Skift Take
As political tensions and logistical hurdles grow, Canadian organizations are weighing their future involvement in American meetings and conventions.
From reconsidering long-standing travel plans to canceling major conference appearances, Canadian associations are reassessing their engagement with American events. That was the takeaway from an inquiry posted on March 27 in an online forum that includes 120 Canadian national specialty medical society leaders.
“Is your association still planning to hold or attend meetings in the U.S.? Have any decisions been made regarding cancelations, postponements, or shifts to virtual or Canadian-based alternatives?” were the questions posted in the forum.
Several organizations responded that they’d already pulled out of U.S. meetings, withdrawn speaker delegations, or pivoted toward virtual or domestic alternatives, according to responses to the inquiry that were shared with Skift Meetings.
Many of the organizations emphasized that their decisions are not political statements but a response to the sentiment of their members.
Many Canadian Associations Taking a Wait and See Approach
“The situation with the U.S.,” was cited by some association boards as the reason behind cancellations.
Some groups are taking a “wait and see” approach, particularly for events scheduled later in 2025 or 2026. Even for associations continuing with co-hosted U.S. events, questions remain about how robust Canadian participation will be.
A Complex Cross-Border Landscape
Multiple associations reported internal travel restrictions as a key obstacle. For others, the tone and perceived climate of U.S.-based events are adding to the uncertainty.
Member concerns around “discomfort,” “speaker censorship,” and “shifting federal policies” are prompting some groups to revisit their future event strategies.
Despite tensions, some are trying to maintain cross-border relationships. Some Canadian societies are hosting U.S. counterparts at their own events and incorporating symbolic gestures like co-branded giveaways.
Beyond participation, a few associations are also making behind-the-scenes changes to mitigate risk. One example is opening U.S.-based bank accounts to avoid currency exchange losses when working with American vendors.
Overall, the mood is one of caution.
