ECA Advocacy Update: July 17, 2024
1. ECA-supported 529 bill moves in House |
The big picture: The legislation would expand qualified expenses under tax-advantaged Section 529 savings plans to include postsecondary training and credentialing, such as licenses and professional certifications including:
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ECA's view: "ECA believes that this legislation would transform 529 plans from college savings plans into career savings plans... and help workers secure in-demand, good-paying jobs like those that our industry offers."
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- Go deeper: Read ECA's written statement for the record to the House Ways & Means Committee here.
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What's next? While Congress is unlikely to pass 529 plan expansion this year, last week's developments help efforts to ensure it is included in next year's broader tax reform efforts, which some are calling the "Super Bowl of Tax."
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2. Capitol Hill staff visit Classic Exhibits |
Following on from Legislative Action Day, Classic Exhibits in Portland, Oregon recently hosted Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer's staff for a site visit.
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- Why it matters: For 90 minutes, Rep. Chavez-DeRemer's staff got to learn more about the business events industry and see how exhibits for trade shows and special events are designed and produced.
- At the same time, they got a first-hand understanding of why the industry is laser focused on getting the government involved with helping us attract and train our next generation workforce.
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In their words: "The legislative staffers both in DC and in our home state of Oregon were quick to pick up on the significance of our economic contributions, both as a business and in providing good job opportunities for individuals," said Katina Rigall Zipay from Classic Exhibits. "More follow up meetings are planned, and they are connecting us with several local colleges and trade schools to recruit our future workforce."
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- Thank you to Katina and Kevin Carty for making this important Congressional education opportunity happen.
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You can do it, too! ECA's Show Floor Program can help you and your organization host policymakers. Learn more about it by watching this video.
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Ryan Tuthill (Field Representative, Rep. Chavez-DeRemer), Rebecca Wright (District Director,
Rep. Chavez-DeRemer), and Kevin Carty at Classic Exhibits in Portland Oregon.
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3. EU/UK post-election priorities released |
After recent elections across the pond, leading industry associations shared their priorities for the newly-elected political leaders in Brussels in London.
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- In Brussels, the European Exhibition Industry Alliance, in collaboration with Visit Brussels, CityDNA, and the Joint Meetings Industry Council, published Meetings Industry Manifesto: Priorities for the Next EU Leadership, which highlights the industry as a "positive impact sector" throughout Europe.
- In London, UKEVENTS, the umbrella organization for the UK events industry, unveiled its manifesto, which has three key priorities: developing a nationwide events strategy, tax allowances, and tying major events with government priorities.
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Around the world, advocacy that advances the business events industry's priorities is taking center stage.
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- TSNN recently published a blog post on recent global advocacy developments and key priorities across geographies.
- The Iceberg released two videos on advocacy efforts taking place in Brussels and Washington, DC.
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4. In case you missed it... |
- Exhibit City News and TSNN shared highlights from last month's ESCA Summer Educational Conference, which included an Exhibitions Industry Collective panel on industry collaboration.
- EDPA members highlighted industry career opportunities at the American School Counselor Association Annual Conference in Kansas City.
- ECA celebrated the recent retirements of two of its co-founders, Bob Priest-Heck and David DuBois.
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Thomas F. (Tommy) Goodwin
Vice President
tommy.goodwin@exhibitionsconferencesalliance.org
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