox Theatre.

“The Municipal Auditorium has long stood as a centerpiece of civic life in Downtown Thomasville, where generations have gathered for performances, public meetings, concerts, and moments that not only cultivate community, but promote tourism,” said April Norton, Managing Director of Marketing and Communications. “This grant ensures that our historic auditorium will continue to serve as a vibrant cultural and community gathering space for years to come.”

As a cornerstone of Thomasville’s cultural landscape, the Auditorium hosts performances, events and gatherings that strengthen community connection and contribute to the city’s vibrancy. The planned improvements will address fire suppression, structural repairs, key systems upgrades, and accessibility, making the venue more inclusive, safer, welcoming, and functional for future use.

“We’re proud to partner again with the City of Thomasville on the full rehabilitation of this exceptional local and statewide historic landmark,” said Leigh Burns, Fox Gives Director of Community Partnerships. “Beyond the importance of reusing the building, the investment of public funding to preserve this type of structure is critically important. Once a common civic landmark, municipal auditoriums are becoming increasingly rare across Georgia’s architectural landscape.”

The City previously received a $22,500 grant for planning activities related to the upcoming full rehabilitation of the historic landmark.

The grant is part of a $1 million multiyear investment, to two historic theatres, from Fox Gives—marking the first time the program has awarded two multiyear grants in a single year—demonstrating a continued commitment to preserving Georgia’s historic performance spaces. Since 2008, Fox Gives has invested more than $5.7 million in historic theaters and cultural landmarks throughout Georgia and the Southeast.

For more information about the Fox Gives Grant or the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium, please visit Thomasville.org or call the City of Thomasville Visitors Center at 229-228-7977.

Our International Association of Venue Managers community continues to grow, and we are excited to welcome the newest members who joined us in April 2026. Thank you for being part of the association and helping shape the future of venue management.

Hannah Adkins, F&M Bank Arena, Clarksville, TN
Alex Andres, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Dean Avgiris, The Mobile Locker Co, Huntingdon Valley, PA
Shane Berliner, Floreano Convention Center, Rochester, NY
Rex Berman, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Raquel Brown, FedExForum, Memphis, TN
William Brown, Appalachian State University, Pfafftown, NC
Kristen Bryant, Alameda County Fair & Event Center, Pleasanton, CA
DaVon Buckner, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Phil Burns, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Tim Carter, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Tara Coffeen, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Alex Cogley, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Manon-Nicole Cook, International Spy Museum, Washington, DC
Justin Cowgill, SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA
Julia Craig, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, Harrisburg, PA
John Davis, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Ronald Davis, Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe, AZ
Erin Davis-Cook, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Kevin Dooley, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Kristie Dore, Palm Springs Convention Center – OVG, Palm Springs, CA
Cooper Downerd, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH
Chiquita Dubose, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Grace DuBose, Baylor University, Waco, TX
Travis Dymowski, Wings Event Center, Kalamazoo, MI
Grei Eaddy, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Leif Emminger, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Sarah Fink, Keeneland, Lexington, KY
Christopher Flamos, Anthony James Partners, Richmond, VA
Erica Frock, T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
Joshua Fronk, Blumenthal Arts, Charlotte, NC
Kiely Gagnier, Floreano Convention Center, Rochester, NY
Darius Garner, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Brittany Gaspard, CAJUNDOME & Convention Center, Lafayette, LA
Annie Gaston, Omaha Performing Arts, Omaha, NE
Aisah Gemora, Stanford Live, Stanford, CA
Amy Giebel, Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC
Sawyer Hanway, T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
Roseann Hernandez, Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Stephon Hicks, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Anthony Hodgins, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA
Auset Hood, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Robert Horsfield, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Darrin Howard, The Fairgrounds Nashville, Nashville, TN
Alan Huang, Union Omaha, Papillion, NE
Kelly Iosello, At Your Service, LLC, Chicago, IL
Mario Irrera, Palm Springs Convention Center – OVG, Palm Springs, CA
Darryl Jackson, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Joseph Jenci, Palm Springs Convention Center – OVG, Palm Springs, CA
Brynn Johnston, INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS
John Jolly, Spectrohm, Inc., McLean, VA
Tyler Joyce, Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe, AZ
Daniel Judy, ESa, Nashville, TN
Ashley Kraus, CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Grace Kubala, St. Charles Convention Center – OVG, Saint Charles, MO
Ken Lagares, Floreano Convention Center, Rochester, NY
Jason Levering, Omaha Performing Arts, Omaha, NE
Devin Lewis, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Brian Lillquist, Kinetic Events Staffing, Orinda, CA
Armando Limon, Palm Springs Convention Center – OVG, Palm Springs, CA
DaSonya Livingston, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Cesar Loya, Intuit Dome, INGLEWOOD, CA
Bryce Mahaffey, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Cristina Martinez, CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Linnie McIntyre, SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA
Kenya Medina Hernandez, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX
Amelia Mehr, Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham, NC
Michelangelo Merino, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Rebecca Miner, Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, CA
Gary Mintner, Boise Centre, Boise, ID
Chauncey Palmer, Palm Springs Convention Center – OVG, Palm Springs, CA
Casey Qian, Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC
Brady Ramey, Palm Springs Convention Center – OVG, Palm Springs, CA
Maddie Regan, Cincinnati Arts Association, Cincinnati, OH
Richard Rocha, SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA
Tony Rogers, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Brittany Rybak, Florence Center, Florence, SC
Julie Secory, Lancaster Performing Arts Center, Lancaster, CA
Grace Shader, Alameda County Fair & Event Center, Pleasanton, CA
Catherine Sivoraphet, Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services, San Diego, CA
Brittany Smith, Enterprise Center/Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis, MO
Ralph Spry, Gogue Performing Arts Center, Auburn, AL
Amelia Stalter, Curtis Culwell Center, Garland, TX
Camille Steele, Palm Springs Convention Center – OVG, Palm Springs, CA
Chris Thomas, Diversified, Plano, TX
Alice Tiffany, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Brandon Ulloa, Palm Springs Convention Center – OVG, Palm Springs, CA
Julia Vargas, Alameda County Fair & Event Center, Pleasanton, CA
Tiffany Vidales, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Hannah Vieth, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Emma Wallace, The Ranch Events Complex, Loveland, CO
Ryan Watt, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Jack Wentzell, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Lisa Wilton, Lansing Center Complex/Legends Global, Lansing, MI
Kurt Wisenbaugh, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Amos Zetino, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA