Exhibitions & Events Amidst Uncertainty: 8 Questions For 2026 In Washington, D.C.

Recorded On: 03/04/2026

New year, new political and policy uncertainty? What happens in the White House and on Capitol Hill in 2026 will have a far-reaching impact throughout the business and professional events industry. What can you expect from Washington, D.C. this year? What policy issues are ECA and IAEE focused on in 2026? How can industry leaders and advocates get involved? For answers to these questions and more, please join ECA’s Executive Vice President, Tommy Goodwin, as he shares the latest news from inside the Beltway and goes behind the headlines to show you how what happens in Washington, D.C., will impact what happens on the show floor.

Learning objectives:

Understand the 8 key politics and policy questions that will impact the industry this year
Learn about IAEE and ECA’s top 2026 public policy priorities
Find out how you can get involved on behalf of IAEE and the broader 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.