ECA呼吁调整华盛顿特区国际旅行政策以提升美国展会国际参与度

The tradeshow industry is on fire. Across the U.S., many shows are reporting record numbers of exhibitors and attendees. Beyond the show floor, investment dollars are pouring in, and mergers and acquisitions are continuing at a frenzied pace.

When you dig into the numbers, however, all is not well. Tradeshows and other business events are setting records for domestic participation, but the international numbers tell a different story. Around the world, would-be exhibitors and attendees are staying home, and some event organizers are rethinking hosting their shows in the U.S.

Why? Backlash to international travel policies coming from Washington, D.C.

Last year, four million fewer international travelers visited then U.S. than the year before. Since early 2025, 25 percent fewer Canadians have crossed the border to spend time (and money) here in America.

Fewer international travelers mean fewer international exhibitors and attendees coming to the U.S. to do business. That can lead to smaller shows, fewer booths, reduced labor calls, and decreased demand for restaurants, hotels, travel services, and Main Street commerce near venues nationwide.

Here are four ways that the White House and Congress can show the world that the U.S. remains open for business:

1. End country-specific travel bans and the visa bond program

Did you know that the U.S. partially or fully restricts travel from nearly 40 countries? And that travelers from 50 countries must post a $10,000-20,000 bond to get a U.S. visa? These policies impact more than 900,000 visitors annually, many of whom would be coming for tradeshows.

Withdrawing both these policies would immediately increase international event participation and ensure that event organizers can bring their entire international audience to U.S. events.

2. Further reduce visitor visa interview wait times

It still takes far too long to get a visa interview at many U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. Not a visa, the interview required to get a visa. Wait times for business visa interviews exceed three months at 40 U.S. posts, which continues to restrict tradeshow participation.

The U.S. State Department is conducting a “fast track” pilot program that guarantees visa interviews within ten days of application for a fee, but more needs to be done here.

3. Withdraw ill-advised social media and personal information requirements

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has proposed requiring international travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries to provide five years of social media history as part of their online travel permit applications.

If adopted, the World Travel and Tourism Council projects a $15.7 billion drop in international visitor spending and 150,000 American jobs put at risk including many in the events industry. CBP should permanently shelve this proposal.

4. Repeal the $250 visa integrity fee

Last year, Congress passed a $250 fee on new visas. The U.S. Travel Association estimates that, once in place, this new fee would cost the U.S. 990,000 international visitors and $2.9 billion in lost visitor spending annually, including from those that would be visiting for tradeshows.

The Trump administration has wisely delayed enactment of this new fee. Congress should urgently rescind this fee that would only deter business travel to the U.S.

These four steps would help ensure that the U.S. remains the premier international destination for tradeshows and other business events.

The stakes are high. Tradeshow organizers are launching international versions of U.S. events in key markets around the world.

At the same time, the International Congress and Convention Association’s 2026 GlobeWatch rankings find that, while the U.S. remains the top destination for international association events, our lead is rapidly slipping.
That’s why ECA continues to strongly advocate for international travel policies that lower barriers to attracting international exhibitors, attendees, and buyers to tradeshows taking place in the U.S.

Join us in this important effort by visiting ECAadvocacy.com today.

This story originally appeared in the Q4 2025 issue of Exhibit City News, p. 36. For original layout, see Print Version