First presentation of the industry in front of the Tourism Committee of the Bundestag. For the first time in the history of the event industry, the industry had the opportunity to introduce itself to the Tourism Committee of the Bundestag and to defend its political positions.

On 25 March 2009 when EVVC held its presentation it was received with great interest and ran in open doors. Marlene Mortler MdB (CSU), chairwoman of the Committee, welcomed the visit and the exchange of views with the words: "It is for us to support our event industry in order for it to continue keeping its leading position in Europe and to further secure about a million location-bound jobs in Germany."

August Moderer and Joachim König, with the assistance of Dr. Hubert Koch (EVVC Berlin Office), made a presentation to the panel of nearly 20 people. They began with important facts and figures of the industry and the association, followed by the formulation of four specific policy issues and requests:

1. Support the industry in the development of a uniformed profession "Event Manager" with the initial binding conditions, a standardized curriculum and a mandatory duration of training.

2. Support in the marketing of the conference and event location Germany abroad e.g. through participation of industry representatives on overseas trips of the ministers and the Chancellor.

3. Setting of impulses from the political side for the improvement of the financing situation of the event centers. For this EVVC suggested e.g. a congress tax - this would relieve the taxpayers, because it would be charged on users. At the same time it would reduce the need for subsidies.

4. Assistance in development of a flexible model of the working time law (softening of the 10-hour rule) for cost-neutral optimization of quality and service in the competition, of course, in full respect of minor-protection laws.

In the subsequent three rounds of questions, the MPs especially focused on the economic situation of the industry. They asked about the importance of the profitability of events and possible excess capacity, as well as about the cooperation of the EVVC with other associations, notably with the German National Tourist Board (DZT) and with the Federation of German Tourism Industry (BTW).

Intensive discussions were made about the importance of education and further training for the future of the industry. To this the EVVC received positive signals of support from the speakers of all parties. In addition, the desire to jointly present the event location Germany on international level in order to be able to stand the strong global competitive pressures, found support.

"For the first time we presented the idea of a conress tax to a political body," August Moderer drew a positive conclusion. "Members of the Tourism Committee credit our attempt for we are committed to finding alternative funding models for our centers."
For Joachim König, then vice president of the association, it was a positive conclusion and transition for lobbying in the future as the committee members proposed to the EVVC to organize a parliamentary evening in the new legislature in Berlin since there are many topics of the EVVC which are interesting to members of other committees." We will of course pick up this idea," said König in a personal summary.