Travel Leaders Join U.S. Congresswoman Susie Lee for “Travel Works” Power Hour

The Meetings Mean Business Coalition welcomed U.S. Congresswoman Susie Lee for a “Travel Works for America” Power Hour discussion focused on the importance and value of travel and opportunities to help it thrive. The coalition convened in Las Vegas in conjunction with IMEX America on October 8.  

Attendees at the meeting, held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, included more than 50 travel leaders representing destinations coast to coast, travel businesses and affiliated trade groups. Industry leaders shared key priorities and learned more about the Congresswoman’s leadership on policies to support a strong and vibrant travel sector.

“We are grateful to Congresswoman Lee for highlighting the value of travel and its far-reaching impact on her district and to the broader U.S. economy at our Travel Works discussion with the Meetings Mean Business Coalition,” said Tori Emerson Barnes, U.S. Travel Executive Vice President for Public Affairs and Policy. “Congresswoman Lee is a champion for travel, and we look forward to our continued work in support of the growth of travel to Nevada and across the nation.”

"Last year, the travel industry supported nearly 15 million American jobs, and here in Vegas, we know just how powerful this industry is to our economy," said Congresswoman Lee. "I had the privilege to speak with travel industry leaders about the work we’re doing to strengthen the travel industry, and I look forward to continuing to work with local, state, and federal partners to keep southern Nevada as the travel and tourism capital of the world."

In 2023, $119 billion was generated nationally in meeting and events-related travel spending in the United States, which supported 600,000 American jobs. In total, travel produced $2.8 trillion in economic output and supported 15 million U.S. workers. Travel strengthens businesses across the economy by connecting people and places and contributing to the success of practically every business sector.

Meetings Mean Business is an industry-wide coalition working to showcase the undeniable value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions bring to people, businesses and communities.

The discussion included topics critical to the travel industry, including: the need to lower wait times for first-time visitor visas applicants, currently facing 260+ day wait times on average in key inbound markets; preparing for a decade of major sporting events coming to the United States; reducing wait times for travelers at U.S. Customs at gateway airports; and the need to permanently expand the H-2B worker visa program, which provides temporary workers to support small and seasonal business.