Latest news with #Trybe
Skift
20-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
In a World of Uncertainty, Contracts Are Event Planners' First Line of Defense
Event organizers can't control global crises, but they can control their contracts, which are now a critical first line of defense. Who's on the hook when a big event gets canceled: The planner or the venue? The question is coming up more and more as global instability reshapes the landscape for meetings and events. Trybe, a women-focused conference, canceled its inaugural May event in Las Vegas, citing pushback against diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Air Force canceled its 2025 Life Cycle Industry Days conference in March. The Georgia Public Health Association canceled its 2025 conference in February. These are just a few cancellations tied to the political shift. Industry leaders expect more. Airtight contracts have never been more important. In addition to a solid contract is a clearly stated 'purpose of the event,' said Heather Reid, independent event planner, event contract expert, and founder of Planner Protect Inc. This is a summary outlining objectives, audience, and programming. 'If the primary specified success factors have been prevented from being achieved for reasons beyond the control of the event organizer and/or the supplier partner, the organizer's legal counsel can reference the summary document to justify termination,' Reid said. 'It sets the foundation for contract clauses to apply if cancellation or disruption occurs.' Reid shared the following example: ABC 2026 is the association's flagship event. It includes a two-day educational conference, tradeshow, and off-site evening events. An annual event, it gathers association members who are healthcare professionals and their families, ABC staff and families, and sponsors and exhibitors. The conference is financially reliant on revenues generated from sponsorship, exhibitor fees, and attendee registration fees. It's not viable if any of these revenue sources are significantly compromised. Continuity, rescheduling, cancellations, and alternative arrangements must also be clearly defined in contracts. Build in Flexibility or Pay the Price Jonathan Howe, legal expert, president, and founding partner of Howe & Hutton, urges planners to prepare for disruptions. He recommends adding 'frustration of purpose' clauses. They excuse a party from contractual obligations when unforeseen events undermine the agreement's core purpose. 'The event must be outside the parties' control, not due to either party's fault, and not a risk that was assumed when the contract was made,' Howe said. He also advises including clauses to address price volatility. But getting those protections isn't easy. 'Hotels and suppliers typically expect groups to bear the risks alone,' said Joshua Grimes, attorney with Grimes Law Offices. 'They push back on 'frustration of purpose' clauses unless planners insist on them from the start — ideally by making them 'must-haves' in the RFP.' Ultimately, a well-crafted contract, backed by purpose-driven documentation, can be the difference between a manageable disruption and a costly legal or financial crisis.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Oakland nonprofits say city cuts could shut down programs
The Brief Oakland nonprofits said the city sent letters informing them that their grants were being terminated. The letters come as the city grapples with ways to balance its budget. Community leaders are worried it could have a devastating effect on the residents they serve. OAKLAND, Calif. - A senior center, violence prevention groups, and community trauma counseling programs all received letters from the city stating their grants were being terminated as Oakland struggles to balance its budget. A group of nonprofits held a protest Tuesday in Oakland's Fruitvale Village. They said they do not have extensive budgets and depend on city funds to pay for staff and programming. The Unity Council's Senior Wellness Program manager, Nalleli Albarron-Cruz, said their center serves about 300 seniors, but their $175,000 grant from Oakland is being terminated at the end of this month. "We operate based on the funding that the City of Oakland provides us, and it could mean that we close our doors," Albarron-Cruz said. Bruce Golsom of Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS) added, "We can't do nothing without money to help these people (who are) hurting." Other nonprofits, such as Trybe, work on the front lines addressing violence intervention with ambassadors and youth programs. Trybe's Andrew Park said the nonprofit is losing $210,000. "We don't have a badge. We don't have a gun. But we have our mouth, verbal judo, and we have relationships that we've built over years," Park said. The SOS Meals on Wheels program serves 1,400 homebound Oakland seniors. One of the delivery drivers, Cristian Ramirez, said he enjoys the work, which involves visiting elderly residents and dropping off meals along with a wellness check. "It's $150,000 a year that we haven't been paid on for the last 19 months. And then we got notice, along with all of our other community-based organizations, that our contracts are cut," said the organization's spokesperson, Kim Olson. "This is an example of the incompetency that we have within government here in Oakland," said Councilmember Noel Gallo. He said he is going to demand city staff explain why funds weren't paid and call for the council to make a priority list for funding local groups. "These are people who live here. When you look at other employees that we're trying to support, they don't even live in Oakland," said Gallo. "I will give up my salary, my salary that I get as an elected official, I'm going to give that up to make sure the senior center stays open." The Source Interviews
