First, I want to address DEI. Consider shifting the focus from the label “DEI” to a narrative centered on something like “Building a Culture of Opportunity.” This approach can spotlight tangible benefits—like enhanced innovation, better teamwork, and stronger community engagement—without getting entangled in politically charged terminology. Instead of framing your message as a checklist of diversity initiatives, you can highlight how creating an environment where every perspective is valued naturally drives success and collective growth. A reframe may resonate with audiences across the political spectrum while underscoring the idea that a thriving organization or community should be built on fairness, respect, and mutual opportunity. Note, don’t assume no one wants DEI anymore. Many courageous and smart (my take) companies will green-light it. I just want to be a realist.
Here’s a take from North Star Meetings Group and Brett Sterenson, president of Hotel Lobbyists. He reports what he considers a seismic shift in the government meetings arena. Since January 20, he’s seen 18 cancellations—nearly $300,000 in lost hotel revenue—and the trend seems only to worsen, averaging two cancellations a day recently. These cancellations stem from a storm of executive orders, federal workforce downsizing, budget freezes, and communication pauses from the new presidential administration.
Sterenson, who’s been in this game for 18 years, compares this crisis to two other monumental moments in the meetings industry: Marriott’s drastic cut in hotel commissions and the pandemic. But he’s quick to note that this isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. While many government meetings are still happening, his specialty—government meetings—has been hit particularly hard. Some of his clients are soldiering on with their events. Still, meetings at agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services have been put on indefinite hold due to these sweeping changes. State Department meetings have been scrapped when they involve attendees from countries without U.S. funding.
A significant chunk of the cancellations—about half—are linked to an executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). For some events, government employees are pulling out in masse, resulting in associations having little choice but to cancel, while in other cases, entire DEI divisions have simply been axed.
Sterenson fears that as hotels start to feel the burn of these ongoing cancellations, they may become reluctant to sign flexible contracts tailored to government meetings. While some industry voices—like those from the Society of Government Meeting Professionals—suggest that overall cancellation rates remain low, the uncertainty in the government sector tells a different story. Sterenson’s outlook is cautious: even if government meetings eventually return, they’ll likely be smaller in scale and fewer in number, fundamentally reshaping an industry he’s been a part of for nearly two decades.
So, I want you to consider how you can address the same initiatives in a more user-friendly way while navigating a challenging political landscape.
The entire article can be found here: https://www.northstarmeetingsgroup.com/News/Industry/government-meeting-cancellations?utm_source=eNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=eltrMtgNews&oly_enc_id=6576I6072334D0A
Copyright 2025, Lois Creamer. Lois Creamer works with professional speakers who want to book more business, make more money, and monetize their message.
Check out the newest edition of her book, Book More Business: Make MORE Money Speaking available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/ci7yWxz
Reach her in the following ways: Lois@BookMoreBusiness.com
314-374-4007
For more information on Lois’s business, check out https://www.bookmorebusiness.com.
Sign up for my blog posts so you don’t miss any at http://www.BookMoreBusiness.com/blog.
DEI, Cultural Agility and The Future of Government Meetings
First, I want to address DEI. Consider shifting the focus from the label “DEI” to a narrative centered on something like “Building a Culture of Opportunity.” This approach can spotlight tangible benefits—like enhanced innovation, better teamwork, and stronger community engagement—without getting entangled in politically charged terminology. Instead of framing your message as a checklist of diversity initiatives, you can highlight how creating an environment where every perspective is valued naturally drives success and collective growth. A reframe may resonate with audiences across the political spectrum while underscoring the idea that a thriving organization or community should be built on fairness, respect, and mutual opportunity. Note, don’t assume no one wants DEI anymore. Many courageous and smart (my take) companies will green-light it. I just want to be a realist.
Here’s a take from North Star Meetings Group and Brett Sterenson, president of Hotel Lobbyists. He reports what he considers a seismic shift in the government meetings arena. Since January 20, he’s seen 18 cancellations—nearly $300,000 in lost hotel revenue—and the trend seems only to worsen, averaging two cancellations a day recently. These cancellations stem from a storm of executive orders, federal workforce downsizing, budget freezes, and communication pauses from the new presidential administration.
Sterenson, who’s been in this game for 18 years, compares this crisis to two other monumental moments in the meetings industry: Marriott’s drastic cut in hotel commissions and the pandemic. But he’s quick to note that this isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. While many government meetings are still happening, his specialty—government meetings—has been hit particularly hard. Some of his clients are soldiering on with their events. Still, meetings at agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services have been put on indefinite hold due to these sweeping changes. State Department meetings have been scrapped when they involve attendees from countries without U.S. funding.
A significant chunk of the cancellations—about half—are linked to an executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). For some events, government employees are pulling out in masse, resulting in associations having little choice but to cancel, while in other cases, entire DEI divisions have simply been axed.
Sterenson fears that as hotels start to feel the burn of these ongoing cancellations, they may become reluctant to sign flexible contracts tailored to government meetings. While some industry voices—like those from the Society of Government Meeting Professionals—suggest that overall cancellation rates remain low, the uncertainty in the government sector tells a different story. Sterenson’s outlook is cautious: even if government meetings eventually return, they’ll likely be smaller in scale and fewer in number, fundamentally reshaping an industry he’s been a part of for nearly two decades.
So, I want you to consider how you can address the same initiatives in a more user-friendly way while navigating a challenging political landscape.
The entire article can be found here: https://www.northstarmeetingsgroup.com/News/Industry/government-meeting-cancellations?utm_source=eNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=eltrMtgNews&oly_enc_id=6576I6072334D0A
Copyright 2025, Lois Creamer. Lois Creamer works with professional speakers who want to book more business, make more money, and monetize their message.
Check out the newest edition of her book, Book More Business: Make MORE Money Speaking available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/ci7yWxz
Reach her in the following ways: Lois@BookMoreBusiness.com
314-374-4007
For more information on Lois’s business, check out https://www.bookmorebusiness.com.
Sign up for my blog posts so you don’t miss any at http://www.BookMoreBusiness.com/blog.
