Disruption in the Events Industry – AGAIN.
Howard Givner shared an article on 3/17/25, outlining major headwinds facing the events industry, and I couldn’t agree more.
Here’s a summary of his key points — and why we need to pay attention.
Unlike the pandemic, which was a single earthquake, we’re now dealing with a barrage of mini-quakes — policy chaos, tariffs, and government budget cuts — creating ripple effects across the industry:
???Tariff Turmoil – Costs are rising on A/V, fabrication, rentals, food & beverage, making sponsorships harder to sell and events more expensive to produce.
???Government Spending Freezes – The U.S. government is cutting travel and conference spending, forcing cancellations that hurt planners, vendors, and local economies.
???Events Labeled ‘Non-Essential’ – A new executive order forces federal employees to justify conference attendance, assuming events don’t matter. But events are now the #1 marketing channel for ROI and trust, with ~25% of marketing budgets invested in them. Events aren’t optional — they are essential.
???A Leadership Vacuum – Many industry associations remain silent, leaving event professionals without advocacy.
???What can we do?
Change happens person by person, voice by voice.
Howard mentioned Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance, which is doing important work.
I’d also add that the Live Events Coalition (LEC) — where I serve as a National Board Member & Vice-Chair of Government Affairs — is the only industry group fighting for ALL event sectors, including:
??Corporate Events (including Non-Profit / Association)
??Fundraising & Political Events
??Celebrations
??Fairs & Festivals
??Sporting Events
??Performances
LEC was founded in March 2020, and we got a relief bill passed in the US House. While it narrowly failed in the Senate, it proved that when we come together, we create change. The challenges we face?now also require collective action.
???LEC is STILL here for you!
The Live Events Coalition has been working quietly in the background since we all got back to work, but now we’re becoming more vocal again. Watch for updates on this page, as well as on the LEC page for ways to take action.
To start, I recently shared a survey request from Mainstreet Alliance to gather small business input. If you’re in the events industry, make your voice heard.??? in Comments.
??Exciting news! We are revamping the LEC website! https://lnkd.in/gJ5FMuG3
???Visit NOW to join our e-mail list!
?? Soon, you can sign up to volunteer, and let us know how you want to get involved.
???Get ready to share YOUR story. We need real-world examples of how these policies impact businesses.
This is how change happens.
We must show that these policies aren’t just bad for events — they’re bad for business. In the US, AND globally.
Your voice matters. Let’s make sure it’s heard.
???Read Howard Givner’s full article: https://lnkd.in/g3VRvmDY
