HOPE Conference says US Immigration Crackdown Caused Massive Ticket Sales Crash
a year ago
- #Immigration
- #Cybersecurity
- #Hacking
- HOPE conference reports 50% drop in ticket sales compared to last year, attributed to Trump administration's immigration policies.
- Organizers fear fewer international attendees will negatively impact the conference's program and financial stability.
- The event may need to reduce its venue space to manage budget constraints.
- Some potential attendees express fear of harassment or detention when traveling to the U.S.
- HOPE, an annual event since switching from biennial, features infosec talks, lockpicking booths, and digital art displays.
- Speaker Thomas Kranz withdrew due to concerns over border issues and past FBI interactions.
- Kranz cited friends' experiences of being detained and having electronics confiscated at U.S. borders.
- HOPE has partnered with ACLU and EFF to provide travel advice for international attendees.
- Virtual tickets are available for those unable to attend in person due to travel concerns.