One potentially unexpected consequence of the ongoing shutdown is that scientists and tech leaders employed by the government are not able to attend conferences around the country, potentially preventing them from exchanging ideas and solutions with relevant partners. Nineteen days in, the shutdown has forced the FCC Chairman, FCC Commissioner, White House AI lead, and Acting DHS Science and Technology Undersecretary to cancel attendance at the high-profile Consumer Electronics Show. Among government scientists, 700 were forced to cancel attendance to the American Meteorological Society’s annual conference, 500 were unable to attendance the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics science and technology forum, and 300 missed the American Astronomical Society’s annual meeting. The DHS cybersecurity and innovation showcase, Federal Business Council, General Services Administration, and the Housing and Urban Development department were also forced to pull out from or postpone various collaborative conferences.
Source: Shutdown Forces Feds Off the Conference Circuit – Nextgov
