10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

or

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

Commission file number: 001-11015

Viad Corp

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	36-1169950
State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1850 North Central Avenue, Suite 1900 Phoenix, Arizona	85004-4565
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(602) 207-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1.50 par value	New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined by Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.)    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405)  is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):

Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
		Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicated by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐    

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock (based on its closing price per share on such date) held by non-affiliates on the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (June 30, 2017) was approximately $948 million.

Registrant had 20,422,762 shares of Common Stock ($1.50 par value) outstanding as of January 31, 2018.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

A portion of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Viad Corp, which is scheduled to be held on May 17, 2018, is incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report.

INDEX

		Page
Part I
Item 1.	Business	1
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	15
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	18
Item 2.	Properties	19
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	19
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	20
Other.	Executive Officers of the Registrant	20
Part II
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	21
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	23
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	24
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	41
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	42
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	85
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	85
Item 9B.	Other Information	88
Part III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	89
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	89
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	89
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	89
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services	89
Part IV
Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule	89
Item 16.	Form 10-K Summary	94

In this report, for periods presented, “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company,” and “Viad Corp” refer to Viad Corp and its subsidiaries and affiliates.

PART I

Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-K contains a number of forward-looking statements. Words, and variations of words, such as “will,” “may,” “expect,” “would,” “could,” “might,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “deliver,” “seek,” “aim,” “potential,” “target,” “outlook,” and similar expressions are intended to identify our forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but reflect our current estimates, projections, expectations, or trends concerning future growth, operating cash flows, availability of short-term borrowings, consumer demand, new or renewal business, investment policies, productivity improvements, ongoing cost reduction efforts, efficiency, competitiveness, strategic actions, acquisitions, the timing of new and damaged attractions openings, the sufficiency of our legal services, projections of 2018 revenue, show rotation, same-show rotation, segment operating income, attraction start-up costs, the realization of deferred tax assets, contributions to pension and postretirement benefit plans, legal expenses, tax rates and other tax matters, and foreign exchange rates. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Viad’s businesses can be affected by a host of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risks discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (“2017 Form 10-K”). We disclaim and do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this 2017 Form 10-K except as required by applicable law or regulation.

Item 1. Business

We are an international experiential services company with operations principally in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, continental Europe, and the United Arab Emirates. We are committed to providing unforgettable experiences to our clients and guests.

We operate through two main business groups:

• GES is a world-class live event service provider to some of the most visible and influential events and global brands.

• Pursuit is a collection of iconic natural and cultural destination travel experiences that enjoy perennial demand.

GES accounted for 87% of our 2017 consolidated revenue and 51% of our 2017 consolidated segment operating income⁽¹⁾. Pursuit accounted for 13% of our 2017 consolidated revenue and 49% of our 2017 consolidated segment operating income⁽¹⁾.

⁽¹⁾ We define segment operating income as net income attributable to Viad before income (loss) from discontinued operations, corporate activities and eliminations, interest expense and interest income, income taxes, restructuring charges, impairment charges and recoveries, the reduction for income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interest, and the addition for loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest. Refer to Note 22 – Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for a reconciliation of segment operating income to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

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GES is a global, full-service provider for live events that produces exhibitions, conferences, corporate events, and consumer events. GES offers a comprehensive range of live event services, from the design and production of compelling, immersive experiences that engage audiences and build brand awareness, to material handling, rigging, electrical, and other on-site event services. In addition, GES offers clients a full suite of audio-visual services from creative and technology to content and design, along with online tools powered by next generation technologies that help clients easily manage the complexities of their events. For nine years, GES’ National Servicenter® has been certified under the J.D. Power and Associates Certified Call Center Program^SM, and for eight consecutive years, Ad Age has recognized GES as one of the nation’s largest experiential/event marketing agency networks. GES is included in Event Marketer magazine’s IT List as one of the top 100 event agencies in the industry.

GES’ clients include event organizers and corporate brand marketers. Event organizers schedule and run the event from start to finish. Corporate brand marketers include exhibitors and domestic and international corporations that want to promote their brands, services and innovations, feature new products, and build business relationships. GES serves corporate brand marketers when they exhibit at shows and when GES is engaged to manage their global exhibit program or produce their proprietary corporate events.

GES operates through two reportable business segments based on geography:

• GES U.S. has a leading position in the U.S. with full-service operations in every major exhibition market, including Las Vegas, Nevada; Chicago, Illinois; Orlando, Florida; New York, New York; and Los Angeles, California.

• GES International has operating facilities at many of the most active and popular international event destinations and venues, including seven cities in Canada, seven cities in the United Kingdom, two cities in Germany, two cities in the United Arab Emirates, two cities in the Netherlands, one city in Hong Kong, Switzerland, and Romania, and through these facilities offers full-service event operations across the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Middle East.

Markets Served

GES provides a full suite of services for event organizers and corporate brand marketers across four live event markets: Exhibitions, Conferences, Corporate Events, and Consumer Events (collectively, “Live Events”).

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LIVE EVENT	PRIMARY PURPOSE	% GES 2017 REVENUE
Exhibitions	Facilitates business-to-business and business-to-consumer sales and marketing.		64%
Conferences	Facilitates attendee education. May also include an expo or trade show to further facilitate attendee education and to facilitate business-to-business and business-to-consumer sales and marketing.		23%
Corporate Events	Facilitates attendee education of sponsoring company’s products or product ecosystem.		11%
Consumer Events	Entertains, educates, or creates an experience, typically around a specific genre.		2%

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Services Offered

GES offers a comprehensive range of services and innovative technology, including Core Services, Event Technology, and Audio-Visual, to event organizers and corporate brand marketers.

Core Services For Live Events, GES provides official contracting services and products to event organizers and corporate brand marketers. Contracting services and products are provided primarily to Exhibitions and to a lesser degree to Conferences, Corporate Events, and Consumer Events. GES U.S. Core Services accounted for 57% of Viad’s 2017 consolidated revenue and 61% of Viad’s 2016 and 2015 consolidated revenue. GES International Core Services accounted for 19% of Viad’s 2017 and 2016 consolidated revenue and 23% of Viad’s 2015 consolidated revenue.

