In this episode of the Skiff Meetings Podcast, we take a deep dive into the potential impact of the upcoming U.S. presidential election on the meetings industry. Policies on both sides could shape the future of the conference, touching on everything from divisive laws affecting LGBTQ rights and women’s reproductive rights to climate change strategies, dealing with visa delays and the structure of infrastructure investments. America’s growing political polarization is also worth considering.
Whether you’re a meetings professional or just interested in how politics and elections intersect with the world of meetings and events, this episode provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities ahead.
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- Divisive Laws and Boycotts: We explore how divisive laws, particularly those affecting LGBTQ+ rights and women’s reproductive rights, influence decisions about where to host conferences and events. There are concerns about hosting events in states whose political views conflict with those of the participants or organizations.
- Social offsets as a strategy: Social Offset is an organization that helps those holding conferences in politically contentious states raise funds for nonprofits that align with their values, rather than avoiding those locations entirely.
- Climate change and environmental impact: Climate change, particularly extreme weather events, is increasingly having an impact on meetings and events. Different political approaches to climate change could significantly impact environmental regulations and, in turn, the meetings industry.
- Visa delays and travel restrictions: This podcast covers the challenges posed by visa delays and bans on citizens of certain countries from entering the United States, which prevent the international community from attending U.S. meetings. Priorities for alleviating these delays may differ depending on who is in the White House.
- infrastructure investment: Infrastructure, including convention centers and transportation, is critical to the convention industry. Republican and Democratic administrations are likely to prioritize different projects and financing models.
- Hidden fees and transparency: The No Hidden Fee Act was enacted to eliminate “junk fees.” Supporters argue the law will make the overall cost of organizing and attending conferences more transparent. Opponents of the bill argue it will harm businesses. The next U.S. president may help push for this bill, or he may suppress the movement entirely.
Episode summary
The Skift Meetings editorial team explores the potential impact of the upcoming U.S. presidential election on the meetings industry. They discussed how policies from both parties could reshape the future of the conference. Key issues covered include secession laws, visa delays and infrastructure investment.
Divisive state laws, particularly those affecting LGBTQ+ rights and women’s reproductive rights, are affecting destination choices and conference attendance. Planners still face challenges in selecting destinations that align with attendee values. Although the boycott grabbed headlines, most meetings continued. Destinations in legally divided states appear to be unaffected by the travel ban.
Extreme weather events demonstrate the devastating effects of climate change. Different political attitudes towards environmental regulations may influence the planning and execution of events, potentially having both long- and short-term consequences for various meetings and events.
Depending on the outcome of the election, different presidents may take different approaches to pricing transparency. The No Hidden Fees Act and other regulatory changes may affect the cost and organization of meetings. However, some believe the change will harm businesses critical to the meetings industry.
Visa processing delays and travel restrictions have reduced international participation in U.S. events. How different governments handle the issue in the future could have significant implications for events held in the U.S. that rely on global audiences.
The two governments may also approach infrastructure investment differently. Several convention centers in the United States will expand in the coming years. The value of meetings may seem obvious, but the process requires ongoing support from everyone involved.
Navigating the challenges of an ever-changing political landscape is critical for meeting professionals to thrive. However, this navigation requires a proactive approach to being prepared for any situation.
