This happened last time Trump was president too.
Except this time it’s way quicker, and probably way more urgent.
This time it’s not just because USA is unpopular, now there are also people who simply don’t want to take the risk of being sent to some prison they may never get out of.
It’s exactly the same as for tourism, which AFAIK has dropped almost 30%. If this translates to conferences, they can expect that 30% of foreigners invited that would normally show, will not want to go to USA.
I just went to a conference in Hawaii, which is usually a very popular, but half the poster boards were bare. I saw multiple recorded talks because the speakers were denied entry visas, including one of the opening keynote speakers.
I’d argue that the drop in conference and other professional visitors could be even steeper. There are still enough people who’ll privately take the risk or aren’t informed or think “I’ll be Ok if I comply with the laws”. Companies or universities however have HR departments and people in charge of travelling and compliance. They would risk a lot more money and possibly secrets if the devices are searched and employees are detained. I think they’ll be even more careful and restrict trips to the US. I could imagine a lot of conferences offering online participation and many opting for that rather than risking it.
And if enough international speakers can’t get in even more conferences will opt for moving the entire conference to a different country.
This happened last time Trump was president too.
Except this time it’s way quicker, and probably way more urgent.
This time it’s not just because USA is unpopular, now there are also people who simply don’t want to take the risk of being sent to some prison they may never get out of.
It’s exactly the same as for tourism, which AFAIK has dropped almost 30%. If this translates to conferences, they can expect that 30% of foreigners invited that would normally show, will not want to go to USA.
I just went to a conference in Hawaii, which is usually a very popular, but half the poster boards were bare. I saw multiple recorded talks because the speakers were denied entry visas, including one of the opening keynote speakers.
ISMRM? edit : read your username and immediately knew the answer haha
I’d argue that the drop in conference and other professional visitors could be even steeper. There are still enough people who’ll privately take the risk or aren’t informed or think “I’ll be Ok if I comply with the laws”. Companies or universities however have HR departments and people in charge of travelling and compliance. They would risk a lot more money and possibly secrets if the devices are searched and employees are detained. I think they’ll be even more careful and restrict trips to the US. I could imagine a lot of conferences offering online participation and many opting for that rather than risking it.
And if enough international speakers can’t get in even more conferences will opt for moving the entire conference to a different country.