WASHINGTON, D.C. The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the unified public policy voice of the U.S. business and professional events industry, has launched the ECA Ambassadors Circle, a new initiative designed to recognize, empower, and engage industry leaders committed to advocacy and public policy.
The new program forms part of ECA 2.0 and will bring together a select group of industry leaders for year-round programming focused on advocacy, education, professional development, and engagement with policymakers.
Through the ECA Ambassadors Circle, participants will receive access to specialized advocacy training and education, VIP opportunities at selected ECA events, private roundtables with policymakers, and other opportunities to help strengthen the industry’s voice in Washington, D.C., state capitals, and across the wider business and professional events community.
ECA Ambassadors Circle Focuses on Industry Advocacy
According to ECA, the new initiative is intended to create deeper and more consistent engagement between industry leaders and policymakers.
Fernando Fischer, President, Americas, for RX and Chair of the ECA Board of Directors, said the decisions made in Washington, D.C., and state capitals can have a significant impact on the future of the business and professional events industry.
He said the ECA Ambassadors Circle will equip committed advocates with the tools, access, and year-round opportunities needed to communicate the industry’s importance to policymakers and stakeholders.
The initiative is positioned as a key element of ECA 2.0, the organization’s broader approach to increasing industry engagement and strengthening advocacy efforts.
28 Industry Leaders Join Inaugural ECA Ambassadors Circle
The inaugural ECA Ambassadors Circle cohort includes 28 business and professional events industry leaders representing event organizers, venues, service providers, associations, destination organizations, and other industry segments.
The inaugural members are:
- Mary Bender, Vice President, Sales & Corporate Operations, Taffy Event Strategies
- Alexis Berggren, General Manager, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
- Jay Blankenship, Principal Owner, Breakpoint Growth
- Marie Browne, Senior Vice President, RX Global
- Andre Burns II, Vice President, Material Handling & Logistics, Shepard Exposition Services
- Shawn Cheng, Regional Director, North America, International Congress and Convention Association
- Rob Cohen, Co-Founder, Evolving Strategies and Xperiential Marketplace
- Rich Curran, Chief Executive Officer and President, Expo Convention Contractors
- Robyn Davis, Owner, Exhibitors WINH and Author of Exhibit Smarter
- Carrie Ferenac, Owner and President, CNTV
- Marc Ghafoori, Senior Vice President, Client Experience, HERITAGE
- Kate Hawley, Event Director, Snowbound Expo, Raccoon Media Group
- Liz Irving, Chief Executive Officer, Clarion Events North America
- Matthew Little, Vice President, Nuvista Event Services
- Megan Martin, Founder and Principal, M Squared Dynamics
- Michelle Metter, Partner & Co-Founder, Fast Forward
- Abby Nero, Regional Vice President, Map Your Show
- Don Pietranczyk
- Lynn Reves, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Results, Exhibitus
- Steve Riches, Chief Executive Officer and Principal, Laguna Displays
- Damon Ross, Senior Group Vice President, CORT Events
- Stephanie Selesnick, President, International Trade Information
- Mark Shadwick, Director, Business Development, GES
- Rich Stone, Chief Executive Officer, 3e by EXPOCAD
- Rich Vallaster III, Senior Director, Industry Relations & Thought Leadership, Momentive Software
- Steve Walker, Executive Director, City Wide Sales, MGM Resorts International
- Rachel Wimberly, Senior Vice President, M&A and Business Development, Easyfairs US
- Sandy Yi-Davis, Founder, Strategic Meeting International
New Program to Provide Year-Round Advocacy Opportunities
ECA Ambassadors will have an active role in supporting the organization’s advocacy efforts throughout the year. The program will also provide opportunities for members to expand their knowledge of public policy issues affecting exhibitions, conferences, trade shows, and other business events.
Benefits include specialized advocate education, professional-development opportunities, VIP access to select ECA events, and invitations to private discussions with policymakers.
The program is also intended to recognize the contributions of industry professionals who actively support efforts to promote policies that benefit the broader events ecosystem.
ECA Seeks Stronger Policy Support for Events Industry
Tommy Goodwin, President and Chief Executive Officer of ECA, welcomed the inaugural cohort and highlighted their existing commitment to advocacy.
According to Goodwin, the ambassadors will help ECA communicate the economic and business importance of the events industry while supporting policies aimed at creating jobs, reducing economic uncertainty, protecting affordability, and maintaining the United States as a leading global destination for business and professional events.
The launch comes as the U.S. exhibitions and business events industry continues to emphasize the need for stronger engagement with policymakers on issues that influence travel, trade, business investment, workforce development, and economic growth.
By establishing a dedicated ambassador network, ECA aims to provide industry leaders with a structured platform for participating in these conversations and advancing the industry’s priorities.
ECA Recognizes Contributors to Ambassadors Circle
ECA also recognized Austin O’Boyle and Andrew Swick for their contributions to establishing the ECA Ambassadors Circle.
The organization said the new initiative represents an important component of its ongoing efforts to expand advocacy engagement and create stronger connections between industry professionals and policymakers.
About the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) serves as the unified public policy voice of the business and professional events industry.
Its members include the Consumer Technology Association, Experiential Designers & Producers Association, Exhibition Services & Contractors Association, International Association of Exhibitions & Events, International Association of Venue Managers, International Congress and Convention Association, PCMA, Society of Independent Show Organizers, and UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.
With the launch of the ECA Ambassadors Circle, the alliance is strengthening its network of industry advocates and creating new opportunities for leaders to participate in public policy discussions that could shape the future of the U.S. business and professional events industry.