In general, GES provides the following exclusive and discretionary services and products to Live Event organizers and corporate brand marketers:

Exclusive Services		Discretionary Services
Event Organizers	Corporate Brand   Marketers	Corporate Brand Marketers
Event planning and production	Material handling	Creative design and strategy
Look and feel design	Electrical distribution	Integrated marketing and pre/post event communications
Layout and floor plan designs	Cleaning	Event surveys
Furnishings and carpet	Plumbing	Return on investment analysis
Show traffic analysis	Overhead rigging	Online management tools
Marketing and strategy	Booth rigging	Attendee/exhibit booth traffic analysis
Electrical distribution		Staff training
Cleaning		Logistics/transportation
Plumbing		Exhibits storage/refurbishment
Overhead rigging		Furnishings and carpet
Booth rigging		Installation and dismantling labor
		Tradeshow program management
Exclusive Products		Discretionary Products
Event Organizers		Corporate Brand Marketers
Signage		Custom exhibit design/construction
Common area structures		Portable/modular exhibits and design
		Graphics and signage

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Under various agreements with Live Events organizers, GES is the official services contractor with the exclusive right to provide certain services to exhibitors participating in a Live Event. This gives exhibitors a single point of contact to facilitate a timely, safe, and efficient move-in/out of a Live Event and to facilitate an organized, professional, during-show experience. GES also competes with other service providers to sell discretionary services to exhibitors. Discretionary services include complete event program management, such as creative design, strategy, and planning to corporate brand marketers across all Live Events in which they participate.

Event Technology GES offers a comprehensive range of event technology services, including event accommodation solutions, registration and data analytics, and event management tools. Event accommodation solutions. GES U.S. offers end-to-end event accommodation services in North America. Event accommodations provide the unique potential to serve multiple Live Event participants through a single integrated service network. Event accommodations services include: •Researching and selection of local hotels •Negotiating and contracting •Room block management •Group reservation management •Rate integrity and monitoring •Marketing services •On-site services •Post-event reporting Registration and data analytics. GES provides event registration and data analytic services including: •Registration and ticketing •Lead management •Reporting and analytics •Web-based enterprise-wide application •Software-as-a-service model or fully managed options •Attendee engagement •Digital collections Event management tools. GES provides event management services including: •Online ordering capabilities •Sponsorship management tools •Content management systems •Live Event tracking GES U.S. provides all three of the above event technology services which accounted for 2% of Viad’s 2017 consolidated revenue and 3% of Viad’s 2016 and 2015 consolidated revenue. GES International provides registration and data analytics and event management tools, which accounted for 1% of Viad’s 2017, 2016, and 2015 consolidated revenue.

Audio-Visual GES offers a variety of high-impact multi-media services and technology across all Live Events. GES combines the science of innovative digital solutions with the latest audio-visual technology and superior service to create award-winning attendee engagements. GES expanded its audio-visual services through the 2016 acquisition of ON Event Services, LLC (“ON Services”), which enhances GES’ ability to gain market share in the Corporate Event markets in North America and enables GES to cross-sell its services and technology offerings. Audio-visual services include: •Video and lighting production •Digital studio services •Entertainment services and talent coordination •Projection mapping •Computer rental and support GES U.S. audio-visual services accounted for 6% of Viad’s 2017 consolidated revenue, 3% of Viad’s 2016 consolidated revenue, and 1% of Viad’s 2015 consolidated revenue. GES International audio-visual services accounted for 2% of Viad’s 2017, 2016, and 2015 consolidated revenue.

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Seasonality and Show Rotation

GES’ exhibition and event activity can vary significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year depending on the frequency and timing of shows: some shows are not held annually, and some shift between quarters. During 2017, GES U.S. reported its highest revenue during the first and second quarters. During 2016, GES U.S. reported its highest revenue during the second and third quarters. GES International generally reports its highest revenue during the second and fourth quarters. The following show rotation revenue metric refers to the net change in revenue from 2016 to 2017 due to show movement between quarters and years. Show rotation refers to shows that occur less frequently than annually, as well as annual shows that shift quarters from one year to the next.

Competition

In the Live Events industry, GES generally competes across all classes of services and all markets on the basis of discernible differences, value, quality, price, convenience, and service. GES has a competitive advantage through its worldwide network of resources, history of serving as an extension of clients’ teams, experienced and knowledgeable personnel, client-focus, creativity, reliable execution, proprietary technology platforms, and financial strength. All known U.S. competitors and most international competitors are privately held companies that provide limited public information regarding their operations. GES’ primary competitor within its Core Services is The Freeman Company (a privately-held, U.S.-headquartered company); however, there is substantial competition from a large number of service providers in GES’ other service offerings.

Growth Strategy

GES is committed to become the preferred global, full-service provider for Live Events. GES holds a leading market position in Exhibitions and is pursuing a focused and disciplined growth strategy with the goal of expanding its market share in the currently under-penetrated Conferences, Corporate Events, and Consumer Events markets. GES has uniquely combined the art of high-impact creativity, service, and expertise with the science of easy-to-use technology, strategy, and worldwide logistics to help clients gain a greater return from their events and enhance the exhibitor experience.

• Global Reach. Leverage global capabilities and large customer base to drive continued growth in new services and other Live Events.

• Full-Service Provider. Growth of adjacent services to create a unique and integrated offering to deepen client relationships, expand client base, and increase share of total event spend.

• Live Events. Penetration into other live events to extend industry leadership and leverage capabilities.

With our recent acquisitions, GES made significant progress toward creating the most comprehensive suite of services for the Live Events industry, which enhanced overall competitiveness, facilitated growth in under-penetrated areas, and formed a basis for a data platform. We continue to pursue opportunities to acquire businesses with proven products and services that complement, enhance, or expand current businesses or offer growth opportunities.

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Recent Developments of GES

• Poken Acquisition. In March 2017, we completed the acquisition of the Poken event engagement technology,a leading cloud-based visitor engagement and measurement platform. The Poken platform offers a seamless ecosystem of tools that enable digital document collection (through its patented “Touch and Glow” technology), visitor-to-visitor engagement, gamification, and metrics reporting.

• Cross-selling opportunities. GES is effectively positioned to cross-sell an increasingly comprehensive suite of service offerings with a convenient approach to service delivery that differentiates GES from its competition.

• Registration and data analytic services entrance in the Asia markets. In early 2017, GES officially launched registration and data analytic services in the Asia market with a Hong Kong office.

