The latest reports from CDC and WHO suggest the BA.2 subvariant of Covid might reverse the decline in cases across North America and Europe. Host destinations—or meeting hosts themselves—might then consider changing their attendance rules.

This week, South by Southwest is hoping to approach its 2019 in-person attendance of 280,000 while showing off an unprecedented virtual presence too.

Inflation plus economic sanctions on Russia have contributed to an almost 50-percent spike in airline fuel costs over the past four months. As a result, meeting hosts might see rising airfares act as a headwind for their in-person events.

Here’s our growing list of meetings-related organizations and conferences that are suspending business with Russia, or otherwise working to make a difference as the war in Ukraine drags on.

SISO takes a stand while other organizations with sizable Russian memberships opt to tread lightly.

Covid case numbers have dropped dramatically, but the effect of that improvement on business-travel stats isn’t immediate.

Last week’s show in Barcelona got a sizable crowd. Is that a harbinger of good fortune for other 2022 meetings and trade shows, or will it prove to be just a momentary blip?