Andrea Doyle

Senior Editor at Skift Meetings

Executive Editor, Skift Meetings

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Articles

The Spotlight Fades on Celebrity Speakers

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

Planners are increasingly passing on celebrity speakers in favor of subject matter experts who deliver deeper value at lower cost. It’s a shift speaker bureaus are tracking closely. Mike Taubleb, founder of Promenade Speakers Bureau, said his company has experienced not only a shift away from high-profile speakers with steep fees, but fewer inquiries overall, and longer decision-making lead times. “Some clients are simply unable to commit to premium fees,” said Taubleb.
Women Leaders in Meetings: Janet Traphagen

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

Janet Traphagen joined Creative Group in 1996 and has risen from account manager to president, a role she’s held since 2014. Under her leadership, the company, which specializes in meetings, events, and incentive programs, has navigated major industry shifts. A past chair of the Incentive Research Foundation, Traphagen also serves as an advisor to global hospitality brands and mentors small business owners through programs in the Chicago area.
NASA Faces Steep Budget Cuts, One Space Meeting Has Already Been Scrapped

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

NASA is facing a proposed 24% budget cut. The financial uncertainty is already hitting the events sector. The International Space Station Research and Development Conference, planned for July in Seattle, has been canceled just two months out.
Canceled, Moving to Canada: Science Conferences Shun the U.S.

3 weeks 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

4 weeks 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

4 weeks 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

4 weeks 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

1 month 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

1 month 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

1 month 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.