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Pursuit is a collection of iconic natural and cultural destination travel experiences in North America that showcase the best of Banff, Jasper, Waterton Lakes, Glacier, Denali, and Kenai Fjords National Parks, and Vancouver, Canada. Through Pursuit’s collection of unique hotels and lodges, world-class recreational attractions, and ground transportation services, it connects guests to iconic places through unforgettable, inspiring experiences. Pursuit draws its guests from major markets, including Canada, the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Australia/New Zealand, Asia Pacific, and Europe. Pursuit markets directly to consumers, as well as through distribution channels that include tour operators, tour wholesalers, destination management companies, and retail travel agencies and organizations. Pursuit comprises the following collections:

Banff Jasper Collection	Brewster Travel Canada, which is marketed as the Banff Jasper Collection, is a leading travel and tourism provider in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada with two lodging properties in Banff National Park, one lodging property in Jasper National Park, five world-class recreational attractions, food and beverage services, retail operations, sightseeing and transportation services.
Alaska Collection	The Alaska Collection is a leading travel and tourism provider in Alaska with two lodging properties and a sightseeing excursion in Denali National Park and Preserve, a lodge in Talkeetna, Alaska’s top-rated wildlife and glacier cruise, and two lodging properties located near Kenai Fjords National Park. The Alaska Collection also provides food and beverage services and retail operations.
Glacier Park Collection	Glacier Park, Inc., which is marketed as the Glacier Park Collection, is an operator of seven lodging properties, 12 retail shops, and 11 dining outlets in and around Glacier National Park in Montana, one of the most visited national parks in the United States, and Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada, with a leading share of rooms in that market. Glacier Park, Inc. is an 80% owned subsidiary of ours.
FlyOver	FlyOver Canada, located in Vancouver, British Columbia, is a recreational attraction that provides a virtual flight ride experience that combines motion seating, spectacular media, and visual effects including wind, scents, and mist to give the unforgettable experience of flying across Canada. FlyOver Iceland is a recreational attraction currently being built in Reykjavik, Iceland that will provide a virtual flight ride experience over some of Iceland’s most spectacular scenery and natural wonders with the same effects as FlyOver Canada. The new attraction is expected to open in 2019.

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Pursuit comprises four lines of business: Hospitality, including food and beverage services and retail operations; Attractions, including food and beverage services and retail operations; Transportation; and Travel Planning. These four lines of business work together, driving economies of scope and meaningful scale in and around the iconic destinations of Banff, Jasper, and Waterton Lakes National Parks and Vancouver in Canada, and Glacier, Denali, and Kenai Fjords National Parks in the United States.

	Hospitality (# of rooms)	Attractions	Transportation (2)	Travel Planning (2)
Banff Jasper Collection	Elk + Avenue Hotel (164) Glacier View Inn (32) Mount Royal Hotel (133) (1)	Banff Gondola Banff Lake Cruise Columbia Icefield   Glacier Adventure Glacier Skywalk Maligne Lake Tours	Airporter Services Charter Motorcoach    Services Sightseeing Tours	Corporate Event    Management Services Explore Rockies Activity Booking Centers
Alaska Collection	Denali Backcountry Lodge (42) Denali Cabins (46) Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge (8) Seward Windsong Lodge (180) Talkeetna Alaska Lodge (212)	Kenai Fjords Tours	Denali Backcountry Adventure	Travel Planning Services
Glacier Park Collection	Apgar Village Lodge (48) Glacier Park Lodge (162) Grouse Mountain Lodge (145) Motel Lake McDonald (27) Prince of Wales Hotel (86) St. Mary Lodge  (127)(3) West Glacier Motel & Cabins (32)
FlyOver		FlyOver Canada –   Vancouver FlyOver Iceland –   Reykjavik(4)

⁽¹⁾ The Mount Royal Hotel was damaged by a fire on December 29, 2016, and was closed for reconstruction during 2017. We anticipate re-opening the hotel in mid-year 2018. The number of rooms available at the hotel will decrease from 135 to 133 after the renovation is complete.

⁽²⁾ During 2017, we completed the previously announced downsizing of the Banff Jasper Collection’s third party tour and travel products and exited summer season charter transportation services.

⁽³⁾ During 2017, the Glacier Park Collection added ten tiny homes to the St. Mary Lodge property bringing the total number of rooms from 117 to 127. See “Recent Pursuit Developments” for further discussion.

⁽⁴⁾ In November 2017, we announced the expansion of our virtual flight ride concept into Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavik. We expect the new attraction to be open in 2019.

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Hospitality Pursuit provides lodging accommodations, food and beverage services, and retail operations through its collection of unique hotels and lodges varying from hikers’ cabins to grand and historic lodges. •Mount Royal Hotel and Elk + Avenue Hotel are located in the heart of Banff National Park in downtown Banff, Alberta, Canada.   •Glacier View Inn is located on the Columbia Icefield between Lake Louise and Jasper in Jasper National Park.   •Denali Backcountry Lodge is located in the heart of the Denali National Park.   •Denali Cabins are located near the entrance to the Denali National Park.   •Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge is located on a private island in Resurrection Bay adjacent to the Kenai Fjords National Park.   •Seward Windsong Lodge is located near Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward, Alaska.   •Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge is located in Talkeetna, Alaska on the south side of Denali National Park.   •Apgar Village Lodge and Motel Lake McDonald are located inside Glacier National Park.   •Glacier Park Lodge is located in East Glacier, Montana.   •Grouse Mountain Lodge is located near Glacier National Park in Whitefish, Montana.   •Prince of Wales Hotel is located in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada.   •St. Mary Lodge is located outside the east entrance of Glacier National Park in St. Mary, Montana.   •West Glacier Motel & Cabins is located outside the west entrance of Glacier National Park.

Attractions	Pursuit owns and operates the following attractions in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Vancouver, and in Alaska:
Banff Gondola transports visitors to an elevation of over 7,000 feet above sea level to the top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff, Alberta, Canada offering an unobstructed view of the Canadian Rockies and overlooking the town of Banff and the Bow Valley. The Banff Gondola has been honored with two Top Project Awards from Alberta Construction Magazine. The Banff Gondola’s winning categories include the People’s Choice Award in 2016 and the Commercial Award (Under $50 Million) in 2016. The Banff Gondola is currently rated by Trip Advisor as the #1 “Things to do in Banff” and received the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.
Banff Lake Cruise provides guests a unique sightseeing experience through interpretive boat cruises on Lake Minnewanka in the Canadian Rockies. The Banff Lake Cruise operations are located adjacent to the town of Banff and include boat tours, small boat rentals, and charter fishing expeditions.

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Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure is a tour of the Athabasca Glacier on the Columbia Icefield, and provides guests the experience to view one of the largest accumulations of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle. Guests ride in a giant “Ice Explorer,” a unique vehicle specially designed for glacier travel. The Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure received the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.
Glacier Skywalk is a 1,312-foot guided interpretive walkway with a 98-foot glass-floored observation area overlooking the Sunwapta Valley, in close proximity to our Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure attraction in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. Since opening in 2014, the Glacier Skywalk has had robust visitor traffic. It continues to win awards and receive international recognition for its innovative design and environmentally sound architecture, including the prestigious Governor General’s Medals in Architecture in 2016.
FlyOver Canada provides a virtual flight ride experience that showcases some of Canada’s most awe-inspiring scenery from coast to coast. The state-of-the-art, multi-sensory experience combines motion seating, spectacular media, and special effects, including wind, scents, and mist, to provide a true flying experience for guests. FlyOver Canada is ideally located in downtown Vancouver. FlyOver Canada is rated by Trip Advisor as the #1 “Fun & Games in Vancouver” and received the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.
FlyOver Iceland is a recreational attraction currently being built in Reykjavik, Iceland. Guests will experience an exhilarating virtual flight ride over some of Iceland’s most spectacular scenery and natural wonders with the same effects as FlyOver Canada. We expect the new attraction to open in 2019.
Kenai Fjords Tours is a leading Alaska wildlife and glacier day cruise, offering guests unforgettable sights of towering glaciers, humpback and grey whales, orcas, arctic birdlife, sea lions, seals, and porpoises of Kenai Fjords National Park. Tours range from a few hours to full days, with some tours including a full meal of wild Alaska salmon, prime rib, and Alaskan King Crab on Fox Island. Kenai Fjords Tours has received the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.

