The first U.S. edition of InCyber Forum—billed as the American debut of Europe’s largest annual cybersecurity conference—was supposed to land June 17–18 at San Antonio’s Henry B. González Convention Center. Weeks before go‑time, organizers hit pause, citing a “challenging and unpredictable” U.S. policy and economic climate. Local outlets confirmed the postponement; Axios had previously broken the news of the big‑tent U.S. launch.
San Antonio’s tourism bureau had championed the event, projecting thousands of visitors and a reputation boost for “Cyber City USA.” In the end, the calculus changed: too much policy risk, too little forecast certainty. Visit San Antonio publicly backed the decision while acknowledging grant‑funding concerns that could dent attendance.
What’s materially different after the postponement
1) The policy risk premium just got priced in
The San Antonio Report framed the organizer statement plainly: the U.S. policy/economic backdrop is volatile enough to blow up attendance models. Local TV coverage echoed that logic. For events courting public‑sector buyers—or international delegations navigating visas, travel approvals, and election‑year optics—policy risk isn’t external noise; it’s a budget line. Expect more organizers to build contingency turnout cases (and force‑majeure‑style clauses) into contracts.
2) The calendar is saturated—and unforgiving
RSA, Black Hat, and DEF CON already anchor the U.S. year. InCyber’s pitch was different—“everyone in one room,” heavy on policy, industry, and government. That’s a compelling thesis, but without guaranteed agency delegations (and the spend to match), cracking the U.S. slate is a knife fight. Axios’s original scoop captured the ambition; the postponement shows the bar for new flagships is higher than ever.
3) Supply meets narrative: 5,000‑attendee dreams vs. 2025 realities
The Express‑News reported the event was expected to draw 5,000+ participants and 150+ speakers—serious scale for a first U.S. run. But scale cuts both ways: a 20–30% attendance miss can sink sponsor ROI and torpedo P&L. In 2025, forecast risk is reputational risk; better to postpone than limp into a half‑empty hall.
Signals from organizers (and where they’re going next)
The brand isn’t retreating; it’s re‑sequencing. InCyber said Montreal (October) remains on, with a first‑ever Tokyo conference slated for December. San Antonio “remains an option for the future,” which—translated from events‑speak—means 2026 at best. That keeps the U.S. door ajar while preserving momentum in markets less exposed to the current U.S. policy whiplash.
Why it matters beyond one event
- Public‑sector exposure is existential: If your event model leans on federal, state, or municipal attendance, travel freezes, grant shifts, and visa friction can nuke your base overnight. San Antonio’s tourism officials explicitly flagged grant‑funding concerns as a near‑term drag. Build alternate funnels (virtual, regional roadshows) that don’t rely on a single policy outcome.
- Big‑tent positioning must be earned: “Policy‑meets‑industry‑meets‑research” is a great bumper sticker. But the U.S. cyber circuit rewards deep verticals (critical infrastructure, incident response, AI assurance) or credible convening power (agency heavyweights, procurement workshops). Without either, you’re competing with legends on their home turf.
- Sponsors will demand proof of life: After San Antonio’s false start, sponsors will ask for letter‑of‑intent headcounts, delegation MOUs, and penalty‑aware partner terms—in writing—before they cut checks for any new U.S. entry. (Local reporting shows how quickly expectations can shift when conditions change.)
The facts, straight
- What was planned: InCyber Forum USA, June 17–18, 2025, San Antonio; positioned as the first U.S. edition of Europe’s largest annual cyber conference.
- What happened: Postponed weeks out over U.S. policy/economic uncertainty; local outlets confirmed the pause. Headlines ranged from “postponed” to “canceled,” though organizers left the door open to a future San Antonio run.
- What’s next for the brand: Montreal (Oct.) and Tokyo (Dec.) editions proceed, with San Antonio “an option for the future.”
Field notes for operators and founders
If you timed a launch around InCyber USA, salvage the pipeline:
- Re‑anchor your announcements at Black Hat/DEF CON or a regional critical‑infrastructure forum where buyers gather with intent.
- Book virtual briefings with targeted agency and Fortune 500 accounts you expected to meet in San Antonio. Convert sunk travel budgets into ABM‑style demos and CISO roundtables.
- Tighten your event ROI math: When evaluating U.S. shows for the next 12 months, value delegation guarantees, government co‑sponsorship, and procurement‑adjacent programming over raw expo size.
- Scenario‑plan attendance: Model base/low cases with 20–30% swings tied to policy headlines (funding, elections, immigration). If your break‑even requires “everything goes right,” it’s not real.
This isn’t doom for new cyber convenings in the U.S.—it’s a reset. The San Antonio pause clarified the rule: in 2025, policy‑proofing is part of event design. The brands that lock delegations, hedge visas and travel, and offer contract‑ready programming will still win the year.
