ECA Advocacy Update: May 10, 2024
1. The countdown to #ECALAD 2024 is on! |
It's less than 4 weeks until ECA Legislative Action Day, which will take place in Washington, DC on Thursday, May 30.
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- Why it's important: 130+ industry leaders will be advocating for Congress to help the industry attract and train its future workforce and further reduce visa wait times, making this the largest industry gathering on Capitol Hill ever! 🎉
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Interested in joining? While ECA Legislative Action Day has reached capacity, a waiting list has been established here.
Don't forget: This year’s ECA Legislative Action Day will be held in conjunction with two fantastic events also taking place that week in Washington, DC:
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- On Tuesday, May 28, mdg, a Freeman Company, will present From Hypothetical to Reality: How AI is Actually Changing Events, an executive roundtable in conjunction with Lippman Connects’ Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF) and the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO). To RSVP, please click here.
- On Wednesday, May 29, the ECA Legislative Action Day platinum partner Lippman Connects' Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF) will bring together association and independent organizers to exchange insights, trade opportunities, and develop top-to-top relationships. To register for ECEF, please click here.
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A special "Thank you!" to our industry partners, without whom ECA Legislative Action Day would not be possible!
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- Interested in partnership opportunities? Reach out to Tommy Goodwin to learn more about how your organization can get involved with #ECALAD!
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2. EDPA members virtually hit Capitol Hill |
In recent weeks, Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA) members from across the country have been taking part in virtual meetings with U.S. Senate offices in support of ECA's top workforce policy priorities:
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- The JOBS Act, which would allow students to use federal Pell Grants to afford high-quality, shorter-term job training programs for the first time. By expanding eligibility, the Pell Grant program would help close the skills gap and ensure workers have the training and credentials they need for careers in high-demand fields, including those in the business events industry.
- The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act, which would allow 529 savings plans to cover the costs of workforce training and credentialing programs. By covering tuition, exam, and training costs associated with obtaining workforce certifications and licenses, this legislation would transform 529 plans from college saving plans into career savings plans and help workers secure in-demand, good-paying jobs.
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In their words: "EDPA members stepped up once again to advocate for our industry," said Dasher Lowe, EDPA Executive Director. "Our industry's workforce challenges will not solve themselves. Efforts like this with our elected officials are critical to solving the issue. Thank you to all those who participated and continue to be advocate for our industry."
Go deeper: EDPA has been at the forefront of efforts to help attract and develop the industry's future workforce. Watch this great video to learn more.
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3. Report impersonation fraud to the FTC |
With the new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule in place, ECA is encouraging the industry to report impersonation fraud attempts (e.g., hotel reservation scams and email list sale scams) directly to the FTC.
Here's how: Anyone can follow these steps to report scam efforts to the FTC:
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- Go to this website: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/.
- Click the “Report Now” button, which will take you to the next screen.
- Then click the “An impersonator” box (it’s the top left option).
- From there, select “Well-known or trusted business” (it's the top right option).
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From there, just follow the prompts to add report details, details about the scammer, a description of the fraud attempt, etc.
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- One important note: Not all of the prompts and questions will be relevant to your report. (This particular FTC form collects all sorts of fraud attempts, not just scams that targets the industry.)
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If you have any questions, or need help, please reach out to ECA at any time!
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4. In case you missed it... |
- Trade Show Executive previewed ECA Legislative Action Day and highlighted recent workforce development efforts across the industry.
- Trade Show News Network published ECA's monthly blog post, which asked "What's the latest on visa wait times?"
- The Iceberg shared the latest issue of its Business Events World newsletter, which focuses the social impact of business events around the world.
- IMEX Frankfurt will include several events featuring ECA. Here's a schedule of where you can find ECA at #IMEX24 next week.
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Thomas F. (Tommy) Goodwin
Vice President
tommy.goodwin@exhibitionsconferencesalliance.org
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