WASHINGTON, DC—The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the unified advocacy voice of the business events industry, is pleased to announce that the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has joined ECA as its newest alliance partner.

“Whether its supporting smart decarbonization and sustainability measures or advancing policies that help advance seamless international travel and commerce, our advocacy efforts are stronger when industry leaders from around the world speak to policymakers with one voice,” said Hervé Sedky, Emerald Holding Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the ECA board of directors. “That’s why I’m thrilled to welcome ICCA and its global community of international association meetings leaders to ECA, which will strengthen ECA’s ability to tell the story of how our industry drives economic growth and societal change to the policymakers that matter.”

Established in 2021, ECA works to ensure that policymakers in Washington, DC and beyond understand and support the important impact that the business events industry has on driving economic growth, supporting job creation, empowering small businesses, and helping to solve our most urgent societal challenges.

ECA will provide ICCA with an opportunity to advocate for its members in North America, and to join a group of like-minded organizations working toward the advancement of the industry's collective business and sustainability objectives.

"ICCA is thrilled to partner with ECA and move forward together toward the shared objectives of advocating for our industry in North America," said Senthil Gopinath, ICCA’s Chief Executive Officer. "This partnership promises to provide mutual support and resources to advance the goals of serving our respective members, promoting sustainability, and building a legacy that reflects our mission, vision, and values." 

ICCA joins ECA's coalition of alliance partners who represent the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, event and meeting organizers, suppliers, venues, and hard-working men and women that comprise the U.S. and global business events landscape.

• Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA)
• Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA)
• International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE)
• International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM)
• International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)
• Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
• Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO)
• Trade Show Labor Alliance
• UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry

ICCA will be represented on the ECA board of directors by Senthil Gopinath, ICCA’s Chief Executive Officer. 

About the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance 

The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) is a coalition of leading professional, industry, and labor associations that comprise the unified advocacy voice of the business events industry. To learn more about ECA and its work to advance the interests of the industry, please visit https://www.exhibitionsconferencesalliance.org/.

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

About the International Congress and Convention Association

The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) is a global community and knowledge hub for the international association meetings industry. Founded in 1963, ICCA specialises in the international association and governmental meetings sector, offering unrivalled data, education, and communication channels, as well as business development and networking opportunities. Today, ICCA is one of the most prominent organisations in — and advocates for — the world of international meetings. Initiatives such as the ICCA Association Community offers associations across the world education, connections, tools, and resources to help them organise more effective and successful meetings with the global network of ICCA member suppliers.  Read more: https://www.iccaworld.org/.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact Claudia Bastidas.