---
title: "More on Meetings: Conference Spending Targeted"
id: "29528"
type: "post"
slug: "more-on-meetings-conference-spending-targeted"
published_at: "2015-08-03T06:20:31+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-16T14:24:46+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/08/03/more-on-meetings-conference-spending-targeted/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/08/03/more-on-meetings-conference-spending-targeted.md"
excerpt: "Legislation targets conference spending. Again."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Meetings / Events"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "AssociationsNow"
  - "Business"
  - "conferences"
  - "federal travel"
  - "Meetings"
taxonomy_content_format:
  - "Article"
taxonomy_persona:
  - "Executive Leadership"
---

[Home](https://associationsnow.com/)
 » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/)
 » More on Meetings: Conference Spending Targeted

Three years after the Obama administration adopted new rules for travel and conferences, associations are still working to explain the value of face-to-face meetings to policymakers concerned with rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending.

There has been some progress to report, such as new guidance from the Office of Management and Budget earlier this year that gives federal agencies more flexibility to send government employees to meetings and conferences. The [OMB memo (opens in a new tab)](http://www.doi.gov/pfm/upload/FMM-2015-010-Revised-Authorization-and-Reporting-Guidance-on-Conference-Related-Activities-and-Spending.pdf)
 also allows employees to seek preapproval of reoccurring conferences to prevent lengthy review processes that can discourage or prevent employees from applying for travel funds.

But, despite evidence that agencies are being held accountable for their conference spending, new legislation would further restrict federal employee attendance at mission-related meetings.

Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-TX) introduced his [GSA Act of 2015 (opens in a new tab)](https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2032/text)
 in April to cap government spending on travel and conferences and require detailed reporting of conference expenses for each federal agency. While it largely duplicates existing rules, Farenthold’s bill includes provisions that require agencies to provide a cost-benefit analysis of holding a conference versus a teleconference and a justification for holding a conference in a specific location. ASAE has been meeting with lawmakers to encourage them to analyze whether additional restrictions are needed.

The existing OMB rules have helped agencies reduce travel spending by $3 billion compared to FY 2010 levels but have also dramatically limited the ability of government employees to attend educational meetings and conferences. Many associations that hold these events have seen their government attendance figures plummet over the past several years, limiting the flow of information between federal agencies and the industries they regulate.

ASAE and others will need to continue to discuss the value of meetings with policymakers in the months to come.

(iStock/Thinkstock)

[Chris Vest, CAE](https://associationsnow.com/author/chris-vest-cae/)

Chris Vest, CAE, is director of public policy at ASAE.

[More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/chris-vest-cae/)

Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/)
 [#conferences](https://associationsnow.com/tag/conferences/)
 [#federal travel](https://associationsnow.com/tag/federal-travel/)
 [#Meetings](https://associationsnow.com/tag/meetings/)

**Stay Informed**

[Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/)
, *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day.

## You Might Like

- [VideoAshley Cobb Shares Her Experience at the 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 12, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/08/12/ashley-cobb-shares-her-experience-at-the-2025-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/)
- [VideoJenny Teeson, CHSE Shares Her Experience at the 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 12, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/08/12/jenny-teeson-chse-shares-her-experience-at-the-2025-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/)
- [VideoLakisha Woods, CAE Shares Her Experience at the 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 12, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/08/12/lakisha-woods-cae-shares-her-experience-at-the-2025-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/)
- [VideoKevin Hesser Shares His Experience at the 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 12, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/08/12/kevin-hesser-shares-his-experience-at-the-2025-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/)

## Comments

**Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/)

[Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2015%2F08%2F03%2Fmore-on-meetings-conference-spending-targeted%2F%23comments)
 to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/)
!