From left: UFI CEO, managing director Chris Skeith; EMECA secretary general Barbara Wieszacker; and ICCA CEO Senthil Gopinath.
Three of the industry’s most influential associations – European Major Exhibition Centres Association (EMECA), International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry – have formalised a joint advocacy platform in Europe.
The launch of the European Events and Exhibition Industry Alliance (EEEIA) builds on the existing European Exhibition Industry Alliance (EEIA), originally established in 2012 by EMECA and UFI, and significantly broadens its scope.
With ICCA now formally onboard, the alliance expands beyond exhibitions to represent the full spectrum of business events, including association meetings, international congresses and conferences.
The newly structured EEEIA is designed to act as a single, coordinated voice for the sector in engagement with European Union policymakers and other regional stakeholders.
The EEEIA will represent the collective interests of the broader European events and exhibition industry before the institutions of the European Union and key European and international stakeholders.
The expansion comes at a critical moment. “With fluctuating global trade policy and geopolitical uncertainty reshaping the business landscape, it is more vital than ever for the European events and exhibition industry, as key catalysts for trade, innovation, professional knowledge exchange and scientific collaboration, to stand united and advocate for favourable and fair operating conditions for the sector in Europe,” a joint statement announcing the incorporation of ICCA read.
The EEEIA maintains its current management structure: the EMECA secretary general continues to serve as EEEIA secretary general, with the EMECA team managing daily operations, while its strategic direction and advocacy priorities will now be jointly shaped by all three partner organisations. This includes positively representing the industry, monitoring EU strategies, policies and legislation, and providing targeted advocacy in specific fields of interest.
Collectively, the three organisations represent thousands of venues, organisers, destinations and suppliers across Europe and globally.