Andrea Doyle

From geopolitical tensions to controversial executive orders, President Donald Trump’s return to the White House is impacting the meetings industry.

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.

Selecting the right event date goes beyond just checking a calendar, it’s a strategic decision that can make or break attendance.

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

Tariffs can trigger unexpected cost spikes for both planners and suppliers. Building flexibility into contracts through substitutions and force majeure protections can help mitigate financial surprises and keep events on track.

Generalist AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot are being replaced by agentic AI, which can customize and deploy AI models for specific tasks. Are event planners ready?

With car break-ins surging in some U.S. cities, business event planners must now consider parking lot safety as part of their site selection and contract process. 

The Trump administration’s new tariffs and government travel restrictions are dealing a blow to cross-border business events. With U.S. delegate attendance declining and high-profile cancellations like Canada House at SXSW, the industry faces mounting challenges.

growing wave of meeting cancellations signals trouble for the business events industry. Providence is one destination already feeling the impact.

Liz Irving's journey to CEO of Clarion Events North America proves that sometimes the best career moves start with saying "yes" to the jobs nobody else wants. In a candid interview, Irving dishes on leadership, vulnerability as a superpower, and why you should never wait for permission to speak.