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Maligne Lake Tours provides interpretive boat tours and related services at Maligne Lake, the largest lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. Maligne Lake Tours has seven tour boats, a marina and day lodge that offers food and beverage and retail services, an historic chalet complex and boat house that offers canoes, kayaks, and rowboats for rental. Maligne Lake Tours received the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.

Transportation   The Banff Jasper Collection’s transportation operations include sightseeing tours, airport shuttle services, and seasonal charter motorcoach services. The sightseeing services include seasonal half- and full-day tours from Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper, Canada and bring guests to the very best parts of Banff and Jasper National Parks. The charter business operates a fleet of luxury motorcoaches, available for groups of any size, for travel throughout the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia during the winter months. The Alaska Collection offers a unique sightseeing tour 92 miles deep into Denali National Park.  

  Travel Planning     The Banff Jasper Collection offers a full suite of corporate and event management services for meetings, conferences, incentive travel, sports, and special events. Event-related service offerings include staffing, off-site events, tours/activities, team building, accommodations, event management, theme development, production, and audio-visual services. The Banff Jasper Collection also owns and operates eight Explore Rockies activity booking centers throughout Banff and Jasper National Parks and Calgary, Alberta. In 2017, the Banff Jasper Collection completed phasing out the previously announced third party package tour and travel products to align with its goal of delivering premium experiences and improving its overall profit margin. The Alaska Collection provides complete travel planning services throughout Alaska.

Seasonality

Pursuit experiences peak activity during the summer months. During 2017, 87% of Pursuit’s revenue was earned in the second and third quarters.

Competition

Pursuit generally competes on the basis of location, uniqueness of facilities, service, quality, and price. Competition exists both locally and regionally across all four lines of business. The hospitality business has a large number of competitors and competes for leisure travelers (both individual and tour groups) across the United States and Canada. Pursuit’s competitive advantage is its distinctive attractions and iconic destinations.

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Growth Strategy

Pursuit remains focused on delivering inspiring and unforgettable experiences in iconic locations while growing and enhancing its unique portfolio of integrated tourism assets through its Refresh-Build-Buy growth initiatives.

• Refresh. Refresh assets and processes to optimize market position and maximize returns.

• Build. Build new assets that create new revenue streams with economies of scale and scope.

• Buy. Buy strategic assets that drive economies of scale and scope with strong returns.

We continue to search for opportunities to acquire or to build high return tourism assets in iconic natural and cultural destinations that enjoy perennial demand, bring meaningful scale and market share, and offer cross-selling advantages with a combination of attractions and hotels.

Recent Pursuit Developments

• Mount Royal Hotel. On December 29, 2016, the Mount Royal Hotel was damaged by fire and closed. In July 2017, we resolved our property and business interruption insurance claims related to the fire for $36.3 million. We allocated $2.2 million to an insurance receivable, $29.3 million was recorded as an impairment recovery (partially offset by impairment charges of $0.2 million) related to construction costs to re-open the hotel, $2.5 million was recorded as a business interruption gain for the recovery of lost profits, $1.3 million was recorded as contra-expense to offset non-capitalizable costs incurred, and the remaining $1.0 million was recorded as deferred revenue that will be recognized over the periods the business interruption losses are actually incurred. Restorations and improvements will provide an elevated guest experience to room finishes and furnishings, lobby and lounge areas, exterior appearance, heating/cooling, sound insulation, and building systems. We anticipate re-opening the hotel in mid-year 2018.

• Expansion of FlyOver Concept. On November 3, 2017, we acquired the controlling interest (54.5% of the common stock) in Esja Attractions ehf. (“Esja”). Esja, a private Iceland corporation is developing and will operate Pursuit’s new FlyOver Iceland attraction. This attraction expands our virtual flight ride theater concept into Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavik. Modeled after our highly successful FlyOver Canada attraction, FlyOver Iceland will provide guests an exhilarating virtual flight experience over some of Iceland’s most spectacular scenery and natural wonders. The new attraction is expected to open in 2019.

• Tiny Home Village. On July 15, 2017, we added ten tiny homes to the St. Mary Lodge property as part of the Glacier Park Collection. The tiny home’s design embraces a number of eco-forward elements, such as a fresh water/gray water system and pint-sized, energy-efficient appliances. Elements of luxury are woven into the design. Homes can accommodate up to four guests, with a sliding barn-style door separating a compact sleeping area from the cozy living area. 

• RV and Cabin Park Development. In 2017, we began developing approximately 100 acres of undeveloped land adjacent to Glacier National Park that we acquired in connection with our 2014 purchase of the West Glacier properties. The new development will include a new RV and cabin park with 102 RV slips, 20 guest cabins, five employee housing cabins, guest registration, and a laundromat. Our site is ideally located at the Glacier Park entrance. We expect half of the new RV and Cabin Park to open during the 2019 season with the remainder opening for the 2020 season.

Financial information for our reportable segments and geographic areas is included in Note 22 – Segment Information of the Notes to Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K).

Intellectual Property

Our intellectual property rights (including trademarks, patents, copyrights, registered designs, technology, and know-how) are material to our business.

