Latest news with #JessicaLevin
Skift
13-06-2025
- Business
- Skift
Canceled Events, Lost Jobs: How Trump-Era Policies Are Hitting the Meetings Industry
New government policies and cutbacks, along with rising costs, have forced planners to rethink logistics and cancel meetings. This may result in some going out of business. Skift Meetings' just-released survey on the impact of Trump administration policies on the meetings industry revealed that 9 out of 10 planners are concerned about rising costs due to tariffs and the loss of international attendees. Almost a third (29%) have already changed locations due to geopolitical conditions. Dr. Jessica Levin, COO and regional director, North America, of Abacus Worldwide, an international association of independent accounting, consulting and legal firms, is one of those people. Abacus just moved a global meeting that was planned for North America to Rome due to the current political climate, and concerns related to entry and visa access. 'Entry emerged as the most significant concern and the clearest deciding factor,' Levin said. The decision was made in February, soon after the Trump administration took office and before the RFP process. 'We're confident that we made the right decision, and we remain optimistic about bringing the meeting back to the U.S. in 2027,' she said. Lindsay Martin-Bilbrey, an event consultant with Nifty Method, reported that some of the attendance at a software user conference next week for which she is a contractor has moved to virtual. 'The international attendees, from Canada to Europe, are overwhelmingly choosing to attend virtually because of concern about safety, visa issues, and how their company's decision to attend might be perceived publicly,' she said. 'We've heard everything from worries about border policies and ICE enforcement to nervousness about flying into places like Newark.' The issue with going virtual is that it retains attendees, but it's being offered as complimentary or heavily discounted participation, cutting into much-needed revenue. 'It's a Catch-22,' she said. Cutbacks at government agencies are also having an impact. Moore Style Events CEO David Moore's core business focuses on biotech and pharmaceutical clients, who are struggling with longer delays from staff cuts at the FDA. 'We've recently encountered growing concerns from them regarding project timelines. Delays at the FDA have become a significant challenge — what previously took 30, 60, or 90 days is now extending up to six months. These disruptions are slowing progress, leading to event cancellations within the U.S. The impact extends to meetings outside the country too, he said: One European association client just held its meeting in Barcelona, even though they faced potential cancellation due to anticipated low attendance from U.S. participants. 'Our client opted to move forward anyway, as they were beyond the point of securing a refund.' Necoya Tyson, founder and CEO of Lightsey Event Solutions, lost a client whose event was canceled due to their title sponsor, a government entity, pulling out in response to the executive order on DEI. 'As an independent planner, I've lost two clients in just the past year,' she said. Other Independent planners and contractors echoed her concern. Contractor Kim King reported that her employer lost half of its contracts, and two-thirds of its contractor employees have been let go. 'All of my events and meetings were canceled in 2025 and I cannot plan for future events,' she said. 'I have contract funding for one more month before my position will be eliminated.' Costs on rooms, transportation, AV, and F&B are up; planners responding to the Skift Meetings survey reported increases of as much as 30% on F&B. Said one anonymous independent planner: 'I'm experiencing my worst year ever as a small business owner. Even during Covid, I was able to pivot to virtual. My clients are sitting on decisions, cutting budgets, cutting events, cutting sponsorships, and laying off teams. It's been devastating to my business.' The impact is being felt across the entire supply chain, from the associations and corporations hosting the meetings, to the independent planners they hire, all the way down to the suppliers they use, including DMCs. 'I have been doing gig work for a DMC whose primary customers are from Canada, and they have lost most, if not all of their business because of the current Canadian-U.S. relationship,' said contractor Diane Hermann. 'The bottom line is that I lost all that work too.'
