CEO DATELINE - Trump properties becoming meeting spots for associations
CEO DATELINE - Trump properties becoming meeting spots for associations
- February 22, 2017 |
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Walt Williams
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President Donald Trump's properties are becoming a popular destination for associations to hold meetings.
In recent weeks, the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada—an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce—relocated a planned meeting to a Trump hotel in Vancouver while the Consumer Technology Association held a meeting of tech executives at the president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla.
Trump doesn't own many properties with his name on them, but he could still financially benefit from their success. And in the case of Mar-a-Lago, he has visited the resort three times since becoming president, potentially giving members and visitors access to Trump they would otherwise be hard-pressed to get.
Still, access doesn't necessarily mean influence. Speaking to CNN Money, CTA CEO Gary Shapiro said he worried some of his members would be "uncomfortable" about the Mar-a-Lago visit because the tech industry has clashed with Trump over immigration restrictions.
"I didn't want to offend anyone," Shapiro said. http://cnnmon.ie/2l8maQ0
Trump has come under fire by government watchdog groups for refusing to divest his business interests, which critics say could be used by special interests to influence policy. However, most focus has been on any potential violations from the Constitution's emoluments clause, which prevents the president from accepting payments from foreign governments.
Another association also has taken an interest in Mar-a-Lago, although for a completely different reason. The heavy security surrounding the president's visits is reportedly resulting in heavy economic losses for the nearby Palm Beach County Airport. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is requesting a meeting with Federal Aviation Administration officials to discuss excluding the airport from a no-fly zone surrounding the resort. http://bit.ly/2lvxGWE
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