We own or have the right to use numerous trademarks and patents in many countries. Depending on the country, trademarks remain valid for as long as we use them, or as long as we maintain their registration status. Trademark registrations are generally for renewable, fixed terms. We also have patents for current and potential products. Our patents cover inventions ranging from a modular structure having a load-bearing surface we use in our event and exhibition services, to a surface-covering installation tool and method that reduces our labor costs and improves worker safety. Our U.S. issued utility patents extend for 20 years from the patent application filing date; and our U.S. issued design patents are currently granted for 14 years from the grant date. We also have an extensive design library. Many of the designs have copyright protection and we

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have also registered many of the copyrights. In the U.S., copyright protection is for 95 years from the date of publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter.  While we believe that certain of our patents, trademarks, and copyrights have substantial value, the loss of any one of them would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Our Trademarks

Our U.S. registered trademarks and trademarks pending registration, include Global Experience Specialists & design®, GES®, GES Servicenter®, GES National Servicenter®, GES MarketWorks®, The Art and Science of Engagement®, Trade Show Rigging TSR®, TSE Trade Show Electrical & design®, Earth Explorers®, Compass Direct®, ethnoMetrics®, eXPRESSO®, FIT®, ON Services, ON Site Audio Visual & design, FLYOVER®, eco-sense®, ONPEAK®, Above Banff®, Alaska Denali Travel®, Alaska Denali Escapes®, Alaska Heritage Tours®, Kenai Fjords Tours & design®, Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge®, Seward Windsong Lodge & design®, Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge®, Explore Rockies®, Denali Backcountry Adventure®, Denali Backcountry Lodge®, and Denali Cabins®. We also own or have the right to use many registered trademarks and trademarks pending registration outside of the United States, including GES®, ShowTech®, Poken®, Visit, Blitz, Brewster Inc. & design®, Brewster Attractions Explore & design®, Brewster Hospitality Refresh & design®, Glacier Skywalk®, Above Banff®, Explore Rockies®, FLYOVER®, Soaring Over Canada®, Elk + Avenue Hotel®, Brewster Epic Summer Pass®, and escape.connect.refresh.explore®.

Government Regulation and Compliance

Compliance with legal requirements and government regulations represents a normal cost of doing business. The principal rules and regulations affecting our day-to-day business relate to transportation (such as regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Transportation and its state counterparts), employees (such as regulations implemented by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, equal employment opportunity laws, guidelines implemented pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, and general federal and state employment laws), unionized labor (such as guidelines imposed by the National Labor Relations Act), and U.S. and Canadian regulations relating to national parks (such as regulations established by Parks Canada, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the U.S. National Park Service).

Some of our current and former businesses are subject to U.S. federal and state environmental regulations, including laws enacted under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or our state law counterparts. Compliance with federal, state and local environmental, health and safety provisions, including, but not limited to, those regulating the discharge of materials into the environment and other actions relating to the environment, have not had, and are not expected to have, a material effect on our capital expenditures, competitive position, financial condition or results of operations.

Employees

We had the following number of employees as of December 31, 2017:

	Number of Employees		RegularFull-Time Employees Covered by Collective Bargaining Agreements
GES		3,092		1,142
Pursuit		365		41
Viad Corporate		64		—
Total		3,521		1,183

We believe that relations with our employees are good and that collective-bargaining agreements expiring in 2018 will be renegotiated in the ordinary course of business without a material adverse effect on our operations.

We are governed by a Board of Directors comprised of seven non-employee directors and one employee director, and we have an executive management team consisting of four executive officers.

Financial Information about Segments and Geographic Areas

Refer to Note 22 – Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for segment financial information.

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Available Information

We were incorporated in Delaware in 1991. Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “VVI.”

Our website address is www.viad.com. All of our SEC filings, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, are available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file that material with, or furnished it to, the SEC. The information contained on our website is neither a part of, nor incorporated by reference into, this 2017 Form 10-K.

Our investor relations website is www.viad.com/investors/investor-center/default.aspx and includes key information about our corporate governance initiatives, including our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Board of Directors committee charters, our Code of Ethics, and information concerning our Board members and how to communicate with them.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our operations and financial results are subject to known and unknown risks. As a result, past financial performance and historical trends may not be reliable indicators of our future performance.

Completed acquisitions may not perform as anticipated or be integrated as planned. We regularly evaluate and pursue opportunities to acquire businesses that complement, enhance, or expand our current business, or offer growth opportunities. Our acquired businesses might not meet our financial and non-financial expectations or yield anticipated benefits. Our success depends, in part, on our ability to conform controls, policies and procedures, and business cultures; consolidate and streamline operations and infrastructures; identify and eliminate redundant and underperforming operations and assets; manage inefficiencies associated with integration of operations; and retain the acquired business’ key personnel and customers. Moreover, our acquisition activity potentially increases our debt, subjects us to new regulatory requirements, distracts our senior management and employees, and exposes us to unknown liabilities or contingencies that we fail to, or are unable to identify prior to closing. If our acquisitions cause us to make changes to our business strategy or if external conditions adversely affect our business operations, we may also be required to record an impairment charge to goodwill or intangible assets. Any of these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, product and service sales, financial condition, and results of operations.

We depend on our large exhibition event clients to renew their service contracts and on our exclusive right to provide those services. During 2017, no single client accounted for more than 6% of our consolidated revenue. However, GES has a number of large exhibition event organizers and large customer accounts. If any of these large clients do not renew their service contracts, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Moreover, when event organizers hire GES as the official services contractor, they also grant GES an exclusive right to perform electrical, plumbing services, and other services (the “Event Services”) at the exhibition facility. However, exhibition facilities are under increasing financial pressure to in-source Event Services (either by performing the services themselves or by hiring a separate service provider) as a result of conditions generally affecting their industry, such as an increased supply of exhibition space. If a large number of exhibition facilities choose to in-source Event Services, GES will lose the ability to provide Event Services despite being hired as the official services contractor, and our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Our business is relationship driven. Our GES business is heavily focused on client relationships, and, specifically, on having close collaboration and interaction with our clients. To be successful, our account team must be able to understand a client’s desires and expectations in order to provide top-quality service. If we lose a key member of our account team, we could also lose customers and our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We operate in highly competitive industries. We are engaged in a number of highly competitive industries. Competition in the Live Events industry and the exhibits and experiential environments industries is driven by price and service quality, among other factors. To the extent competitors seek to gain or retain their market presence through aggressive underpricing strategies, we may be required to lower our prices and rates to avoid the loss of related business, thereby adversely affecting our results of operations. In addition, if we are unable to anticipate and respond as effectively as competitors to changing business conditions, including new technologies and business models, we could lose market share to our competitors. Our inability to meet the challenges presented by the competitive environment could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

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Travel industry disruptions, particularly those affecting the hotel and airline industries, could adversely affect our business. Our business depends largely on the ability and willingness of people, whether exhibitors, exhibition attendees, or others, to travel. Factors adversely affecting the travel industry, and particularly the airline and hotel industries, generally also adversely affect our business and results of operations. Factors that could adversely affect the travel industry include high or rising fuel prices, increased security and passport requirements, weather conditions, airline accidents, and international political instability and hostilities. Any of these factors, or other unexpected events that affect the availability and pricing of air travel and accommodations, could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Transportation disruptions and increases in transportation costs could adversely affect our business and results of operations. GES relies on independent transportation carriers to send materials and exhibits to and from exhibition, warehouse, and customer facilities. If our customers and suppliers are unable to secure the services of those independent transportation carriers at favorable rates, it could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. In addition, disruption of transportation services due to weather-related problems, labor strikes, lockouts, or other events could adversely affect our ability to supply services to customers and could cause the cancellation of exhibitions, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