Fox News
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Billy Joel jokes about aging, cremation after brain disorder diagnosis
Legendary singer Billy Joel is remaining in good spirits despite his serious health battle. While Joel, 76, was notably absent from the premiere of his new documentary, "And So It Goes," due to his brain disorder diagnosis, he made sure to send fans a message. "Billy wishes he were here tonight, and he asked us to convey his greetings to you all," director Susan Lacy, along with Jessica Levin shared with the crowd at the Tribeca Film Festival, according to Variety. "He said 'getting old sucks, but it's still preferable to getting cremated', Joel said in his message to fans. "He will be back," Lacy added. "Getting old sucks, but it's still preferable to getting cremated." As the "Piano Man" had been sidelined by his health, Joel made sure to send fans a message that was equal parts heartfelt and darkly humorous. It's the first public message from Joel since news broke of his brain disorder diagnosis. On May 23, Joel announced he was canceling all his shows since he'd been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), which affects his vision, hearing and balance. According to Yale Medicine, it is a rare condition. NPH is a condition that happens when cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull and presses on the brain. This condition is most likely to occur in people over 65. Treating this condition involves surgery to implant a shunt to drain excess fluid from the inside of the skull, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The singer-songwriter took to his social media to share a statement with his fans. "This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance," it read in part. "Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period. Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health." Joel concluded, "I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding." His wife, Alexis Roderick Joel, shared a statement with Fox News Digital. "Thank you for the outpouring of love and support. We are so grateful for the wonderful care and swift diagnosis we received. Bill is beloved by many, and to us, he is a father and husband who is at the center of our world. We are hopeful for his recovery. We look forward to seeing you all in the future," she said.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Joel not attending Tribeca Film Festival doc premiere after shocking health reveal
And so it goes, indeed. Billy Joel will not be attending the Tribeca Festival opening night world premiere of his documentary 'Billy Joel: And So It Goes' next Wednesday, The Post can exclusively reveal. The Piano Man will be sitting out on his big night after revealing that he was diagnosed with a brain disorder called normal pressure hydrocephalus. 'Our hearts are with Billy Joel and his family following today's announcement,' Tribeca Festival co-founders Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro said in a statement. 'As a New York icon and global music legend, he has profoundly shaped the cultural fabric of this city and touched audiences around the world. We send our love and full support and wish him strength and a healthy recovery. 'We're deeply honored that this year's Opening Night celebrates his remarkable legacy and enduring influence on New York's cultural landscape,' the statement continued. 'This is the perfect moment to recognize a creative force whose work reflects the very soul of our city — and the heart of Tribeca.' Directed by Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin, 'And So It Goes' features rare, previously unseen footage and candid, intimate interviews while charting the five-time Grammy winner's rise from Long Island to international pop stardom. The documentary will be coming to HBO and HBO Max later this summer. Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a brain disorder where cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull and presses on the brain, disrupting cognitive functioning. Due to his condition, the 76-year-old music legend also canceled all of his upcoming tour dates, which were to include a 'Triple Play' summer series of concerts at all three New York area stadiums: Yankee Stadium (July 18, with Rod Stewart), MetLife Stadium (Aug. 8, with Stevie Nicks) and CitiField (Aug. 21, with Sting). A statement posted on Joel's Instagram last week explained that his condition worsened due to recent concerts, causing 'problems with hearing, vision and balance.' The singer took a nasty fall during his concert at Mohegan Sun in Montville, Connecticut, in February. 'Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during his recovery period,' the statement read. 'Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health. He is grateful for the support from fans during this time and looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage.' Joel added in his own statement: 'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding.' But the good news is that, despite his diagnosis, Joel apparently isn't ready to retire 10 months after moving out of Madison Square Garden, where his historic monthly residency ended last July after 10 years, 104 sold-out shows and 1.9 million tickets scanned. 'He is happiest while performing,' a music industry insider told People Tuesday. 'Music is, has been and will always be his life. He's not ready to retire.' On Monday, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer's wife, Alexis Roderick Joel addressed fans on her husband's Instagram. 'Thank you for the outpouring of love and support,' wrote Joel's wife of 10 years, with whom he has daughters Della, 9, and Remy, 7. 'We are so grateful for the wonderful care and swift diagnosis we received.' Joel's ex-wife and 'Uptown Girl' muse, Christie Brinkley, and their daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, have also been showing big love to the 'Big Shot.' 'Dear Billy, The whole Brinkley gang is sending you lots of love and good wishes for a full and speedy recovery,' Brinkley, 71, wrote on Instagram Saturday. 'I was looking for some cute photos of you and Alexa to send you, when I came across this clip from a recent concert. It made me laugh … but it also reminded me of all the joy you create, and all the sensational singalongs you've led.' Alexa, 39, for her part, shared: 'We love you and we got you, Pop! I just wanted to thank you all for the beautiful outpouring of love and support amid the recent news of My Father's health diagnosis. My Dad is the strongest and most resilient man I've ever known … and he's entirely committed to making a full recovery with ongoing physical-therapy treatments as he continues to regain his strength.'
