How the 2024 Election Could Impact the Meetings Industry

In this episode of the Skiff Meetings podcast, we dive into the potential impacts of the upcoming U.S. presidential election on the meetings industry. Policies from both parties could shape the future of meetings, touching on everything from divisive laws affecting LGBTQ rights and women’s reproductive rights to climate change strategies, dealing with visa delays, and how infrastructure investments are structured. The growing political polarization in the U.S. is also worth considering.

Whether you’re a meeting professional or just interested in how politics and elections intersect with the world of meetings and events, this episode offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Key Points

• Divisive Laws and Boycotts: We explore how divisive laws, particularly those affecting LGBTQ+ rights and women’s reproductive rights, can influence decisions on where to host meetings and events. There are concerns about holding events in states with political views that conflict with those of attendees or organizations.
• Social Offsetting as a Strategy: Social Offset is an organization that helps those holding meetings in politically controversial states raise money for nonprofits that align with their values rather than avoiding these locations entirely.
• Climate Change and Environmental Impact: Climate change, particularly extreme weather events, increasingly affects meetings and events. Different political approaches to climate change could significantly impact environmental regulations and, subsequently, the meetings industry.
• Visa Delays and Travel Restrictions: The podcast covers the challenges posed by visa delays and bans on citizens from certain countries entering the U.S., which have hindered international attendance at U.S. meetings. The priority for easing these delays may differ depending on who takes over the White House.
• Infrastructure Investment: Infrastructure, including convention centers and transportation, is crucial for the meetings industry. Republican and Democratic administrations may prioritize different projects and funding models.
• Hidden Fees and Transparency: The No Hidden Fees Act was created to eliminate “junk fees.” Supporters believe this law would make the total cost of organizing and participating in meetings more transparent. Those against the bill believe it will harm businesses. The next U.S. president may help push this bill through or quash the movement altogether.

Episode Summary

The Skift Meetings editorial team explores the potential impacts of the upcoming U.S. presidential election on the meetings industry. They discuss how policies from both parties could reshape the future of meetings. Key issues covered include divisive laws, visa delays, and infrastructure investments.

Divisive state laws, particularly those affecting LGBTQ+ rights and women’s reproductive rights, are influencing destination selection and meeting attendance. Planners continue to face challenges in choosing destinations that align with their attendees’ values. While boycotting made the headlines, most meetings are still going ahead. Destinations in states with divisive laws do not appear to have been impacted by the travel bans.

Extreme weather events show the devastating impact of climate change. Differing political approaches to environmental regulations could impact event planning and execution, likely having long-term and short-term effects on various meetings and events.

Depending on the election results, different presidents will likely take different approaches to handling pricing transparency. The No Hidden Fees Act and other regulatory changes might affect the cost and organization of meetings. However, some argue that this change will harm businesses that are essential to the meetings industry.

Visa processing delays and travel restrictions have curtailed international attendance at U.S. events. How different administrations will handle this going forward could make a big difference for events in the U.S. that rely on a global audience.

The two administrations may also approach infrastructure investment differently. Several convention centers in the U.S. are expanding over the next few years. The value of meetings seems to be clearly understood, but this process requires continuous support from everyone involved.

Navigating the challenges of a changing political landscape is vital for meeting professionals to thrive. However, this navigation requires a proactive approach to be prepared for any scenario.