Capitol Impact: How Washington, D.C., Is Impacting Industry Suppliers

Recorded On: 03/19/2026

Political and policy changes are significantly impacting the business and professional events industry… and nobody knows that more than our industry suppliers. From rising costs due to tariffs to challenges attracting and training our next generation workforce, what’s happening in Washington, D.C., is having a big impact on show floors from coast to coast. Please join ECA’s Tommy Goodwin as he shares the latest news from inside the Beltway and goes behind the headlines to talk about its impact on suppliers throughout the industry.

Learning Objectives:

Learn about the latest policy and political developments impacting industry suppliers.
Discover how IAEE and ECA are advocating on behalf of the industry and its suppliers.
Find out how suppliers like you can get involved on behalf of IAEE and the industry.

Tommy Goodwin

President & Chief Executive Officer

Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance

Tommy Goodwin is President & Chief Executive Officer for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the public policy association for the business and professional events industry. In this role, he leads ECA’s work on behalf of the event and meeting organizers, exhibitors, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the global events industry landscape. Tommy currently serves as co-chair of the Community Impact Coalition and on the global advisory board of The Iceberg. He is also a past president of the National Institute of Lobbying & Ethics and a past chair of ASAE’s Executive Management Professionals Advisory Council and Advocacy Council.

Prior to joining ECA, Tommy spent more than 20 years leading social impact, member value, public affairs, and international engagement efforts for several globally recognized associations and corporations, including Oracle, AARP, and the Project Management Institute (PMI). Additionally, he was a research fellow at Harvard Business School focused on the international political and legal environment in which businesses and social enterprises operate. Tommy has a B.B.A. from The George Washington University, an M.B.A. from Auburn University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in European Union Law from King’s College London. He also holds several certifications, including a Project Management Professional from PMI, a Certified Meeting Planner from the Events Industry Council, and a Certified Association Executive from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

Recognized by The Hill in its list of association Top Lobbyists every year since 2020, Tommy was also named a Leading Association Lobbyist by CEO Update/Association TRENDS. He has also been elected as a Fellow by ASAE, named an Association Innovation Leader by DCA Live, received the Industry Support Award from Trade Show News Network, and been recognized as an events industry Meetings Trendsetter by Meetings Today.

This session is eligible to earn 0.75 clock hours towards CEM recertification.