The seasonality of our business makes us particularly sensitive to adverse events during peak periods. Our GES exhibition and event activity varies significantly because it is based on the frequency and timing of shows, many of which are not held each year and which may shift between quarters. The peak activity for our Pursuit business is during the summer months. Consequently, during 2017, 87% of Pursuit’s revenue was earned in the second and third quarters. If adverse events or conditions occur during these peak periods our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or other catastrophic events could negatively affect our business. The occurrence of catastrophic events ranging from natural disasters (such as hurricanes, fires, and floods), health epidemics or pandemics, acts of war or terrorism, accidents involving our travel offerings or experiences, or the prospect of these events could disrupt our business. Such catastrophic events could have a negative impact on GES’ production facilities, preventing us from timely completing exhibit fabrication and other projects for customers. They could also cause a cancellation of exhibitions and other events held in public venues or disrupt the services we provide to our customers at convention centers, exhibition halls, hotels, and other public venues. Such catastrophic events could also have an adverse impact on Pursuit, which is heavily dependent on the ability and willingness of its guests to travel. Pursuit guests tend to delay or postpone vacations if natural conditions differ from those that typically prevail at competing lodges, resorts and attractions, and catastrophic events could impede the guests’ ability to travel, interrupt our business operations, and/or cause damage to our properties. In addition, unfavorable media attention, or negative publicity, in the wake of a catastrophic event could damage our reputation or reduce the demand for our services. If the conditions arising from such events persist or worsen, they could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We are vulnerable to deterioration in general economic conditions. Our business is sensitive to fluctuations in general economic conditions that affect the cost of materials and operating supplies. The success of our GES business largely depends on the number of exhibitions held, the size of exhibitors’ marketing expenditures, and on the strength of particular industries in which exhibitors operate. The number and size of exhibitions generally decrease when the economy weakens. We also suffer from reduced spending for our services because many exhibitors’ marketing budgets are partly discretionary, and are frequently among the first expenditures reduced when economic conditions deteriorate. Consequently, marketing expenditures often are not increased until economic conditions improve. Revenue from our Pursuit operation depends largely on the amount of disposable income that consumers have available for travel and vacations. This amount decreases during periods of weak general economic conditions. Any of these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, product sales, financial condition, and results of operations.

Recent U.S. tax legislation may materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), enacted in late 2017, makes significant changes to U.S. tax laws and includes numerous provisions that could affect our business. For instance, as a result of lower corporate tax rates, the Tax Act tends to reduce both the value of deferred tax assets and the amount of deferred tax liabilities. It also limits interest rate deductions and the amount of net operating losses that can be used each year and alters the expensing of capital expenditures. Other provisions have tax consequences for our international operations. The Tax Act is unclear in certain respects and will require interpretations and implementing regulations by the Internal Revenue Service, as well as state tax authorities. The Tax Act could also be subject to amendments and technical corrections, any of which could lessen or increase the adverse impacts on our business operations. The accounting treatment of these tax law changes is complex, and some of the changes may affect both current and future periods. Others will primarily affect future periods. As we have discussed elsewhere in this Report on Form 10-K, we believe our analysis and computations of the tax effects of the Tax Act on financial results is substantially, but not entirely, complete. Consistent with guidance from the SEC, our financial statements reflect our estimates of the tax effects of the Tax Act on our business. Although we believe these estimates are reasonable, they are

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provisional and may be adjusted prior to the end of 2018. Any such adjustments could affect our current or future financial statements, or both.We continue to examine the impact of this taxreform legislation, and as its overall impact is uncertain, we note that the Tax Act could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

We are subject to currency exchange rate fluctuations.We have operations outside of the U.S. primarily in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and to a lesser extent, in certain other countries. During 2017, GES International and Pursuit’s international operations accounted for approximately 30% of our consolidated revenue and 58% of our segment operating income. Consequently, a significant portion of our business is exposed to currency exchange rate fluctuations. Our financial results and capital ratios are sensitive to movements in currency exchange rates because a large portion of our assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses must be translated into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes. The unrealized gains or losses resulting from the currency translation are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in our consolidated balance sheets. As a result, significant fluctuations in currency exchange rates could result in material changes to the net equity position we report in our consolidated balance sheets. We do not currently hedge equity risk arising from the translation of non-U.S. denominated assets and liabilities.

Our participation in multi-employer pension plans could substantially increase our pension costs. We sponsor a number of defined benefit plans for our U.S. and Canada-based employees. We are obligated to contribute to multi-employer pension plans under collective-bargaining agreements covering our union-represented employees. We contributed $26.6 million in 2017 and $25.8 million in 2016 to those multi-employer pension plans. These multi-employer plans are managed by third-party boards of trustees. Based upon the information we receive from plan administrators, we believe that several of those multi-employer plans are underfunded. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 requires us to reduce the underfunded status over defined time periods. Moreover, we would be required to make additional payments of our proportionate share of a plan’s unfunded vested liabilities if a plan terminates, or other contributing employers withdraw, due to insolvency or other reasons, or if we voluntarily withdraw from a plan. At this time, we cannot determine with any certainty the amount of additional funding, if any, we could be required to make to those plans. However, significant plan contribution increases, could materially and adversely affect our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. Refer to Note 17 – Pension and Postretirement Benefits of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for further information.

Union-represented labor increases our risk of higher labor costs and work stoppages. A significant portion of our employees are unionized. We have approximately 100 collective-bargaining agreements, and we are required to renegotiate approximately one-third of those each year. If we increase wages or benefits as a result of labor negotiations, either our operating margins will suffer, or we could increase the cost of our services to our customers, which could lead those customers to turn to other vendors with lower prices. Either event could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Additionally, if we are unable to reach an agreement with a union during the collective-bargaining process, the union may strike or carry out other types of work stoppages. If that happens, we might be unable to find substitute workers with the necessary skills to perform many of the services, or we may incur additional costs to do so, both of which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We are vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks and threats. We regularly collect and process credit, financial, and other personal, sensitive, and confidential information from individuals and entities who attend or participate in events and exhibitions that we produce, or who visit our attractions and other offerings. In addition, our devices, servers, computer systems, and business systems are vulnerable to cybersecurity risk, including cyberattacks, or we may be the target of email scams that attempt to acquire personal information and company assets. Despite our efforts to protect ourselves with insurance, and create security barriers to such threats, including regularly reviewing our systems for vulnerabilities and continually updating our protections, we might not be able to entirely mitigate these risks. Our failure to effectively prevent, detect, and recover from the increasing number and sophistication of information security threats could lead to business interruptions, delays or loss of critical data, misuse, modification, or destruction of information, including trade secrets and confidential business information, reputational damage, and third-party claims, any of which could adversely and materially affect our results of operations.

