WASHINGTON, DC – The Exhibition and Conference Alliance (ECA), a newly formed advocacy group, is dedicated to reviving and advancing the in-person business events sector. Its mission is to help government officials understand the important role these events play in the economy and job creation.
Tommy Goodwin, head of government relations and corporate advocacy, is ECA’s new vice president of government affairs. He is tasked with helping the group educate policymakers about the economic and job creation impacts of live trade events, while advocating for the industry’s shared interests in maintaining a favorable operating environment in the United States.
Goodwin has more than 20 years of experience leading a broad range of government relations, public affairs and advocacy work for several globally recognized associations and corporations, including Oracle Corp., AARP and the Project Management Institute (PMI). In addition, he has served as a research fellow at Harvard Business School, specializing in the international political and legal environment in which businesses operate.
Recognized by The hill Listed in the association’s 2020 “Top Lobbyists” list, Goodwin holds a BBA from George Washington University, an MBA from Auburn University, and a postgraduate degree in European Union law from King’s College London. He also holds a Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and a Project Management Professional certification from PMI. He currently serves as president of the National Institute of Lobbying & Ethics and is a past chair of ASAE’s Government Relations and Advocacy Professionals Advisory Council.
Trade Fair Manager I had the opportunity to sit down with Goodwin — albeit virtually — and here are highlights from our conversation.
In February, you were appointed Vice President of Government Affairs for the Exhibition and Conference Alliance (ECA). What attracted you to this organization?
Through my affiliation with ASAE, I was able to get to know other organizations in the broader business events space: BestCities, ICCA, IMEX, and PCMA and I was able to speak at some of their conferences. I was able to learn a little more about the business events industry and the many great people who work in it.
In addition to being an advocate and lobbyist, I also enjoy helping create and shape advocacy programs for associations.
Over the past 10 years or so, I have helped establish, grow, reshape and evolve programs such as AARP, LeadingAge and PMI.
In this context, ECA seemed like a great opportunity to help build a great organization with a great mission, supporting great people across the sector, and this is a masterstroke for me.
You will contribute to the achievement of the group’s mission, which is to raise awareness among policy makers about the impact of live business events on the economy and job creation. Can you explain?
The trade show industry may be the biggest and best industry that people don’t think about, but they should. The statistics speak for themselves.
Overall:
- 6 million jobs across the country depend on live events
- $396 billion in direct spending
- 7 million exhibitors, 80% of which are small businesses
- 99% of business event companies have fewer than 500 employees; 90% have fewer than 20
B2B:
- 9,400 exhibitions nationwide
- $101 billion total impact on GDP in 2019
And it all disappeared overnight, last March.
In Washington, DC and across the country, not only did we tell policymakers the story of the devastation the industry has suffered over the past year, we also talked about what is missing in their local communities without trade events.
- $55 billion in hotel spending
- $32 billion in spending for airlines
- $30 billion in spending on restaurants and retail
- $29 billion in land transportation spending
- $130 billion in total taxes ($51 billion federal; $79 billion state and local)
- Nearly $1 Trillion in Lost Value Created at Business Events
That’s why we’re asking them to help us, whether it’s by supporting safe reopening in states and cities across the country or by championing incentives on Capitol Hill to entice attendees and exhibitors to return to in-person events.
What surprised you most about the trade show industry?
Two things particularly struck me…
First of all, it is clear that small businesses truly are the backbone of the business events ecosystem.
- 99% of business event companies have fewer than 500 employees
- 80% of the 1.7 million exhibiting companies are small businesses
Second, I was struck by the sheer number of jobs created by the business events industry nationwide: more than 6.6 million jobs. That’s why the resumption of exhibitions and conferences is critical to reviving a broad sector of the economy and getting Americans back to work.
What makes trade shows so important?
Sometimes we only realize what we are missing after it is gone. Think of what we are missing without trade shows, exhibitions and conferences.…
- Missed connections
- Fewer new product launches
- Less innovation
- No growth in activity
And it goes on… missed leads, no access to decision makers, difficulty identifying new partners, loss of media coverage, etc.
Everyone loves Shark Tank, right? Each of these 9,400 shows held across the country each year is a mini-Shark Tank in itself!
Face-to-face trade events bring together buyers, sellers, investors and potential partners, who come together to support consumers and every major industry you can think of.
And, for small businesses, 46% of them are losing one of their key sales channels that helps them stay afloat.
If you’re a small crafter, it’s one thing to set up an Etsy shop and cross your fingers… It’s another to exhibit at a trade show where you see 5,000 to 10,000 interested buyers in three days.
Related. ECA Legislative Action Day focused on the adoption of the Hospitality and Retail Jobs Recovery Act.
Contact Tommy Goodwin at (703) 672-0780 or tommy.goodwin@ecalliance.net
Want to get involved? Sign up to participate in the 2021 Legislative Action Day.