Informa's Redesigned Gaming Festival Loses a Third of Attendees 📉

Game developers voted with their feet against Informa's festivalization push.

View in browser Unsubscribe Tuesday March 17, 2026 Greetings! Here's a quick overview of what you can find in this newsletter: • Crypto conferences are the latest casualties of the Iran war. • A community-focused music festival is offering $0-down ticketing. • Emerald is exploring a sale following a spree of acquisitions. • Informa's redesigned gaming festival lost one-third of attendees. • Atlantic City makes the case for nostalgia in the age of AI. News   Andrea Doyle Executive Editor Envato Crypto Conferences Pull Out of Dubai as Iran War Intensifies Crypto traders are used to financial volatility, but the war in Iran has introduced a different kind of instability. It is disrupting the events ecosystem that the city spent years building. Event Marketing   Miguel Neves Editor-in-Chief PGM PR / Jeffrey Neubauer / Neubauer Media How a Community-Focused Music Festival Is Rethinking Ticket Sales This independently-owned festival promises to do things differently, and its supportive community is coming along for the ride. News   Andrea Doyle Executive Editor Emerald After a Year of Big Buys, Emerald is Exploring a Sale After a 2025 spree of acquisitions targeting high-growth markets, Emerald is now attracting buyers of its own. News   Miguel Neves Editor-in-Chief Unsplash / Florian Olivo Informa's Redesigned Gaming Festival Loses a Third of Attendees Game developers voted with their feet against Informa's festivalization push. It appears the experience this community is looking for is not the one organizers sold. Destinations Visit Atlantic City In the Age of AI, Is Nostalgia the Answer for Elevating the Attendee Experience? Together With   Visit Atlantic City As more travelers increasingly look for a break from constant talk about technology, learn how one destination is tapping into its roots with a classic American board game to stand out from the crowd. Further Reading Hotels 10 New and Noteworthy Second-Tier City Hotels for Groups For companies considering smaller cities, these 10 new/renewed U.S. hotels caught the attention of Skift Meetings' editors. - Barbara Scofidio   News Informa Delays Major Dubai Event as Middle East Conflict Threatens More Shows Informa has postponed its first major Middle East show amid the war in Iran, moving a 50,000-person Dubai energy event to September. If the conflict drags on, more events across the region could be shifted or relocated. - Andrea Doyle   News With U.S. Cities on High Alert, Events Ramp Up Security Heightened terrorism concerns linked to the Middle East conflict are prompting planners to increase security measures and coordinate more closely with law enforcement. - Barbara Scofidio   News SXSW 2026 Under Pressure to Deliver SXSW's 2026 edition will offer a preview of how large citywide events adapt when venues shutter, schedules compress, and worrying attendance trends reshape the bottom line. - Andrea Doyle Defining the future of events. Skift. 35 W 31st St., New York, NY, 10001, USA Follow Us: LinkedIn   |  X   |  Facebook   |  Instagram   |  YouTube You received this because you are subscribed to Newsletter | Skift Meetings Stand-Up from Skift. For Gmail users: If you are using the tabbed inbox, Skift emails may be pushed to the 'Promotions' tab. To get updates from Skift direct to your primary inbox, drag and drop this email to that tab.

With U.S. Cities on High Alert, Events Ramp Up Security

Heightened terrorism concerns linked to the Middle East conflict are prompting planners to increase security at their events. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

View in browser Unsubscribe Saturday March 14, 2026 Greetings! Here's what's in store for you today: Informa has postponed its first major Middle East show amid the war in Iran. Are more postponements to come?  Heightened terrorism concerns linked to the Middle East conflict have planners on high alert. 10 new and noteworthy second-tier city hotels for groups. News   Andrea Doyle Executive Editor tampatra Informa Delays Major Dubai Event as Middle East Conflict Threatens More Shows Informa has postponed its first major Middle East show amid the war in Iran, moving a 50,000-person Dubai energy event to September. If the conflict drags on, more events across the region could be shifted or relocated.   SKIFT IDEA AWARDS       Recognizing the most impactful and inspiring projects Submit your entry in five meetings and events categories: hotels, venues & convention centers, destination marketing organizations, event technology, and cruise lines. Purchase at the lowest price today and have until July 1 to submit your entry. PURCHASE YOUR ENTRY On the road   Barbara Scofidio Editor Unplash/OBI With U.S. Cities on High Alert, Events Ramp Up Security Heightened terrorism concerns linked to the Middle East conflict are prompting planners to increase security measures and coordinate more closely with law enforcement. Events | September 22 (New York) Skift Meetings Forum 2026 Skift Meetings' flagship event will bring together event leaders for a deep-dive on how the business of events is reinventing itself. This game-changing gathering gives event professionals the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly shifting business and geopolitical landscape. More info News   Barbara Scofidio Editor Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel 10 New and Noteworthy Second-Tier City Hotels for Groups For companies considering smaller cities, these 10 new/renewed U.S. hotels caught the attention of Skift Meetings' editors.   Further Reading News Iran War Pushes Inaugural Middle East Theme Park Expo to 2027 The postponement wipes out millions in revenue for the year and puts pressure on organizers to manage refunds, rebookings, and the reputation of a major new regional launch. - Andrea Doyle   Travel Oil Price Shock Could Mean 10%+ Fare Hike Jet fuel is the single largest expense for most airlines and executives will face pressure to respond soon with higher fares. - Seth Borko   News First Two Blue Angels Shows of 2026 Are Canceled Military bases have been forced to increase security in reaction to the growing threat of terrorism, leaving two organizers with no choice but to call off their popular air shows. - Barbara Scofidio   News SXSW 2026 Under Pressure to Deliver SXSW's 2026 edition will offer a preview of how large citywide events adapt when venues shutter, schedules compress, and worrying attendance trends reshape the bottom line. - Andrea Doyle   Technology Event Tech & AI News Roundup - March 2026 One major investment stole the spotlight, but most event tech companies are focused on partnerships, integrations, and — of course — AI upgrades. - Miguel Neves   On the Road Is High-End Luggage Worth It? There's a wide price gap between the luggage you will find at your favorite discount retailer and the top-rated names. What makes some brands so much more expensive — and are they worth it? - Barbara Scofidio Defining the future of events. Skift. 35 W 31st St., New York, NY, 10001, USA Follow Us: LinkedIn   |  X   |  Facebook   |  Instagram   |  YouTube You received this because you are subscribed to Newsletter | Skift Meetings Stand-Up from Skift. For Gmail users: If you are using the tabbed inbox, Skift emails may be pushed to the 'Promotions' tab. To get updates from Skift direct to your primary inbox, drag and drop this email to that tab.