Iran War Already Cost One Planner $1.5 Million

Cancellations are now pushing further into the 2026 calendar as uncertainty reshapes demand.

View in browser Unsubscribe Thursday March 26, 2026 Greetings! Here's a quick overview of the main stories in this newsletter: • Convene Hospitality Group Raises $230 Million for Expansion • Airfare Hikes Are Another Blow to Strained Meeting Budgets • Iran War Costs Planner $1.5 Million • ICYMI: One of the Most Influential Meeting Agencies on its Global Expansion News   Andrea Doyle Executive Editor Convene Hospitality Group Raises $230 Million for Expansion Convene's evolution into a multi-brand platform is drawing strong investor interest. LinkedIn Live | March 31 @ 11 AM (ET) How the Iran War Is Impacting Global Events Learn how the Iran war is forcing planners to make impossible decisions about Middle East events, while impacting the business of events globally. Joining us are Nicola Kastner, CEO of Event Leaders Exchange (ELX), and Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General of UITP. Don't Miss It! Travel   Barbara Scofidio Editor Airfare Hikes Are Another Blow to Strained Meeting Budgets For many planners, budgets have struggled to keep up with rising costs — and now they face potential increases of 20% or more on air travel.   SKIFT IDEA AWARDS       Recognizing the most impactful and inspiring projects You can win Skift IDEA Awards in five meetings and events categories: hotels, venues & convention centers, destination marketing organizations, event technology, and cruise lines. Lock in the lowest price today and submit your entry by July 1. PURCHASE YOUR ENTRY News   Andrea Doyle Executive Editor Iran War Costs Planner $1.5 Million Financial losses stemming from the Iran War continue to mount, with cancellations now pushing further into the 2026 calendar as uncertainty reshapes global event demand. 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 M&I 15 ICYMI: One of the Most Influential Meeting Agencies on its Global Expansion Take a closer look at the strategy that shapes one of the names on Skift Meetings' M&I 15 list and the company's growing European footprint. Further Reading News Caesars to Debut Vanderpump Hotel, Targeting Small Groups In a market defined by mega-resorts, Caesars is betting on a boutique property for executive-level meetings.   Incentive Travel How U.S. Companies Are Handling Middle East Incentives Some companies with incentive programs scheduled in the Middle East region are staying put — at least, for now.    Event Logistics & Operations 6 Things You Won't Find on a Site Inspection Checklist Some of the most important considerations when you visit a property are more subtle than specs.   Destinations Chicago Increases Hotel Tax to Win More Conventions Chicago is joining other convention cities using higher hotel taxes to better fund destination marketing and offer cash incentives, but it may be pushing costs toward a tipping point. 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.

Asia travel is at an inflection point. Join us in Bangkok.

Hi there, Asia travel is moving fast right now - and not always in the direction anyone predicted.   Hotel RevPAR across APAC is surging. Vietnam is drawing a wave of global capital. Chinese outbound is reshaping regional routes. And the Iran conflict has thrown Middle East transit hubs into flux, disrupting travel flows for nearly half of Southeast Asian operators - forcing the industry to rethink demand assumptions in real time.   These aren't background trends. They're live strategic challenges - and they're exactly what we'll be working through at Skift Asia Forum 2026, April 28-29 at the Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel.   The agenda is built around three questions every senior travel leader in Asia is wrestling with right now: • Where is growth in Asia actually durable? • Who controls demand in Asia's travel ecosystem? • What operating models will win in the next phase?   You'll hear directly from executives navigating these questions at scale - including Alan Watts (President APAC, Hilton), Omri Morgenshtern (CEO, Agoda), Jihong He (Chief Strategy Officer, H World), Boon Sian Chai (VP International Markets, Trip.com Group), Philipp Kandal (CPO, Grab), and Laura Houldsworth (MD & VP APAC, Booking.com), among others.   We put significant effort into curating who's in the room. The conversations at Skift Asia Forum are only as good as the people having them - so we deliberately build an audience anchored around senior buyers: the founders, operators, and decision-makers who set the direction of travel businesses across the region. That's what keeps the dialogue honest, strategic, and grounded in how the industry actually works.   Last year's forum brought together 380 senior leaders from 19 countries, with 80% at director level or above.   How to join us: If you're a director-level or above buyer in travel, hospitality, aviation, or destination management - you may qualify for a complimentary pass. Apply here to be considered: [Apply to attend]   If you're a supplier or solution provider - tickets are available to purchase at $595. You'll be joining a room built around the people who matter most to your business. Secure your seat here: [Buy a ticket]   We expect to sell out. Please don't wait.   Best, Peden Bhutia Asia Editor, Skift Skift, 35 W 31st St., Frnt 1, New York, NY 10001, USA Manage preferences