Skift Conferences’ unique survey of 103 assembly professionals* paints an image of a complicated and difficult panorama for assembly planners as they modify to new Trump Administration insurance policies. Whereas for some it’s enterprise as ordinary, others are experiencing rising prices from tariffs, cancellations in industries affected by authorities cuts, fewer worldwide attendees prepared to journey to the U.S., and concern in regards to the impression of immigration insurance policies on lodge staffing.
Nearly a 3rd of respondents (29%) have already modified the situation of this yr’s conferences or incentive journeys on account of geopolitical situations. When requested if they’re contemplating altering areas for future occasions, 39% stated sure, 21% have been uncertain, and 37% stated no.
Tariff Impacts
Rising prices are plaguing the overwhelming majority of planners: When requested about the principle considerations impacting their jobs proper now, 90% stated potential value will increase and 66% stated potential recession. A full 82% stated they anticipate assembly prices to extend in 2025–2026 due to the tariffs.
Respondents additionally reported value will increase on promotional merchandise and incentive presents, mixed with a rise within the size of time it takes to obtain items.
Sure Industries Hit Arduous
Authorities conferences, tutorial and scientific conferences, and people with worldwide attendees have been hardest hit. Mentioned one nameless planner: “The federal government conferences trade has disappeared.”
Kyle Jordan, director of conferences at INFORMS, the Institute for Operations Analysis and the Administration Sciences, stated that whereas he anticipates 10-15% decrease attendance this yr as a result of 35% of his attendees come from exterior of the U.S., “As an academic-focused group, we anticipate seeing an even bigger hit to our home attendance in 2026 as universities shore up funding for potential long-term courtroom battles.”
Worldwide Attendees Staying House
Worldwide attendees now face a mixture of visa challenges and considerations about border entry and security. “Our worldwide members have knowledgeable us that touring to the U.S. for a convention is presently not within the playing cards,” stated an nameless planner. “Lots of our members have misplaced funding, and are having to chop again convention attendance. Total, our registration tempo is way slower than it has been the final three years.”
Mark Phillips, chief working officer at LamontCo, stated he has seen worldwide attendance at U.S. conferences drop by 30% or extra, “particularly these the place the air tickets haven’t but been bought.”
As cross-border tensions have elevated, plans for inbound conferences from Canada are getting nixed. Of these respondents with Canadian purchasers or divisions in Canada who have been planning to satisfy within the U.S. this yr, 18% have already modified their plans and 15% have been contemplating doing so.
Resort Staffing Considerations
One other concern amongst planners is the potential impact of immigration insurance policies on lodge staffing, together with kitchen assist, housekeeping, and banquet servers. Greater than two-thirds of respondents (72%) stated they anticipate lodge staffing to be impacted in 2025–2026, whereas 15% have been uncertain and 13% didn’t foresee any impression.
State of Confusion
Numerous respondents, together with LamontCo’s Phillips, stated they anticipated extra regional conferences on account of the falloff in worldwide attendance. Different impacts talked about by respondents included scaling again on utilizing 5-star properties; on the lookout for a lot decrease charges than up to now; longer lead occasions for sourcing and contracting; challenges for college students and attendees of coloration getting wanted help to attend sure conferences; and tradeshow exhibitor cancellations.
Even for these planners who stated they aren’t feeling any impression from Trump Administration insurance policies, Tim Barrett, senior director, international conferences at Vacation spot South, summed up the present state of confusion being felt by many respondents: “It’s chaotic, particularly the whiplash of sooner or later to the subsequent and the differing totals and/or begin dates.”
TOP 7 PLANNER CONCERNS(ranked by share of respondents)
Potential value will increase (90%)
Potential recession (66%)
Entry challenges for incoming worldwide attendees (57%)
Job safety (45%)
Challenges with bringing U.S. teams internationally (44%)
Challenges for LGBTQ+ attendees (28%)
Pregnant attendees requiring emergency care (15%)
*Methodology: Skift Conferences’ electronic mail survey of assembly planners was performed between Might 9 and June 9, 2025, leading to 103 usable responses.
