Event professionals are no strangers to uncertainty, but the start of 2025 has brought a new kind of turbulence. With rising geopolitical tensions and newly imposed tariffs between North America, Europe, China, and other countries, the events industry is once again bracing for impact. While the sector has shown remarkable resilience over the past few years, it now faces ripple effects that could change how events are planned, priced, and executed.
This post will explore how tariffs are impacting event housing specifically: from shifting international travel patterns to rising hotel costs and contract negotiations. Here’s what housing managers need to know to stay ahead.
The event industry thrives on open borders, global cooperation, and frictionless travel. As Julius Solaris notes in his newsletter, “The event industry operates at its best with few restrictions and in open commercial systems.” Unfortunately, the current climate is challenging all three of those conditions.
A recent report by Travel Economics projects a 15% drop in international inbound travel to the U.S. in 2025. This reduction fueled by new tariffs, increased border scrutiny, and political tensions threatens the viability of international-focused events and the revenue they generate.
Skift reports that planners are already seeing ripple effects: Attendee cancellations (especially international), Sponsors pulling out of U.S.-based events, and Government agency cutbacks impacting federally funded meetings.
While the full impacts are still unfolding, they represent a warning sign: if costs continue to rise and uncertainty lingers, attendee behavior will shift and so must our strategies.
Here are three ways the current climate is impacting event housing and what you can do about it.
Tariffs and supply chain volatility aren’t just abstract threats—they can directly impact hotel pricing, availability, and even amenities. Housing managers are often the first to feel the effects and are best positioned to proactively manage risk through strong contract negotiation.
Here’s what to prioritize when negotiating hotel agreements in this environment:
Tariffs and geopolitical tensions are leading to unpredictable booking patterns. International travel is dipping, prices are rising, and attendee behaviors are shifting—especially around when and how people book their accommodations.
This is where housing software becomes essential. By using your tools strategically, you can stay ahead of the volatility and support your event’s performance in real-time.
Here’s how to stay proactive instead of reactive:
By turning booking data into action, housing managers can guide smarter decisions and help safeguard against revenue loss or low pickup.
As event budgets tighten, every line item is being evaluated for ROI, and housing is no exception. But we know, housing is often a critical revenue generator for an event. Between hotel rebates, commissions, and booking fees, a well-managed housing strategy can meaningfully boost an event’s bottom line.
But the reverse is also true. If attendance drops and room nights lag, housing revenue takes a hit—and that impact is felt fast. Worse, if the event misses its contracted room minimums, housing managers may be left negotiating or absorbing costly attrition penalties.
Here’s how to elevate your value and protect your event:
By shifting the conversation from logistics to financial performance, housing managers can secure their seat at the strategy table and keep it.
We may not be able to predict the next round of tariffs or political shifts, but we can prepare. The events industry has proven its ability to adapt and housing managers play a vital role in that resilience.
As attendees seek meaningful connections and planners prioritize value, understanding how tariffs are impacting event housing is key to staying ahead. Your housing strategy can be the difference between stress and success.
Need a sounding board for your housing challenges? Let’s talk.