WASHINGTON, D.C. — The ongoing federal government shutdown is disrupting trade shows and business events.
As the shutdown enters its second week, thousands of flights have been delayed nationwide including in major hubs like Chicago, Las Vegas, Nashville and Philadelphia.
In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration is reporting staffing shortages, which is adding to the delays. Air traffic controllers and TSA agents are considered essential employees and must report to work despite not receiving pay during the shutdown.
According to Tommy Goodwin, Executive Vice President of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), during the last government shutdown back in 2018-19, the number of employees calling out sick went up as much as 300% year-over-year in some airports, leading to longer security lines and delays.
Another impact has been the cancellation of government-focused shows. The National Defense Transportation Association and U.S. Transportation Command’s fall gathering, scheduled Oct. 6-9 in St. Louis with 2,000 expected attendees, was canceled due to the shutdown. This is an economic loss for both the organizing association and the host city.
While the State Department’s consular services continue operating through fee collections, extended shutdowns could lead to suspension of non-emergency visa services. This poses particular concerns for international exhibitors and attendees planning to participate in U.S. trade shows next year.
The Trade Event Partnership Program (TEPP), which helps international buyers attend U.S. trade shows, has been paused with Commerce Department employees furloughed. “That means that commercial service officers can’t accompany any buyer delegations for events taking place while the government is closed for business,” Goodwin said.
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The shutdown’s timing creates particular challenges for events planned for 2026. Visa processing delays could affect international participation, while reduced government support for trade promotion activities may impact exhibitor recruitment and international buyer programs.
“With visa wait times already too high in many locations, this could be bad news for some would-be international exhibitors and attendees looking to come to events in the U.S.,” Goodwin added.
According to Tourism Economics, the travel economy is at risk of losing $1 billion a week due to disruptions in air and rail travel and the closure of national parks and museums.
“A shutdown is a wholly preventable blow to America’s travel economy … and affecting millions of travelers and businesses while placing unnecessary strain on an already overextended federal travel workforce,” Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of U.S. Travel Association, stated. “The longer a shutdown drags on, the more likely we are to see longer TSA lines, flight delays and cancellations, national parks in disrepair and unnecessary delays in modernizing travel infrastructure.”
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which produces CES, remains optimistic. “We look forward to welcoming U.S. officials to CES 2026 and encourage a quick resolution. We expect government guests from across the globe to participate in the Leaders in Technology Program and Innovation Policy Summit conference track. CES continues to be the platform for elected officials to have important conversations around tech solving global challenges,” a CES spokesperson said.
Gary Shapiro, CEO and Vice Chair of CTA, commented on LinkedIn, “Shutdowns interrupt vital conversations between government and industry, stall trade talks, disrupt services Americans rely on, demoralize government workers and make our democracy seem unstable to the rest of the world. We can’t be globally competitive if we periodically shut down government!”
What can the industry do?
“Trade show organizers are encouraged to reach out to their customers with pertinent updates and stay tuned for the latest developments from ECA,” Goodwin said.
Reach Tommy Goodwin at tommy.goodwin@exhibitionsconferencesalliance.org
