Timeline: Event Pros Battle 'AIG Effect' to Keep America Meeting
Many individuals and groups have worked to improve public perception of the events industry in the face of public scrutiny. Here’s a timeline of the milestone moments
by Rachel Globus | Published in June 2009 A.I.G. effect | economy | event savvy | Keep America Meeting | meetings | Departments
Oct. 7, 2008
Public outcry begins when it’s revealed AIG hosted a $440,000 retreat less than a week after a $85 billion in government bailout money.
Feb. 2, 2009
Bank of America blasted for sponsoring Super Bowl event after receiving a $45 billion bailout.
Feb. 4
Wells Fargo cancels plans to host employee conference in Las Vegas amid pressure from lawmakers, media and public.
Feb. 10
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman demands apology from President Barack Obama for comments discouraging corporate travel to the city.
Feb. 11
Keep America Meeting (KAM) officially launches, asking for signatures supporting the meeting, events and incentive travel industry on a petition to be delivered to Congress. It has already collected over 1,000 signatures during its soft launch phase.
Feb. 12
Petition has 3,781 signatures.
March 4
U.S. Travel Association (USTA) launches “Meetings Mean Business” campaign to push back against the political demonization of business meetings and events.
March 11
Travel industry CEOs meet with President Obama. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs comments, “The president believes it’s important to have a strong tourism industry and … that we shouldn’t retrench.”
March 12
Washington Post publishes column by J.W. Marriott Jr., “Memo to Business: Let’s Meet.”
March 13
KAM petition reaches 17,000 signatures within one month.
April 6
Texas Roadhouse CEO G.J. Hart defends his investment in meetings in MSNBC interview.
May 12
Event, meeting, travel and tourism professionals from more than 40 cities participate in U.S. Travel Rally Day.
May 14
Keep America Meeting petition signatures — numbering over 21,000 — delivered to Washington.
About the author: Rachel Globus
Rachel Globus is the former editor and education director for Event Solutions.