Three of the world’s leading meetings, events and exhibition associations – EMECA (European Major Exhibitions Centres Association), ICCA(International Congress and Convention Association), and UFI (the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry) – have signed a formal agreement to unite their European advocacy under a single strengthened body: the European Events and Exhibition Industry Alliance (EEEIA).
A Platform for Advocacy and Action
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, fair operating conditions for the sector in Europe.
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.
Marta Gomes, ICCA President: “By joining the EEEIA, ICCA is strengthening the collective voice of Europe’s business events sector. Working within an established and experienced advocacy platform allows us to have greater impact at the EU level and ensure our industry’s value is clearly recognised in Europe’s globally leading meetings and events market.”
The move expands the existing European Exhibition Industry Alliance (EEIA), founded by EMECA and UFI in 2012, to formally incorporate ICCA and extend its mandate to cover the full spectrum of Europe’s business events sector, including exhibitions, meetings, conferences, and congresses.
Find out more about ICCA here.
