Federal Expressions: How Tariffs and Other Policies are Impacting Meetings

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Save the dateMay 15, 202508:00 - 10:00 (EDT) Add to Calendar

Venue Location

Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park

Fairview Park Drive 3111
Falls Church, Virginia

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Organizer

Organizer: FLEX: Fairfax Loudoun Event Executives

Contact Person: Claire Marble / Phil Rappoport

Email: info@flex-planners.com

Event Details

Recent executive orders and other policy moves by the White House have reverberated within the business travel community, according to a recent survey from the Global Business Travel Association. Other consumer news outlets and meeting industry publications have published similar reports.

Some meetings have experienced registration cancellations, and others are bracing for potential increased costs due to materials reliant on imports.

At the same time, a number of meeting and event industry leaders are urging caution and patience while government-issued orders and discussions play out or policies are reversed or curbed. Meanwhile, certain associations are actively advocating their positions on Capitol Hill. ASAE, for example, is closely monitoring comments made by the White House that some nonprofits could lose their tax-exempt status.

For the immediate term, how have your meetings been affected? Is your forecast changing or is it business as usual? What do your attendees, sponsors, partners, and vendors say or ask of your organization? Finally, is your organization modifying its messaging around your annual meeting?

We'll explore this topic in-depth with our dynamic panel, who will discuss the impact on association, government/military, and nonprofit meetings among other sectors.

Agenda

08:00 - 08:30
Hot & Cold Breakfast Buffet & Networking
Hot & Cold Breakfast Buffet & Networking
08:30 - 08:50
Welcome & Introductions
Welcome & Introductions
08:50 - 09:00
Sponsor presentations
Sponsor presentations
09:00 - 10:00
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion

Speakers

Cristina P. Scott

Senior Vice President, Americas at Global Business Travel Association

Sekeno Aldred

Director of Learning Programs and Events at Goodwill Industries International

Sekeno Aldred

Director of Learning Programs and Events at Goodwill Industries International

Website

Sekeno Aldred is a seasoned professional in the events and meetings industry, currently serving as the Director of Learning Programs & Events at Goodwill Industries International, based in Rockville, Maryland.

With over 27 years of experience as a CMP, Sekeno has held various event planning roles within different industries. Sekeno received her Master of Tourism Administration (MTA) with a focus on Event Management from The George Washington University - School of Business and most recently got her Certified Event Design designation.

Throughout her career, Sekeno has demonstrated a commitment to professional development and networking, contributing significantly to the meetings industry through mentorship.

Tammy Goehring

Vice President, Events and Operations at AFCEA International

Tammy Goehring

Vice President, Events and Operations at AFCEA International

Website

Tammy Goehring, CMP, has more than 20 years of experience in meeting, event, and program management. In her current role, she provides overall strategy and operational guidance for conference and event activities. AFCEA produces high-profile events which promote the association’s mission by providing an ethical forum for information sharing among military, government, industry, and academia in the National Security and Defense Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) community.

Prior to joining the conferences and events team, Tammy worked in the membership department where she managed several functional committees, including Membership, Strategic Development and Small Business. She led the development of AFCEA’s Small Business Program in 2008 to better serve this vital segment of the membership.

Tammy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration in Management. Her professional education includes the Digital Event Strategist (DES) certification from PCMA.

Tammy honed her orientation for adaptability and embracing change as she enjoyed numerous relocations as a U.S. Army spouse. A native of Long Island, she lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two children. She’s also a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts!

Marshall Nayer

Deputy Director of Meetings at American Society of Hematology

Marshall Nayer

Deputy Director of Meetings at American Society of Hematology

Website

For the past 15 years, Marshall has been an integral part of the success of the ASH’s in-person and virtual meetings, including the flagship annual meeting as well as domestic and international small specialty meetings. Strategically, Marshall has contributed to ASH’s strong financial position and increased attendance trends. He currently oversees ASH’s small meetings portfolio which provides access to the organization’s annual meeting content to hematologists in North America, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Mediterranean, and beyond. He also leads critical annual meeting-related projects, including registration and housing, session scheduling, and the management of the meeting’s content delivery timeline. He proudly serves on PCMA’s recently developed United States and Canada Advisory Board.

Outside of work, Marshall is a loving husband to his wife Allison and dedicated father to his two sons, Wes (10) and Max (14). When he’s not at ASH headquarters or traveling for the Society, he’s on a baseball field somewhere on the East Coast or trying to squeeze in a round of golf!

Sponsors and Partners

Community

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Tickets

Meeting Planner/Organizer

Registration for meeting planners employed by associations, nonprofits, corporations, government agencies, NGOs, and independent meeting professionals.

Complimentary

Supplier

We welcome individuals and companies who provide goods and services to event organizers. Includes hospitality providers and properties, convention and tourism bureaus, destination management companies, audio/visual and technology providers, photography, exhibition and sponsorship sales, employees of national meeting industry organizations, consultants, speakers, publishing entities, general services contractors, Internet-related services, transportation or freight services, signage/printing companies, premium incentives, and others.

FLEX reserves the right to limit the number of representatives from the same company. The fee for each subsequent ticket purchased by the same supplier organization will be adjusted to $75 prior to accepting payment.

In order to maintain the integrity of a favorable planner-to-supplier ratio, suppliers will be notified if their registrations are approved, and then they may proceed to payment.

* Due to the demand, a wait list has been activated for suppliers.

$50

Association / Nonprofit Executive

Select this ticket if you are a leader or manager of an association or nonprofit who collaborates with internal or independent meeting organizers.

Complimentary

Student/Faculty

Currently attending or teaching at a local college or university, with a program related to hospitality, tourism management, and events.

Complimentary

Summer Camp Announcement is Imminent!

We're currently planning our 8th annual one-day summer gathering. Watch the recap video!

Visit our website and social media pages for up-to-the-minute announcements.

2025 Dates and Sponsorship Opportunities

Mark your calendars now for upcoming FLEX breakfast programs:

Thursday, September 18 (Location TBA)

Thursday, November 20 (Location TBA)

Summer Camp: August! Date to be announced in May.

Breakfast Sponsorships, Venue Hosting, and Summer Camp Sponsor/Exhibitor Reserve List: contact Claire Marble at claire.marble@conferencedirect.com.

Dates subject to change. Registration announcements will be sent approximately 4-5 weeks prior. Seating is limited. FLEX members receive priority registration emails. Join FLEX for free.

The FLEX May 2025 Breakfast Program

Hot & Cold Breakfast Buffet & Networking

Hot & Cold Breakfast Buffet & Networking

Welcome & Introductions

Welcome & Introductions

Sponsor presentations

Sponsor presentations

Panel Discussion

Panel Discussion

Cristina P. Scott

Senior Vice President, Americas at Global Business Travel Association

Sekeno Aldred

Director of Learning Programs and Events at Goodwill Industries International

Tammy Goehring

Vice President, Events and Operations at AFCEA International

Marshall Nayer

Deputy Director of Meetings at American Society of Hematology

Organizer

Program Sponsors

Venue Sponsor

Strategic Partners

Signage Sponsor

Connect with 85 people attending this event

Meeting Planner/Organizer

Supplier

Association / Nonprofit Executive

Student/Faculty