Laws and regulations relating to the handling of personal data could result in increased costs, legal claims, or fines. We store and process personally identifiable information from our customers, employees, and third parties with whom we have business relationships. Legal requirements relating to the collection, storage, handling, and transfer of personal data continue to evolve and could lead to burdensome or inconsistent requirements affecting the location and movement of our customer and internal employee data as well as the management of the data. For example, in July 2016, the EU and the U.S. agreed on a mechanism for companies to transfer data from EU member states to the U.S. This framework, called the Privacy Shield, is intended to address shortcomingsidentified by the European Court of Justice in a predecessor mechanism.

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The Privacy Shield and other mechanisms are currently subject to challenges in European courts, which may lead to uncertainty about the legal basis for data transfers across the Atlantic. Also, in May 2018, the EU’s new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will replace the existing EU Data Protection Directive, and it will have a significant impact on how businesses can collect and process the personal data of EU individuals. The GDPR includes a requirement for businesses to self-report personaldata breaches to the relevant supervisory authority and, under certain circumstances, to the affected data subjects. It also gives additional rights to individuals whose data are processed, including the “right to erasure” (also commonly known as the right to be forgotten) by having their records erased and the right to data portability. Compliance with the myriad requirements could involve changes in our services, business practices, or internal systems that could likely increase our costs, lower revenue, reduce efficiency, or make it more difficult to compete with Non-U.S.-based firms. Our failure to comply with existing or new rules could result in significant penalties or orders to stop the alleged noncompliant activity, litigation, adverse publicity, or could cause our customers to lose trust in our services. In addition, if the third parties we work with violate applicable laws, contractual obligations, or suffer a security breach, those violations could also put us in breach of our obligations under privacy laws and regulations.Any of these risks could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

New capital projects may not be commercially successful. From time to time, we pursue capital projects, such as our current efforts to upgrade some of our Pursuit offerings in order to seize opportunities that complement, enhance, and expand our business. Capital projects are subject to a number of risks, including unanticipated delays, cost overruns, and the failure to achieve established financial and strategic goals, as well as additional risks specific to a project. The occurrence of any of these events could prevent a new capital project from performing in accordance with our commercial expectations and could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Show rotation affects our profitability and makes comparisons between periods difficult. GES results are largely dependent upon the frequency, timing, and location of exhibitions and events. Some large exhibitions are not held annually (they may be held once every two or three years or longer) or may be held at different times of year from when they were previously held. In addition, the same exhibition may change locations from year to year resulting in lower margins if the exhibition shifts to a higher-cost location. Any of these factors could cause our results of operations to fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter or from year to year, making periodic comparisons difficult.

The United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union could adversely affect our business.We operate substantial parts of our EU businesses from U.K-based entities. The June 23, 2016 U.K. referendum resulted in a determination that the U.K. should exit the EU. In March 2017, the U.K. government initiated the exit process under Article 50 of the Treaty of the EU, commencing a period of up to two years for the United Kingdom and the other EU member states to negotiate the terms of the withdrawal. The uncertainty surrounding the timing, terms and consequences of the U.K.’s exit could adversely impact customer and investor confidence, result in additional market volatility and adversely affect our businesses and our results of operations and financial condition. Once the U.K. exits from the EU, the regulatory and legal environment that would then govern our U.K. operations will depend on, in certain respects, the nature of the arrangements agreed to between the U.K., the EU, and other trading partners. It is likely that changes to our legal entity structure and operations in Europe will be required as a result of these arrangements, which might result in a less efficient operating model across our European legal entities.

Liabilities relating to prior and discontinued operations may adversely affect our results of operations. We, and our predecessors, have a corporate history spanning over eight decades and involving approximately 2,400 previous subsidiaries in diverse businesses, such as the manufacturing of locomotives, buses, industrial chemicals, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, leather, textiles, food, and fresh meats. Some of those businesses used raw materials that have been, and may continue to be, subject to litigation. Moreover, some of the raw materials used and the waste produced by those businesses have been and are the subject of U.S. federal and state environmental regulations, including laws enacted under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or its state law counterparts. In addition, we may incur other liabilities, resulting from indemnification claims involving previously sold subsidiaries, as well as from past operations of predecessors or their subsidiaries. Although we believe we have adequate reserves and sufficient insurance coverage to cover those future liabilities, future events or proceedings could contradict with current assumptions, which could cause reserves or insurance to become inadequate and, ultimately, materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

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Item 2. Properties

We operate service or production facilities and maintain sales and service offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Romania, and Hong Kong. Our principal properties are operated by GES, Pursuit, and Viad Corporate.

GES

	Offices				Multi-use Facilities(1)
	Owned		Leased		Owned		Leased
GES U.S.		—		19		2		30
GES International:
Canada		—		4		—		7
United Kingdom		—		3		—		6
Germany		—		1		—		2
United Arab Emirates		—		1		—		2
Netherlands		—		1		—		2
Switzerland		—		1		—		—
Romania		—		—		—		1
Hong Kong		—		1		—		—
Total GES International		—		12		—		20
Total GES		—		31		2		50

⁽¹⁾ Multi-use facilities include manufacturing, sales and design, office, storage and/or warehouse, and truck marshaling yards. Multi-use facilities vary in size up to approximately 677,800 square feet at GES U.S. and approximately 133,600 square feet at GES International.

Pursuit

	Owned		Leased
Offices(1)		2		5
Retail stores		23		1
Bus terminal		1		—
Garages(1)		4		2
Attractions(1)		7		—
Hotels/Lodges(1)(2)		15		—
Total Pursuit		52		8

⁽¹⁾ Includes four hotels/lodges, an office, all of the owned garages, and all of the Canadian-based attractions situated on land subject to multiple long-term ground leases with the Canadian government.

⁽²⁾ Includes ancillary food and beverage services, retail, and recreational facilities.

Viad Headquarters

Our headquarters is leased and approximates 19,900 square feet, and is located at 1850 North Central Avenue, Suite 1900 in Phoenix, Arizona 85004-4565.

We believe our facilities are adequate and suitable for our business operations and that capacity is sufficient for current needs. For additional information related to our lease obligations, refer to Note 11 – Debt and Capital Lease Obligations and Note 19 – Leases and Other of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K).

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

Refer to Note 20 – Litigation, Claims, Contingencies, and Other of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for information regarding legal proceedings for which we are involved.

