Michelle Milligan, Society of Government Meeting Professionals National President (SGMP), discusses with Meetings Today the impact of the U.S. federal government shutdown on meeting planners and the meetings industry.

Meetings Today’s Tyler Davidson talks with Destination DC chief Elliott Ferguson about the federal government shutdown and how Washington, D.C., is navigating it. They also discuss hot spots for planners and attendees to visit and see while in D.C.

Meetings Today’s Tyler Davidson talks with Thrive! Meetings & Events’ Tracy Stuckrath about what planners need to know about F&B preferences, restrictions and how to make sure attendees who have allergies are protected. Stuckrath is the foremost group F&B food allergy expert in the industry.

Meetings Today’s Tyler Davidson discusses the “what-ifs” regarding internet connectivity and audiovisual services following reports that CenturyLink suffered severe outages across its network. Also, Jon Trask fills meeting planners in on his tips for saving money on AV at events.

Meetings Today’s Tyler Davidson saddled up for behind-the-scenes access to the Grand National Rodeo, held in mid-October 2018 at the Cow Palace, in Daly City, California. Like the 77-year-old venue, the multigenerational world of rodeo is a quintessential study in Americana, attracting young and old to test their mettle. Tyler interviews Cindy Rosser, the second-generation leader of Flying U Rodeo Company, and Ellen Carr, a 70-year-old former competitor whose granddaughter tested her skill at Jackpot Barrel Racing at the event.