From Northstar Meetings Group: Airlines are optimistic they can resume normal operations just a few days after the government lifts its order to cut flights at 40 busy airports, but it’s not clear how soon that will happen even though the federal shutdown is over. The Federal Aviation Administration did announce Wednesday night that airlines…
From TSNN: ECA’s Tommy Goodwin explains what’s at stake as SCOTUS hears arguments in two tariff cases on November 5 and why it matters to the trade show industry: Since January 20, the White House has been ground zero for tariff policy changes negatively impacting the trade show industry. In the coming days, the focus…
Business events across the U.S. are facing mounting cancellations and disruptions due to the ongoing federal shutdown that began on October 1. Government-linked conferences are hit hardest, with major gatherings being scaled back or scrapped entirely, forcing planners to re-evaluate travel, location and engagement strategies amid uncertainty. From Skift Meetings…
Flight disruptions are intensifying in the U.S. as some 13,000 air-traffic controllers continue working without pay amid the federal shutdown. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said staffing has reached the lowest point in decades, and many controllers are working six days a week without pay during the government shutdown. From Northstar…
On 15–16 October 2025, the counter-disinformation community will reunite at Cankarjev Dom in Ljubljana, Slovenia, to continue exchanging ideas, learning, and collaborating. The importance of face-to-face conferences as a counterweight to disinformation has never been more essential. Check out their conference programme to understand some of the key issues. From EU DisinfoLab…
For the latest news and factual information, and intelligent analysis of both current impacts and anticipated future implications of the continuing shutdown, the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance is the go-to resource for the business events sector. We recommend signing up to their newsletter and following their updates.
This report confirms the necessity of a new boardroom and senior management focus on the geopolitical environment, and analysis and management of related risks and opportunities. Many recommendations can be applied to organisations’ international meetings strategies, e.g. qualifying value at stake, honing narratives and strategic offerings, optimising engagement, and investing in new capabilities. From McKinsey…
Hundreds of thousands of government employees are on furlough, while others—such as security guards and air traffic controllers—are working without pay. And in the midst of this standstill, IMEX America, the largest trade fair for the global meetings, events, and incentive travel industry, opens today in Las Vegas. From tw weekly…
Meetings International’s Roger Kellerman laments the failure of so many countries’ national governments to adopt transformative event strategies, and suggests a few actions the events sector can take to help solve this problem: If a country creates a strategy for events and major sports championships, only to never actually implement it, this inverted power move…
Guy Bigwood provides optimistic and pessimistic perspectives on potential impacts on the travel, tourism and events sectors of the EU’s latest strategic world overview. Missing from his analysis is the certainty that these geopolitical issues will generate huge demand for new sectoral meetings where their implications, risks, and potential solutions can be debated and analysed.
Henley Business Centre Professors Andrew and Nada Kakabadse outline ways in which insights and data from local, frontline stakeholders are key for international associations to navigate turbulent times. Without systems for obtaining such input, Boards cannot navigate effectively. This applies particularly to international meetings, as key platforms for obtaining grassroots feedback and input into strategy.
James Lancaster, Editorial Director at Northstar Meetings Group, highlights how stricter immigration policies are increasingly affecting international conferences. Visa denials, particularly for delegates from the Global South, limit participation and make global collaboration more difficult, raising questions about inclusivity and the ability to address shared challenges effectively.
By Kai Hattendorf, Global Business Events Industry Strategist: I rarely report on single conference sessions, but recently in Singapore there was one that stood out to me, as it really showed the regional take on geopolitical developments. My take: The region is no longer waiting for Washington, as panelists shared their assesment that, while the…
The US will impose sweeping import tariffs from 7th August, targeting key trade partners including Canada, China, and the EU. Trade shows face rising costs, disrupted logistics, and lost de minimis exemptions. While small to midsize exhibitors may pull back, committed firms see opportunities in maintaining visibility and adapting strategically. From Trade Show Executive…
Tourism faces constant challenges, but political instability has emerged as a critical disruptor. How do political shifts affect travellers and how can destinations stay resilient? TOPOSOPHY’s research, based on a 6-country survey and case studies, explores traveller perceptions and offers smart strategies for destinations to build trust and adapt, whether facing a crisis or preparing…
From City Nation Place: Ever booked a trip, only to suddenly feel a nagging doubt as political headlines flare up? You’re not alone. In today’s hyper-connected world, the news doesn’t just inform us; it shapes our choices, especially when it comes to travel. Political instability isn’t just a distant issue anymore; it’s a critical player…
From Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance: ECA, EDPA, IAEE, SISO, UFI, and 160+ trade associations have called on the U.S. Trade Representative to rescind the port fee on Chinese-built ships, scheduled to take effect in October. ECA continues to strongly oppose tariffs that raise costs on event organizers, suppliers, exhibitors, and attendees alike…
It’s been six months since Shaun Davies MP was elected Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events and a lot has happened in that time. View the July 2025 APPG for Events Briefing for highlights of what has been achieved so far this year, details of the upcoming Parliamentary Plan of Work, new policy…
David Adler sets out a Convening Manifesto for the US business events sector whilst explaining the impact and mourning the recent drastic cuts to Brand USA’s budget. Top of the agenda: “Reframe events as national strategy – not tourism perks”! From Gathering Point News…
From AIM Group International: Taking part in global events such as Expo 2025 Osaka offers more than just visibility; it provides a tangible means of strengthening international relations, promoting innovation, and fostering new economic opportunities. AIM Group International‘s involvement in AGEVITY JAPAN 2025, the forum dedicated to the Longevity Economy promoted by Assolombarda and Silver…
Held during the 2025 IMEX Policy Forum in Frankfurt, this high-level interview with urbanist, author and global advisor Prof Greg Clark CBE FAcSS provides essential geopolitical and socioeconomic context for understanding the future potential direction of Business Events and what destinations that wish to strengthen their competitive positioning need to do. “A multiplication of opportunity…
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