They still don't get it

It is ironic that a Republican administration in Washington DC continues to take so many steps which are damaging to business. The exhibitions and business events industry in the US has been seriously hurt by the challenges which visitors from Asia now face in obtaining a US visa. Why bother with a US show when you can easily get to Germany or one of the world's other major trade fair centres? Heck, you're almost made to feel welcome there.

The meetings industry has, according to the Meeting Industry Soapbox blog, started to push back. The specific gripe covered in this post relates to Mexico and Canada but it highlights an issue which is continued problem for visitors to the US from Asia. Even as Embassy officials on the ground attempt to streamline the cumbersome processes, the long-term damage to the US' reputation as a business-friendly destination for Asians will keep European and other Asian event organisers happy for a very long time.