WASHINGTON, DC / BRUSSELS—The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) and International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES) are pleased to announce a new partnership focused on global collaboration and knowledge sharing.

ECA and IFES strongly believe that the future success and growth of the global events industry will increasingly rely on cross-border partnerships between like-minded organisations and stakeholder groups working to address common challenges. Within this context, both organisations look forward to collaborating on educational efforts, issue and policy forums, advocacy support, and other joint opportunities to serve the needs of the broader community.

“This partnership with the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), is going to make a real difference. ECA understands how trade shows affect not just the business events industry, but also communities and the global economy. They recognize the importance of what we do,” says IFES President, Phillipe Beille. “Together, we will raise awareness of the exhibition and events industry through a single, powerful voice! At IFES, we believe in the strength of working together, and recognise that partnerships like this one can help more people understand how valuable our industry is. We're looking forward to what this partnership will bring and how it will help us make a bigger impact.”

IFES Executive Director, Uta Goretzky, agrees, “Knowing how fruitful the cooperation with EEIA (European Exhibition Industry Alliance) is, where all European exhibitions bodies are aligned, we are looking forward to working together on advocacy as well as on practical issues in our day-to-day business with ECA in the American market. Working together will strengthen our voice and help to share knowledge.”

“From advancing sustainability and attracting our next-generation workforce to harnessing new technology and making international commerce more seamless, the challenges facing the business events industry are global in nature and will require global solutions,” said Tommy Goodwin, ECA Vice President. “That’s why ECA looks forward to working with IFES and its international members to share best practices and identify solutions that we can bring to policymakers in support of the industry’s advancement, both in the U.S. and around the world.”

About the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance:

The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) is a coalition of leading professional, industry, and labor organizations dedicated to the advancement of the face-to-face business events industry. To learn more about ECA and its efforts, please visit www.exhibitionsconferencesalliance.org.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact Tommy Goodwin: +1 (703) 672-0780 | tommy.goodwin@exhibitionsconferencesalliance.org.

About the International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services:

The International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES) is a global association dedicated to representing the interests of companies and organizations providing products and services to the exhibition and event industry. IFES strives to promote and support excellence within the industry by fostering collaboration, innovation, and best practices among industry professionals worldwide. For more information, please visit www.ifesnet.org.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact Robyn D’Alessandro: +27 67 684 3376 | robyn@ifesnet.org.