Chris Griffin breaks down how the current government shutdown affects the trade show and exhibit industry beyond the obvious. While most exhibit houses report no direct business impact, the political instability creates ripple effects that smart business leaders can't ignore—from military event cancellations to broader concerns about economic uncertainty and business confidence.

What You'll Learn

• Why government shutdowns matter even when your business isn't directly affected
• How political instability impacts client spending decisions and business confidence
• The connection between government operations and critical trade show infrastructure
• Practical contingency planning strategies for uncertain political climates
• Why this pattern of governmental dysfunction poses long-term risks to business growth

Key Topics & Timestamp

• 00:24 - Understanding the Government Shutdown
• 00:43 - Impact on Small Businesses
• 01:37 - The Budget and Continuing Resolutions
• 02:58 - Political Stalemate and Its Consequences
• 05:31 - Broader Economic Concerns
• 15:52 - Practical Steps for Businesses
• 21:03 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Snippets from the Episode

• "Isn't that a good sentiment to greet every day with, Khalil? 'I've got a lot to learn today.'"— Chris Griffin
• "It's been 25 years since the United States has been able to present and agree on a balanced budget in Congress. So we've been in this slow death spiral of disagreeing and disagreeing more."— Chris Griffin
• "While there is no direct impact today on this current shutdown to businesses in our space, there is major concern by all business leaders that this inability to agree is just another nail in the proverbial coffin of our inability to trust our institutions."— Chris Griffin
• "I think we're all looking forward to and counting on a solid economy in 2026. But most of us always have some kind of defensive or contingency plan."— Chris Griffin

Key Takeaways

1. No Immediate Direct Impact on Most Exhibition Businesses
2. Military Events and Government Contracts Are Vulnerable
3. Travel Infrastructure Workers Face Payment Delays
4. Business Confidence Erodes with Repeated Government Dysfunction
5. International Trade Show Participation Could Decline
6. Contingency Planning Becomes More Critical
7. October 15th Military Pay Deadline Creates Resolution Pressure

Resources

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More from Khalil

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