“SC ruling is welcome news for the business and professional events industry”: ECA

Happy Friday! Snöcap is back — and this week, breaking news has landed that could have significant implications for the global events industry.

Spotlight: A major U.S. Supreme Court ruling has struck down Trump-imposed tariffs as unconstitutional. The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) says the decision brings much-needed relief after months of rising costs and uncertainty, particularly for small businesses that form the backbone of the sector. Read their statement below.

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“Supreme Court ruling is welcome news for the business and professional events industry”: ECA

The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) has welcomed a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that tariffs introduced under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are unconstitutional, saying the decision brings relief to an industry that has faced rising costs and uncertainty.

The ECA, which serves as the unified public policy voice of the U.S. business and professional events industry, issued a statement saying the tariffs had affected event organizers, suppliers, venues, exhibitors, and attendees. The group said small businesses, which account for 99% of all industry companies and 80% of all event exhibitors, had been hit especially hard.

“Today’s Supreme Court ruling is welcome news for the business and professional events industry. The IEEPA tariffs have increased costs and uncertainty for event organizers, suppliers, venues, exhibitors, and attendees alike. Moreover, they have been particularly harmful to small businesses, which account for 99% of all industry companies and 80% of all event exhibitors,” the ECA said.

The alliance called on policymakers to pursue trade policies that improve affordability and competitiveness, including commitments to free trade agreements and the removal of tariffs, subsidies, and non-tariff barriers with U.S. trading partners.

Questex launches Q Connect – structured matchmaking across its entire portfolio

Questex has launched Q Connect and Q Connect Premium, a connection framework delivering curated, one-to-one meetings and executive experiences across its global portfolio.

Built on Questex’s first-party audience intelligence, Q Connect matches buyers and solution providers based on role, priorities, and commercial intent. Q Connect Premium extends this into executive environments — private meeting suites, invitation-only dinners, leadership roundtables, and hosted small-group experiences.

“Our customers are looking for measurable outcomes,” said Paul Miller, CEO of Questex. “Q Connect and Q Connect Premium give us the ability to deliver curated, commercially meaningful meetings at scale, across sectors and geographies that deliver real ROI.”

The framework is already active across Questex’s markets, including Healthcare & Life Sciences, Wellness, Hospitality, Real Estate, and Experiential Technology, and is embedded within the majority of Questex events.

At Broadband Nation Expo, the program facilitated an introduction that resulted in a commercial agreement. At Fierce Pharma Engage, curated meetings are now core components of integrated sponsorship packages for senior healthcare decision-makers.

The launch formalizes a hosted buyer model Questex says it has been running for years, now scaled across its portfolio.

Seven Asia and HJT International Exhibition join forces to expand exhibition footprint

Seven Asia, a member of the Comexposium Group, has struck a partnership with China-based HJT International Exhibition to grow its presence in international markets through a newly formed joint venture.

Under the agreement, both parties will establish a joint venture to manage large-scale industrial exhibitions internationally.

Seven Asia holds a 51% majority stake in the venture, which will oversee large-scale industrial exhibitions across Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East — centering on three properties: Interfoam, CIBRUSH, and SurfacePME.

The deal was signed Feb. 5, 2026, in Zhuhai, China, with Andy Wismarsyah signing on behalf of Seven Asia and Mr. Bian for HJT International Exhibition.

Upcoming exhibitions under the collaboration include:

• China International Brush Industry Exhibition (CIBRUSH) 2027
• Interfoam China 2026
• SurfacePME 2026

LVE acquires Innovative Expo, establishes first West Coast branch

Tradeshow and experiential event solutions provider LVE has taken over Moreno Valley, California-based Innovative Expo, marking the company’s entry into the West Coast with its first regional branch.

Innovative Expo will be folded into LVE’s operations, with its Moreno Valley location serving as the hub for West Coast activity spanning tradeshows and events across California. The move is part of LVE’s broader push to build out regional infrastructure for its national client base.

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Innovative Expo into the LVE family,” said Nicholas Cordaro, President of LVE. “Their deep expertise in California and West Coast tradeshows and events is a tremendous asset to our team and our clients. This acquisition allows us to better support our growing West Coast business while giving our clients the confidence of having a dedicated, local LVE presence on-site to respond quickly and execute at the highest level.”

For Innovative Expo, the deal opens access to a wider pool of resources while preserving continuity for its existing clients.

“We are excited to become part of the LVE family and to align with an organization that shares our commitment to quality, service, and execution,” said Bruce Meyer, President of Innovative Expo. “Being part of LVE allows us to bring additional resources and expertise to our existing clients as they bring their visions to life through tradeshows, events, and exhibits. We’re also looking forward to working with LVE’s clients and supporting their West Coast programs with the same hands-on approach and local expertise our team is known for.”

Messe Frankfurt expands India footprint with new partnerships

Messe Frankfurt is deepening its presence in India through a partnership between its local arm, Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India, and BusinessLive Trade Fairs — a move that will reshape Media Expo, the country’s trade fair for indoor and outdoor advertising, printing, and signage.

The tie-up brings five Sign India Expo editions under the Media Expo brand, extending the fair’s reach to five cities: Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, and New Delhi. The number of exhibiting companies is expected to rise by around 140 to approximately 480 in 2026, with an estimated 44,000 visitors.

The expansion comes as Messe Frankfurt looks to consolidate its standing in a market it has operated in since 1998. The company currently ranks among the top five trade fair organizers in India, generating revenues of EUR 11.5 million in 2024 with a team of more than 140 professionals and a portfolio of more than 20 trade fairs and over 30 conferences.

“India is a market full of opportunities for Messe Frankfurt, where we aim to actively help shape the future landscape of global trade and industry as an important strategic partner,” said Wolfgang Marzin, President and CEO of Messe Frankfurt.

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