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SISO Update

SISO

 

09 Dec 2022

SISO Update

While the exhibition industry's pace tends to slow during the holiday season, trade shows and events across the country are still taking place successfully, serving their purpose as forums for face-to-face business, education and networking. As the industry looks toward a potential full economic recovery in 2023, now is an excellent time to reflect on the successes and lessons of the past year while setting goals and fresh strategies for the new one ahead. Take a look at your latest SISO news, including some new tax and workforce issues facing the business events industry, as well as some upcoming SISO gatherings you'll want to attend in the New Year!

 

SISO Activities

Registration is OPEN and off to a good start for the 2023 SISO CEO Summit, set for March 20-23 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas! If you haven't yet registered for this not-to-miss event, please search your inbox for your SISO CEO Summit invitation email that includes your unique registration code. Misplaced or can't find your email? Please reach out to Anna@SISO.org.

Once your registration is completed successfully, you will then be able to make your hotel reservations. If you miss this opportunity, click on the link in the “Confirmation/Receipt” email that you'll receive immediately following the registration process to connect to the hotel reservation site. Rooms fill up quickly, so make your reservations early!

The SISO Member Forum is Now Online!

Previously called the SISO Community, the renamed SISO Member Forum has moved to the Guild platform. Designed especially for SISO members to connect, communicate and collaborate, this is a private and safe space to ask questions of the community, look for information and find recommendations with other members. 

If you did not receive your invite letter to join this exclusive community,  click here to request to join. We look forward to “seeing” you there!

SISO Summer Conference 2023

Mark your calendar and look forward to attending next year's SISO Summer Conference, taking place Aug. 22-24, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah. You won't want to miss this incredibly valuable SISO event, so plan now to bring a group from your team!  

SISO Supports Industry News Platform, The Iceberg

SISO is a partner with The Iceberg/Business Events World, an industry communications vehicle produced by the Joint Meetings Industry Council. Check out their most recent monthly newsletters here and here, as well as SISO's listing and banner. Please consider supporting this important and comprehensive industry platform!

Special Interest Groups

Small Business

Please be advised that there will not be a Small Business SIG Small Business Roundtable meeting in December of this year. The next meetings are scheduled for Jan. 24 and Feb. 21, 2023, both on Tuesday at 11 a.m. ET, with more information and Zoom links to follow. Also, please plan to attend our live Small Business Roundtable meeting taking place March 20 during the CEO Summit in Las Vegas – we hope you'll join us!

Sustainability

If you missed the Oct. 26 SISO sustainability webinar that reviewed findings of the newly released environmental impact framework report, “Finding the Future, Together: Towards a more sustainable B2B trade show industry in the U.S. and Canada,” you can access the recording here!

The result of a two-year independent research program developed by a broad, cross-industry task force comprising event industry stakeholders, this collaborative research report identifies key areas the B2B trade show industry must focus on in order to transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon economy.

To access a copy of the webinar's slide show presentation, go here. To access this and other SISO webinars, go here.

Alliances

Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance (ECA)

Here's the latest news from the ECA:

Kentucky to Start Taxing Business Events in 2023:

Starting Jan. 1, 2023, Kentucky will begin imposing a 6% tax on 35 new services, including several directly impacting face-to-face business events in the Bluegrass State.

  • Newly taxed services include “rental of space for meetings, conventions, short-term business uses…,” “parking services,” and “social event planning and coordination services” among others.
  • Go deeper: The Kentucky Department of Revenue has not issued formal regulations on the new taxes, but limited guidance and FAQs can be found here.

These new taxes will offset politically popular individual tax cuts, with the goal of eventually phasing out Kentucky's 5% individual state income tax over many years.

  • The bottom line: ECA strongly opposes all state efforts to tax face-to-face business events!
  • ECA is working with our industry partners in Kentucky to address this important issue during the upcoming 2023 Kentucky legislative session.  

Lame Duck Congress Deadline is Slipping:

Congress got back to work this week, but it is unlikely to finish its work funding the federal government before a self-imposed Dec. 16 deadline.

  • Where it stands: Congress will most likely need a one-week continuing resolution, lasting until Dec. 23, to complete its Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations bills.
  • Why it matters: ECA is focused on government funding bills as a vehicle for an amendment to provide support to our industry's small businesses still recovering from the pandemic.

FTC Proposes New Impersonation Rule:

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed a new rule that would give it stronger tools to fight back against impersonators and return money to people harmed by their illegal practices.

  • The big picture: Our industry is a frequent target of two types of business impersonation fraud: hotel reservation scams and attendee list sale scams.
  • What's next: ECA broadly supports the proposed FTC rule and will submit comments on behalf of the industry before the FTC's Dec. 16 deadline.
  • Interested parties can also submit comments to the FTC here.  

Please Support the ECA!

