We learned a lot about Force Majeure during the Pandemic. For a long time, it was assumed that the Force Majeure clause in a hotel contract meant your organization was protected, and you could cancel or postpone a meeting without liability, if something quite significant happened very close to the dates of the meeting.

Examples of something quite significant could be the tragedy that happened in the French Quarter of New Orleans on New Year’s Day, a top executive suddenly passed away, raging fires in Los Angeles, etc. Something quite significant would suggest it may not be a good idea to go forward with the planned meeting at this time. 

Yet, what’s important to know is that Force Majeure only applies if you and or your guests are unable to get to the destination, or stay at the hotel, over the dates of your event, not that you deem it inappropriate to carry forth with the event. And, therefore, your organization would be contractually obligated to pay cancellation liabilities, even though what happened could be deemed something quite significant. 

If a city is burning on fire, like Los Angeles, yet the major airport is open, and hotels are open, you are contractually obligated to show up. If your organization chooses to cancel or postpone the meeting, the organization is liable for cancellation fees. And, something quite significant that would cause one to cancel a meeting typically happens within a short window of arrival date, adding to the highest costs of cancellation. 

The most important thing to know in regard to Force Majeure, is it’s only valid if it’s impossible to get to the city or stay in the hotel and hold the event. So, if it’s possible to get to the destination and the hotel, you can’t get out of the liability of the contract.

Once in a blue moon a wonderful hotel is willing to work with you to lessen the financial burden of cancellation. Always beg your sales manager nicely for mercy! Mercy means asking to be let out of as much of the cancellation fee as possible, given the circumstances. And, ask the hotel to allow you to use the cancellation fees toward a rebooked meeting, at a future date. It never hurts to beg nicely, and it is always a good idea to be humble, yet don’t give up trying every tactic to reduce the cost of the cancellation. 

May you always have wonderful events, and never have to cancel an event at the last minute. Yet, if you must, you know what Force Majeure means.