Andrea Doyle

Senior Editor at Skift Meetings

Executive Editor, Skift Meetings

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Articles

Canceled, Moving to Canada: Science Conferences Shun the U.S.

4 days ago | meetings.skift.com | Andrea Doyle

Visa delays, funding cuts, and geopolitical tensions are driving scientific conferences out of the U.S. Some are relocating. Others are canceling. The International Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (IACBT) canceled its August 14-17 conference in Nashville — its first U.S. meeting in 40 years. Approximately 900 were expected. Organizers cited visa uncertainty, federal funding cuts, and concerns about U.S. policy as reasons for the cancellation.
Want More Engaged Attendees? Focus Less on Time, More on Energy

1 week ago | meetings.skift.com | Andrea Doyle

Want to keep attendees awake and engaged? Focus on energy, not the clock. That was a theme of "The Wellness Intersection," a Skift Meetings Backstage Briefing held on May 29. “Attention, information retention, energy, and connection come from events designed with the attendee in mind,” said Samantha T. Marie, chief experience officer at OmniEra Events and Travel. She was joined by Sepideh Eivazi, founder of Dawn of the Earth, a company that combines somatic breathwork with custom teas.
Events Under Pressure: How Planners Are Designing for Uncertainty

1 week ago | meetings.skift.com | Andrea Doyle

Growing geopolitical instability, trade tensions, and unpredictable policy shifts are forcing event organizers to rethink everything from show formats to sponsorship models, according to leaders gathered at the Exhibition & Convention Executives Forum (ECEF) on May 28.
Cybersecurity Conference Delays U.S. Launch, Citing Uncertain Political Climate

1 week ago | meetings.skift.com | Andrea Doyle

Citing unpredictable political and economic conditions in the U.S., organizers have postponed the first American edition of InCyber Forum. This international cybersecurity conference was set to take place June 17–18 San Antonio's Henry B. González Convention Center. The event, which combines a tradeshow with expert panels, was expected to draw about 5,000 attendees from across the global cyber industry.
Yoga, Vegan Menus: Events Get a Wellness Makeover

2 weeks ago | meetings.skift.com | Andrea Doyle

These days, going to a conference isn’t just about the keynote speakers or networking sessions — it’s also about how attendees feel when it’s over. More events are prioritizing wellness, from the food on your plate to the air in the room. “If I’m taking time out of my schedule to go to an event, I want it to be balanced and help me become stronger for myself and my company,” said Rachael Riggs, general manager of environmental strategy and subject matter expert on wellbeing at Maritz.
Canadians Won’t Come to Your Conference? Try Hosting Two

2 weeks ago | meetings.skift.com | Andrea Doyle

The North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS) was all set for its 2025 annual conference this November at the Westin Seattle. The problem: Some 40% of its members are Canadian, and many don’t want to attend due to Trump administration policies. The solution? A three-part format. NASSS will host a smaller Seattle event, a parallel in-person gathering at UBC Robson Square in Vancouver, and a virtual option.
Accor Selects MeetingPackage for Real-Time Bookings

2 weeks ago | meetings.skift.com | Andrea Doyle

Accor has named MeetingPackage as its exclusive global partner for the automation of group bookings and meeting room reservations – the goal is to reduce the typical 48-hour response time to RFPs and enable near real-time booking. Group business can account for 30% to 40% of net revenue at business hotels, but manual workflows and legacy systems have slowed conversions.
In a World of Uncertainty, Contracts Are Event Planners’ First Line of Defense

2 weeks ago | meetings.skift.com | Andrea Doyle

Who’s on the hook when a big event gets canceled: The planner or the venue? The question is coming up more and more as global instability reshapes the landscape for meetings and events. Trybe, a women-focused conference, canceled its inaugural May event in Las Vegas, citing pushback against diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Air Force canceled its 2025 Life Cycle Industry Days conference in March. The Georgia Public Health Association canceled its 2025 conference in February.
Tariff Truce Sparks Cautious Optimism in Meetings Industry

3 weeks ago | meetings.skift.com | Andrea Doyle

The recent agreement between the United States and China to roll back tariffs for a 90-day period has provided welcome, if tentative, relief to the global events industry. While the move could restore some momentum for cross-border events, industry leaders warn that the underlying economic and geopolitical tensions remain unresolved. Greater Pacific, a 31-year-old U.S.-based promotional products supplier, had paused all projects after the tariffs took effect.
Event Cancellations Surge, but Planners Want Hotels to Pay Up

3 weeks ago | meetings.skift.com | Andrea Doyle

Travel restrictions and geopolitical tensions are driving event cancellations, leading to disputes between planners and hotels over contracts and compensation. Brett Sterenson, president of Hotel Lobbyists, a site-selection company that works mainly with government events, had 59 cancellations so far this year. They totaled $2.57 million in lost hotel revenue, with little to no commission paid to his firm.