The United States Office of Government Ethics is proposing amendments to the regulations governing standards of ethical conduct for executive branch employees that could impose limits on participation at trade shows, expos, conventions and conferences.

According to the proposed rule amendment, “The stricter requirements were in large part a response to various scandals involving the use of gifts by lobbyists such as Jack Abramoff, and in this regard the [government employee Ethics] Pledge followed similar efforts by Congress to respond to some of the same concerns.”

A career governmental employee or a political appointee would not be allowed to accept free admittance to a trade event if the organization hosting the event has business before an agency the individual represents or if the association hosting the trade show has a registered lobbyist or contracts one.

Additionally, a career governmental employee or political appointee would not be able to attend an event if they were invited as a guest because of the position they hold, though several other restrictions apply.

The Office of Government Ethics are accepting comments on the proposed changes until November 14—the comments could have an impact on certain provisions in the proposed amendment.

So far, trade show industry professionals have raised several concerns.

“This is just more double talk,” says Steven Hacker, president of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events [IAEE]. “The problem is the government sees one problem and they set in motion a cascade of solutions to other problems that are totally unrelated. If you want to deal with ethics, deal with individual ethics and prohibitions against taking things. Don’t prevent people from communicating—that’s not ethics, it’s good government.”

Hacker and the IAEE are not the only voices to come out against limitations on meeting participation.

“As we increasingly restrict the ability of government employees to participate in these events we hurt smaller U.S. companies that rely on trade shows to display their wares,” says Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, which owns and produces the International CES, according to a prepared statement. "If we want to increase our exports, we need government to view these events as part of our national strategy to encourage jobs and exports. The International CES attracts more than 30,000 visitors from overseas, including many government officials."

While attendance as a guest is prohibited, the ability to attend for free if a person is speaking or presenting information is protected. Events for scientific or educational purposes, as well as media related circumstances, are also protected.

“It’s absurd and something George Orwell might write in a novel,” says Hacker. “This is not how democracy works.”

Check back withEXPO for a full report on the proposed rules and what they mean for trade shows. To view the proposed amendment, click here.

What do you think of governmental restrictions to free access to events? Tell us in the comments!