SISO
Does the USA election matter ?
SISO CEO Vincent Polito says it ’ s important to move beyond electoral divisions and hold true to the industry ’ s values
y 1.0 version of this
M article was written when I expected the result of the US presidential election to be in doubt .
This then is 2.0 . During the neverending campaign , I found the ‘ rabid ’ energy for one side or the other was balanced with a large contingent that wondered how we got to this point . The election has been decided and Donald Trump will be the 47th President .
Does the outcome matter ? Well , kind of , sort of . When daylight savings takes place , we are often reminded that it is time to change batteries in a variety of devices , smoke detectors being one . I ’ d like to think the presidential election is a reminder to rededicate ourselves to the core principles that make our industry resilient , adaptable and forwardthinking .
Our industry thrives on collaboration , resilience , and the drive to innovate . These qualities are so much more than buzzwords ; they are the foundation that keeps our events relevant , impactful and possessing the ability to affect the marketplaces we serve . The SISO 2025 theme for example is ' The Innovation Imperative '.
Above : Vincent Polito
" We hope that the winning side introduces policies that prioritise small business support , encourage trade , promote travel and enact infrastructure improvements "
In the US , and in other nations as well , the winning side often believes it has a mandate , but in limited exceptions ( Reagan v . Mondale perhaps ), it ’ s likely a vote against the other side . Negative partisanship has replaced positive partisanship in voting habits . Winning gracefully is sometimes harder than losing gracefully but it is important , and I ’ ll hope for the best .
For the losing side , it can be often met with petulance and an immediate desire to not work with the other side . That approach does harm to everyone . I ’ ve been on the losing side a time or two and my approach has always been to try to make my immediate environment better and more positive and believe that ’ s an approach that helps us all move forward .
We all certainly hope that the winning side introduces policies that prioritise small business support , encourage trade , promote travel and enact infrastructure improvements . The trade show industry is built on flexibility and the ability to overcome unexpected challenges . Half our success is planning , the other half is reacting to the unexpected .
The election underscores an enduring truth : our industry ’ s success depends on how well we apply the values that guide us . In the same way we build connections and spark ideas at our events , we must work together to adapt and thrive , no matter who ‘ wins ’.
When we bring our industry ’ s strengths – collaboration , creativity and striving for excellence – into our civic life , we contribute to a thriving community and create a lasting impact beyond election day ! EW
www . exhibitionworld . co . uk Issue 6 2024 23