Join the PCMA Capital Chapter on Tuesday, May 5^th for Global Meetings Industry Day: Navigating Politics While Addressing Safety & Security Issues. This program will examine how major policy shifts from the Federal Government are having significant impacts on the events industry.

We will start the day by addressing the current climate in associations, business events and global travel, and conclude our educational program with a panel examining safety and security concerns around business events amidst rising large-scale protests, including the experience in Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge. In between, we are excited to offer a new dynamic experience that combines live panel conversation, destination storytelling and interactive hot sauce tastings in a format inspired by the YouTube sensation, Hot Ones.

Agenda

• 1:30 PM: Registration Desk Open / Check – In
• 2:00 – 3:00 PM: The Current Climate: How U.S. Policies Affect Associations, Meetings and Global Travel
• 3:00 – 3:30 PM: Break
• 3:30 – 4:15 PM: Hot Spots
• 4:15 – 4:30 PM: Break
• 4:30 – 5:30 PM: Politics, Protests and Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis – Their Impact on Safety Precautions and Your Meetings
• 5:30 – 7:00 PM: Networking Reception with CEMA

Program Details

The Current Climate: How U.S. Policies Affect Associations, Meetings and Global Travel

After 1 year of the Trump Administration, we can see the effects policy shifts and changing priorities have had on some of the cornerstones of the business events industry: associations, meetings and global travel. Many associations are dealing with federal funding cuts, increased scrutiny of tax-exempt status, and re-evaluations of DEI programs. Business event strategists are also facing challenges from policy changes, including, decreased international participation, cost increases from tariffs, and government shutdowns. Heightened focus on safety issues has slowed down the visa application process and changed the landscape of global travel. From our panelists, learn more about how U.S. policy changes are affecting our industry and how we might move forward in this current political climate.

• Mary Kate Cunningham, CAE – Chief Public Policy and Governance Officer. American Society of Association Executives
• Tommy Goodwin – President & CEO, Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance
• Additional panelist TBA 

Hot Spots

A dynamic new GMID experience that combines live panel conversation, destination storytelling, and interactive hot sauce tastings in a format inspired by Hot Ones. Designed to be both entertaining and insightful, the program highlights the impact of business events while giving attendees a memorable, flavor-filled way to engage with industry partners. Panelists TBA

Politics, Protests and Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis – Their Impact on Safety Precautions and Your Meetings

Large scale protests in the U.S. are an everyday reality. Resistance to changing policy priorities have resulted in both peaceful and violent protests. Both require heightened awareness of security measures as well as discerning the true “facts on the ground.” Venues and public infrastructure entities are under pressure to be both operationally secure as well as win the PR battle in communicating their “safeness” to the meeting attendee and the general public. Our panelists will discuss the measures they have taken, under increased scrutiny, to operate safely and what future safety protocols may mean to business events.

• Moderator: Marcus Eng, CMP Fellow, DES – Senior Director, Meeting Operations, American Public Transportation Association (moderator)
• Hootan Kaboli – Senior Vice President, Office of Executive VP & COO, Events DC
• Christy Loy – Senior Vice President, Destination Sales, Meet Minneapolis
• Additional panelist TBA

Continuing Education 

The PCMA Capital Chapter is a CMP Preferred Provider.  To ensure that you receive proper credit for attending this event, please be sure that you have opened a free account at (https://eic.learningbuilder.com/account/login) with the Events Industry Council BEFORE the event.

This event is included in the 2026 All Access Pass

Registration Rates

Planner Member – $45
Planner Non Member – $60
Supplier Member – $65
Supplier Non Member – $80
Student – $20

Cancellation Policy: Registrants may cancel up to 7 days before the event for a full refund, minus a $10 administration fee. No refunds will be made after this date. A request for cancellation must be submitted in writing via email request to [email protected]. Refunds will not be given for no-shows or missed travel logistics. Substitutions for this event are encouraged in lieu of cancellations.  If you do substitute, please include the following information: Email Address, First Name, Last Name, Designations, Job Title, Preferred/Badge Name, Company Name, Address, and Phone.