‘I’m Concerned’: Post Highlights Political Risks to Events Industry 

In a post on LinkedIn, Nicola Kastner, CEO of the Event Leaders Exchange (ELX), warns of risks to the events industry from recent political tensions.

“I’m concerned. After conversations with Event Leaders Exchange (ELX) members and industry peers, it’s become clear that President Trump’s recent policies could pose significant risks to the meetings and events industry. To be clear, this isn’t a political statement; it’s a call to awareness,” she wrote Thursday. 

In less than 24 hours, the post had 28,000 impressions, 351 reactions, and over 100 comments. 

“I’ve never had a post take off like this,” Toronto-based Kastner told Skift Meetings. “It shows there’s a real need for action in our industry.” ELX, based in the UK, is an invite-only community for corporate global heads of events. 

Meeting Professionals Share Their Concerns

Comments, including those from meeting planners who lost jobs due to federal layoffs and those urging industry associations to take action, include: 

Monique Rochard-Marine, head of global commercial services and operational efficiency at Cordis: “Many of us are already tasked with exceeding expectations with less budget and resources. Achieve 200% with 50%. Now we have these new roadblocks to add to the mix.”

“The ripple effects of policy changes can be far-reaching. From limiting global participation to increasing financial strain. Rather than waiting for the impact to hit, we should be strategizing now. Finding ways to adapt, advocate, and safeguard the industry’s future,” Kelsey Thompson, marketing specialist at Eventcombo, posted.

In addition, Elaine Benfield, founder and CEO of The Benfield Connection, commented, “Political factors are playing a critical role in shaping corporate events and conferences. My concern? This is only the beginning. Companies are bracing for impact, and the constant back-and-forth makes strategic corporate planning nearly impossible.”

Fiona Richardson, senior director of global events at Altair, suggested more virtual events. “As budgets tighten and international participation becomes more uncertain due to visa restrictions and policy shifts, hybrid and virtual events will be more crucial in keeping the industry inclusive and globally connected,” she said. 

Events Industry Needs to Come Together

The concerns echo past industry struggles. During the pandemic, the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance (ECA), a coalition of eight industry associations, emerged to advocate for the meetings sector.

“We need a coalition like that now,” Kastner urged. “The challenges aren’t going away. We must be prepared to navigate what’s being thrown at us.”