COVID-19 Pandemic: An Unwelcome Event in Meetings & Event Travel

Summary

The U.S. meetings and event travel segment celebrated a thriving year as 2019 came to an end. Various destinations and hotels enjoyed steady growth, and some reported record years for groups. By March 2020, however, the COVID-19 pandemic brought U.S. meetings and event travel to a screeching halt, along with overall travel worldwide. Based on a survey of meetings and event travelers, along with interviews with executives from city and state destination marketing organizations, convention and visitors bureaus, hotels and others, this report explores the impact of the novel coronavirus on meetings and event travel in the U.S.