When President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term on January 20, 2025, few expected the impact on the conference and event industry so quickly, so quickly.
As the meeting was cancelled or scaled, planners were scrambling to adjust and sponsors reevaluated the commitment.
Government meeting cancelled
The Federal Conference was the first to disappear. Government agencies responded to new austerity measures and layoffs led by the Ministry of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The meeting is delayed or cancelled, and the future is one of the uncertainties.
Hotel Lobby President Brett Sterenson is a conference venue selection company that mainly works with government meetings. He had 57 meetings cancelled, representing $2.5 million in hotel revenue.
Those who are litigating government meetings are being held with fewer other participants.
Medical and scientific conferences take a hit
The medical conference department relies heavily on funding from institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Deep fund cuts and operational freezes hit NIH. As a result, grant review courses, scientific workshops and educational workshops are being postponed.
The Trump administration’s policies have created obstacles to health care conferences. In addition, global perceptions of the United States have prompted some medical conferences to consider places outside the country.
Trump’s dei ban demolition incident
On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order that eliminated all federal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Radiation is immediate. Rutgers University, for example, canceled its annual DEI meeting scheduled for January 30 on the grounds of compliance issues. Meetings and workplace equity related to social impacts are also facing similar decisions.
Pride incidents are losing key sponsorship. Meanwhile, international players face increasing uncertainty about entering the United States
Increased costs due to tariffs
President Trump’s aggressive tariff policies are already forcing the conference industry to adjust.
Matthew Byrne, founder and president of Bourne Production Services, took early action after stocking up some essential equipment before the tariffs came into effect.
tariffs on imported steel, aluminum and wood are already raising the costs of booths, stages and other basic events infrastructure.
Event entrepreneur Dr. BarışOnay warned that international trade exhibitions would face significant disruption if trade tensions escalate.
Trump’s administration imposes tariffs on imports from major trading partners, including a 34% tariff on Chinese goods and 20% of EU imports.
It is predicted that tariffs will increase the cost of commonly used materials in events such as audio-visual equipment, modular display systems and promotional projects, many of which are sourced internationally.