We still need help reaching our goal in funding SISO's annual $250,000 commitment to the ECA and the vital work it does to advocate for the face-to-face business events industry! SISO Member companies have helped us raise $172,000 so far this year, but we need a broader level of support to underwrite the annual SISO commitment fully. Please consider supporting this vitally important organization today!

We want to thank the following companies for their support of SISO's funding of ECA:

  • Access Intelligence
  • Clarion Events
  • Diversified Communications
  • Emerald
  • IMEX
  • Informa Markets
  • International Market Centers
  • Map Your Show
  • Northstar Travel Media
  • Questex
  • RX
  • Tarsus Group 


Moving Forward Updates

As evidenced by the latest exhibition industry news, face-to-face trade shows and business events continue to move full speed ahead, attracting strong participation as attendees and exhibitors return to more vibrant show floors to form new business partnerships while nurturing existing relationships. While the future is uncertain, the current industry outlook for 2023 appears cautiously optimistic.

 

Member Benefits

Business of Events Masterclass 2022 Focused on change, innovation and disruption in the events industry, the Business of Events Masterclass offers new ways for event organizers, event professionals, entrepreneurs and investors to identify challenges and opportunities and learn from concrete case studies and leaders across the industry. Learn what the top CEOs, entrepreneurs and investors in the events industry are doing about the challenges they face and the future they envision.

To learn more and register with your SISO discount, go here.

DOL Issues Proposed Rule on Independent Contractors

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a proposed rule to clarify who is an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The DOL is proposing to rescind a 2021 rule in which two core factors—control over the work and opportunity for profit or loss—carried greater weight in determining the status of independent contractors.

The 2021 rule, which is still in effect, made it easier for employers to classify workers as independent contractors rather than as employees.

Employers interested in explaining the effect the proposed rule would have on their businesses will have until Nov. 28 to submit their concerns and arguments to the DOL. After the comment period closes, it is believed that the DOL will issue a final rule sometime in the second half of 2023 or in early 2024.  

ShowDown – SISO Endorsed Event Cancellation Insurance Program

Well-received by show organizers, the SISO-endorsed ShowDown Event Cancellation Insurance program offers a liability program for organizers and exhibitors. While communicable disease is excluded, the program covers catastrophic weather events, including snowstorms and hurricanes, power outages, fires and floods.

As one of the broadest and best-priced programs available, the ShowDown Event Cancellation Insurance policy uses an “all-risk” format and offers the following:

  • Clear policy language with the fewest exclusions of any program  
  • Includes national mourning for the death of U.S. and Canadian heads of state
  • Covers loss due to civil commotion or rioting
  • Provides the highest included terrorism protection of up to $2.5 million for an act that occurs within 100 days and 500 miles
  • Delivers a policy term of as long as 36 months
  • Rates are usually about 15% less than other programs
  • Exceptional service and efficient claim process

For questions, contact Jack Buttine at (516) 381-7305 or jbuttine@risk-strategies.com.

 

Q&A

Join your community online via SISO's social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Have a question about SISO or want to get more involved? Email info@siso.org. 


Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay strong. Stay connected!

Christmas Greeting

 

                                                       

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Testimonials

  • “Without a doubt the most valuable three days of the year for networking, learning, and meeting colleagues.”
    Tony Calanca, Calanca & Associates LLC
  • “Two of the best acquisitions Access Intelligence had executed came directly from contacts and discussions held at the SISO CEO Summit. Beyond that important networking for transactions, I learn best practices from the best in the industry. The ROI for membership is immeasurable.”
    Don Pazour, CEO, Access Intelligence
  • “The impact of SISO is so much bigger than its size. It feels more like a global council of important tribes than a traditional trade association.”
    David Adler, CEO & Founder, Bizbash Media
  • “Our industry thrives on the personal relationships that face-to-face builds, and the CEO Summit is the ultimate place to build YOUR network!”
    Tom Mitchell, President, Messe Dusseldorf North America
  • “As busy, independent, for-profit organizer, SISO keeps our company connected to all the key players working in this industry and allows great relationships and ongoing learning of best practices from the best in the business. All invaluable assets to help move our business forward."
    Howard Hauben, CEO, H2 Events
  • “The SISO membership represents the entire for-profit tradeshow community and the annual SISO conferences are must-attend events for their educational and networking value.”
    Joel A. Davis, Founder & CEO, JD Events
  • Being a member of SISO has allowed me to navigate the dynamic landscape of our industry in the most effective way possible. Personally, it’s been a journey of continuous learning, networking, and collaboration that fosters deep relationships with industry leaders. Professionally, the insights I’ve gained, the resources I have accessed, and the collaborative initiatives and advocacy work have helped to take my organization to new heights. SISO, to me, is an indispensable asset for my career and business.
    Liz Irving, President, Clarion Events

 

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