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U.S. Gov: No Events for You

By Jessie States September 22, 2011

The U.S. Office of Government Ethics plans to severely limit the ability of federal government employees to attend events sponsored by industry trade groups. And industry and business alike are pushing back.

Says Gary Shapiro of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), which owns and produces CES, the world’s largest technology trade show: 

“As we increasingly restrict the ability of government employees to participate in these events we hurt smaller U.S. companies that rely on trade shows to display their wares. If we want to increase our exports, we need government to view these events as part of our national strategy to encourage jobs and exports. The International CES attracts more than 30,000 visitors from overseas, including many government officials. The present White House restrictions on political appointee participation is embarrassing, problematic and not helpful to our hosting responsibilities. 

"They also hinder efforts to expand travel to the U.S. Extending this requirement to career civil servants will deny government employees the ability to learn about what is happening in business, forge relationships and understand how their actions impact jobs-creating businesses."

Says Steven Hacker, FSAE, CAE, president of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events: 

"This reckless intrusion into commerce, if adopted, will further isolate regulators from the industries they must understand. The learning and communications that routinely take place during trade events are among the most important ways that government officials and business leaders can exchange views and ideas. 

"The very predictable results of this kind of Orwellian measure is to ensure that the U.S. economy will continue to be mired in uncertainty and fear that will only prolong the destructive levels of unemployment and economic malaise that have characterized the last three years. All responsible leaders of the business community, for profit companies as well as not for profit associations, must view this latest attack by the federal government on business as a call to arms. We must come together to reject this absurd and potentially harmful set of rules or we will have only ourselves to blame."

Conversation (7)

  • Roger Rickard September 22, 2011

    I agree with the comments of the two industry leaders as listed above.

    This is another example of how having little or no influence in Washington is strangling the meetings and events industry. When as an industry are we going to explain our business value in economic terms that shows the various stakeholders that what we produce matters? It matters to commerce. It matters to creation and innovation. It matters to education. It matters to the growth of free enterprise.

    It’s not shame on them for this action – it is shame on us for not standing up for what we know is right. The time is now to organize a response to take directly to Washington to educate our leaders on the value of meetings and events. When are we going to move to action? When are we going to conduct a Meetings Industry legislative Action Day on Capitol Hill? I don’t know about you, but I am surely ready.

  • Jessie States September 22, 2011

    Here, here, Roger! It seems we need to reach non-elected government officials nearly as much as we need to reach Congress and the president. Setting aside the economic value of these trade shows, it is unconscionable to me that these officials don't realize the importance of attendance to their own bottom lines—and business goals.

  • Dave Lutz September 22, 2011

    One primary benefit of good tradeshows or conferences which needs to be driven home is...

    Tradeshows and face to face discussions speed up sales cycles!

    Politicians everywhere are looking for quick fixes. No one in their right mind makes a major purchase without kicking the tires and looking into the whites of the seller's eyes. No trust, no purchase! No face-to-face equals delay in commerce.

    If we really want a stimulus for our economy, we need to get more buyers and influencers face-to-face with people from companies that have (or can develop) solutions to their problems. 

    Economist that are advising our government need to focus a lot less on cutting expenses that ultimately accelerate revenue. It's the only stimulus that really works.

  • John Chen September 27, 2011

    I've been told the Federal Government would be the Fortune 1 if they measured their revenue and spending compared to other Fortune 500 companies.  This means they are a huge economic force and should use fiduciary responsibility when spending that money, which means finding the best solutions for their challenges and that means finding innovative solutions which can be found at tradeshows and other networking events. 

    Let's focus on legislation that works such as spending less and doing more with the money they have and not cutting off solutions to their existing challenges.

    -John Chen
    MPI WA Member
    and Minority Small Business Owner

    http://geoteaming.com

  • Roger Rickard September 27, 2011

    Jessica - great point for all to understand. We do need to reach all key stakeholders. They are elected, appointed, and serve as civil servants in the government at all levels - local, state and national. They are communities, business groups, key influencers, media, or customers and on and on and on.

    We all have a role in this and thus we all have a say. The time is now to start saying something.

  • The Lab September 28, 2011

    That $16 included much more than a muffin. The rest of the story...

  • Deborah Molique October 06, 2011

    How can we spout increased educational advancement and then cut off access to our resources and opportunities when we enter into the government or business setting?  We can't make it to Mars without seeing and exploring all the ingenious ideas awaiting our designated management and leadership at industry conventions, conferences and trade shows. 

    Thanks Roger for leading us on a similar conversation last week at PCMA in Phoenix.

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