Tariffs are impacting the live events industry, and the Live Events Coalition and its allies are stepping up pressure on lawmakers to act.
AV and production equipment, raw materials, decor, furnishings, food and beverage, and technology will all increase in cost, said Wendy Porter, vice chair of government affairs for the Live Events Coalition.
“This is hitting AV partners, builders, caterers, venues, and planners across the board. And the compounding effect is already forcing budget cuts, scaled-back programs, and canceled events,” she said.
At the center of the coalition’s efforts is the Trade Review Act of 2025. A bipartisan bill that shifts tariff decision-making power to Congress has been introduced in both the House and Senate. But it remains stalled in committee.
“To move this forward, we need to flip at least four GOP House members,” Porter said. “The House only needs a simple majority. But procedural gridlock is slowing progress. The Senate, meanwhile, faces a higher hurdle, 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. With seven Republican Senators already on board, four more are needed to advance the bill.”
The goal of the Live Events Coalition: force a vote. “If we succeed, Congress can take back its voice and prevent future unilateral tariff decisions that harm industries like ours,” said Porter.
The Live Events Coalition is urging event professionals to take action by contacting their representatives. Platforms like 5calls.org can help. It has also created call scripts to encourage coordinated outreach.
Industry-Wide Advocacy Expands
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) is also ramping up its advocacy efforts. Its ECA Tariff Resource Center provides real-time updates on trade policy developments. Additionally, the ECA Advocacy Network streamlines the process of sending messages to elected officials.
In addition, California Governor Gavin Newsom said the state will file a lawsuit challenging former President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs.
The lawsuit, to be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, claims Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify tariffs on countries like Mexico, Canada, and China is unlawful and bypasses Congressional authority.
Newsom’s office argues that the tariffs have inflated costs for California businesses and consumers.
The lawsuit comes just days after Newsom urged other countries to exempt California exports from retaliatory tariffs. No agreements have been reached. In addition to requesting that the tariffs be blocked immediately, the lawsuit underscores growing concern over the long-term impact of federal trade decisions on regional economies and sectors that rely heavily on international supply chains, including business travel and events.
