[msumpter]

IMO the conference market has taken a hit in general prior to the Trump administration. For the previous several years, attendance and sponsorships were trending down, it seemed like most companies budgets were being pulled from onsite training to virtual and sponsoring companies wanted to focus on their own niche mini show around their products only. We had a healthy percent of international attendees that came in every year, I can only imagine with sentiment being customs/immigration is getting worse for travelers, that would discourage attendees from coming in.

[oligopoly]

Market got flooded with too many bs conferenced trying to make a quick buck.

[msumpter]

I don't disagree with the sentiment, but I think we didn't fully appreciate how much the 'social' aspect of the show was more important than the 'education' we provided. We de-epmhesized the after show social hours and other parties, and instead focused on marketing the education factor, and gradually the fun left the show along with the people. But that's my personal opinion.