Industry News

President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners are poised to disrupt the meetings industry, leading to rising costs and potential declines in event participation.

After more than a year without a permanent CEO, Chicago’s DMO has a new leader. The former CEO of Discover Long Island will now head up one of the biggest convention cities in the U.S. 

Global Meetings Industry Day on April 3, 2025, is a rallying cry for the $1.6 trillion business events sector as it navigates economic and political headwinds. This contribution to business, job creation, and global connectivity has never been more critical.

While Sundance organizers cite logistics and venue capacity as key reasons for the move, the timing, coinciding with Utah’s new flag restrictions, raises questions about whether politics played a role.

With more U.S. travelers expressing concern about their safety traveling internationally, incentive travel is already feeling some repercussions.

The business events industry is pushing back against U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made ships. While policymakers aim to curb China's maritime influence, industry leaders warn that these measures will increase costs, disrupt supply chains, and ultimately harm American businesses.

Trump-imposed tariffs on imports from countries including Canada, Mexico, and China are forcing event planners to navigate rising costs and operational uncertainties. 

Pick a task, from emails to seating charts to FAQ documents, and there’s probably a way AI can help, said these two meeting pros during Skift Meetings’ recent AI & the Future of Events virtual event.

Major events industry players including Emerald, Freeman, and Impact XM are expanding their global reach and diversifying offerings. 

360 Destination Group and CSI DMC are merging, creating one of the largest destination management companies in the U.S. Are more deals on the horizon?