INDIANAPOLIS
A new Indiana law signed into effect by Governor Mike Pence on Thursday, allowing businesses to potentially refuse service to gays and lesbians based on “religious freedom,” is immediately creating fallout when it comes to meetings and events.
Proponents of the bill, officially labeled the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, say that it protects religious individuals from partaking in activities that are contrary to their beliefs, such as baking a cake for a gay marriage ceremony. Opponents feel that the new law allows for legalized prejudice against gays and lesbians.
Perhaps the most significant fallout to date is the move announced by Salesforce.com immediately in the wake of the new law. The company has strong ties to the state—including the employment of a few thousand—and Salesforce’s CEO Mark Benioff has canceled all future events in the Hoosier State. This will include the move of Connections, a customer event hosted by Salesforce-owned ExactTarget in the state since 2007, to New York City.
Elsewhere, The Indianapolis Star has reported that Gen Con—a large gaming convention that drew 56,000 attendees in 2014—will plan to move the event when its current contract expires after 2020. And the Disciples of Christ has said it is looking at the option of moving its 2017 assembly, and its projected $6 million economic boost, outside the state.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), based in Indianapolis, has also expressed its concerns, through President Mark Emmert in a Thursday statement; the NCAA is hosting the upcoming Final Four Men’s basketball championship in Indy and is also headquartered in the city. Emmert stated worries over how the law could impact NCAA student-athletes as well as employees, and specifically remarked that he would "closely examine the implications of this bill and how it might affect future events as well as our workforce."
At Visit Indy, the city’s official CVB, VP of Marketing & Communications Chris Gahl told Meetings Focus that while his group is a nonpolitical organization that rarely takes a position on legislation, this was a different matter.
“We raised our hand with concern on this bill because it could cause a misperception of Indy not being welcoming—even though Indy’s brand perception is that of ‘Hoosier Hospitality,’” Gahl said. “We have reassured our customers, regardless of the bill, our 75,000 hospitality workers stand ready to continue to provide a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere.”
Meetings Focus will continue to monitor developments as the situation moves forward.
