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Dear ESCA Members,
I had the pleasure of attending Legislative Action Day on May 30, where 143 industry professionals came together to make our voices heard on Capitol Hill. Divided by state, we represented the diverse segments of our industry and had the opportunity to engage with both familiar faces and new allies.
During this impactful day, we focused on two key areas critical to the growth of our industry: workforce development and visa processing.
Workforce Development:
We advocated for the expansion of the Pell Grant program and the inclusion of 529 college funds for training programs. This initiative is essential to support workforce growth in various ways, recognizing that not everyone pursues a traditional college path. Our message was clear: legislative support for these workforce development initiatives is crucial for our industry’s future. With 2.6 million Americans employed and $399 billion in direct spending, the business events industry significantly contributes to the U.S. economy. Expanding these educational programs will help sustain this growth.
Visa Processing:
We addressed the significant delays in post-COVID visa processing. We proposed two essential solutions to mitigate these delays:
- Reinvesting visa fees into the program for better technologies.
- Reallocating resources to reduce the backlog and improve the system.
Current wait times for visas are critically long, with 849 days in Mexico City, 640 days in Bogota, Colombia, and 499 days in Mumbai, India. Reducing these wait times is essential for the smooth functioning of our industry and for maintaining international business relationships.
It is crucial to note that our advocacy efforts are supported on a bipartisan and bicameral basis, ensuring broad support for these non-polarizing issues.
Legislative Action Day is an annual event, but it should be the starting point for ongoing engagement with your congressmen and legislators throughout the year. Our industry’s voice is powerful, with the potential to create a significant impact given the economic contribution of our trade shows.
Let’s build on this momentum and continue to strengthen our relationships with policymakers.
Best regards,
Julie Kagy
Executive Director, ESCA
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