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Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Other.Executive Officers of the Registrant

Our executive officers as of December 31, 2017 were as follows:

Name	Age	Business Experience During the Past Five Years and Other Information
Steven W. Moster	48	President and Chief Executive Officer of Viad since 2014; President of GES since 2011; President of Global Experience Specialists, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Viad, since 2010; prior thereto, independent consultant providing marketing and sales consultation services to 3 Day Blinds Corporation, a manufacturer and retailer of custom window coverings, from April 2010 to August 2010; prior thereto, held various positions within Global Experience Specialists, Inc., including Executive Vice President-Chief Sales & Marketing Officer from 2008 to 2010; Executive Vice President-Products and Services from 2006 to 2008; and Vice President-Products & Services Business from 2005 to 2006; and prior thereto, Engagement Manager, Management Strategy Consulting for McKinsey & Company, a multinational management consulting firm, from 2000 to 2004.
Ellen M. Ingersoll	53	Chief Financial Officer since July 2002; prior thereto, Vice President-Controller or similar position since 2002; prior thereto, Controller of CashX, Inc., a service provider of stored value internet cards, from June 2001 through October 2001; prior thereto, Operations Finance Director of LeapSource, Inc., a provider of business process outsourcing, from 2000 to June 2001; and prior thereto, Vice President and Controller of Franchise Finance Corporation of America since 1992.
David W. Barry	55	President of Pursuit since June 2015; prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and President of Trust Company of America, the largest independent registered investment adviser custodian in the United States, from 2011 to June 2015; prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of The Alpine Group of Companies, the largest helicopter skiing company in the world and a division of Intrawest Resorts Holdings, Inc., a public company, from 2004 to 2011; and prior thereto, President and Chief Operating Officer of Intrawest USA, a $500 million division of Intrawest Resorts Holdings, Inc. with 13,000 employees, from 2004 to 2007.
Leslie S. Striedel	55	Chief Accounting Officer since 2014; prior thereto, Vice President of Finance from March 2014 to April 2014; prior thereto, Vice President of Finance and Administration or similar positions with Colt Defense LLC, a designer, developer and manufacturer of firearms for military, personal defense and recreational purposes, from 2010 to 2013; prior thereto, Vice President of Finance, Director of Financial Reporting and Compliance and Corporate Controller of White Electronics Designs Corp. (now a subsidiary of Microsemi Corporation), a public company manufacturing circuits and semiconductors, from 2004 to 2010; and prior thereto, Corporate Controller of MD Helicopters, an international helicopter manufacturer, Corporate Controller of Fluke Networks (formerly Microtest, Inc.), a publicly-traded manufacturing and technology company, and Senior Tax Manager for KPMG LLP.

Our executive officers’ term of office is until our next Board of Directors annual organization meeting to be held on May 17, 2018.

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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol VVI. The high and low common stock market prices per share were as follows:

	2017				2016
	High		Low		High		Low
First Quarter	$	48.30	$	42.40	$	29.84	$	25.90
Second Quarter	$	48.85	$	42.05	$	32.29	$	27.96
Third Quarter	$	61.65	$	46.05	$	37.85	$	30.21
Fourth Quarter	$	61.85	$	53.65	$	47.40	$	34.40

Holders

As of January 31, 2018, there were 5,600 shareholders of record of our common stock, including 293 shareholders that had not converted their shares following a reverse stock split effective on July 1, 2004.

Dividends

For the year ended December 31, 2017, our Board of Directors declared the following dividends:

Declaration Date	Dividend Per Share		Record Date	Payable Date
November 29, 2017	$	0.10	December 15, 2017	January 2, 2018
August 16, 2017	$	0.10	September 8, 2017	October 2, 2017
May 18, 2017	$	0.10	June 2, 2017	July 3, 2017
February 22, 2017	$	0.10	March 10, 2017	April 3, 2017

For the year ended December 31, 2016, our Board of Directors declared the following dividends:

Declaration Date	Dividend Per Share		Record Date	Payable Date
December 1, 2016	$	0.10	December 16, 2016	January 3, 2017
August 24, 2016	$	0.10	September 9, 2016	October 3, 2016
May 19, 2016	$	0.10	June 3, 2016	July 1, 2016
February 24, 2016	$	0.10	March 11, 2016	April 1, 2016

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

During the fourth quarter of 2017, certain previously owned shares of common stock were surrendered by employees, former employees, and non-employee directors for tax withholding requirements on vested share-based awards.

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchasedas Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
October 1, 2017 - October 31, 2017		2,968	$	59.83		—		440,540
November 1, 2017 - November 30, 2017		497	$	55.55		—		440,540
December 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017		11,151	$	57.60		—		440,540
Total		14,616	$	57.98		—		440,540

Our Board of Directors has authorized us to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices. As of December 31, 2017, 440,540 shares remain available for repurchase. The Board’s authorization has no expiration date. During the three months ended December 31, 2017, no shares were repurchased on the open market.

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Performance Graph

The following graph compares the change in the cumulative total shareholder return, from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2017, on our common stock, the Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 Media Index, the Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 Commercial Services & Supplies Index, the Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 Index, the Russell 2000 Index, and Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (assuming reinvestment of dividends, as applicable). The graph assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2012.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016		2017
Viad Corp	$	100.00	$	114.17	$	118.43	$	127.22	$	201.04	$	254.60
S&P 500	$	100.00	$	132.38	$	150.47	$	152.53	$	170.76	$	208.02
Russell 2000	$	100.00	$	138.82	$	145.64	$	139.21	$	168.84	$	193.54
S&P SmallCap 600	$	100.00	$	141.31	$	149.42	$	146.42	$	185.16	$	209.51
S&P 600 Comm. Services & Supplies	$	100.00	$	143.41	$	142.43	$	139.00	$	177.43	$	189.99
S&P 600 Media Index	$	100.00	$	162.65	$	190.80	$	201.03	$	180.37	$	207.93

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2017		2016		2015		2014		2013
Summary Statement of Operations Data
Revenue (1) :
Exhibition and event services	$	967,352	$	881,137	$	799,752	$	772,770	$	685,350
Exhibits and environments		165,745		170,469		177,126		171,698		159,554
Pursuit services		173,868		153,364		112,170		120,519		108,443
Total revenue	$	1,306,965	$	1,204,970	$	1,089,048	$	1,064,987	$	953,347
Income from continuing operations (2)	$	58,452	$	43,479	$	27,442	$	41,178	$	19,320
Income from continuing operations attributable to Viad common    stockholders	$	57,975	$	42,953	$	27,000	$	40,790	$	19,437
Basic and diluted income from continuing operations attributable to    Viad common stockholders per share (2)	$	2.84	$	2.12	$	1.34	$	2.02	$	0.96
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.40	$	0.40	$	0.40	$	1.90	$	2.90
Other Data
Adjusted EBITDA (3)	$	137,550	$	112,428	$	76,801	$	73,954	$	59,157
	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015		2014		2013
Summary Balance Sheet Data
Cash and cash equivalents	$	53,723	$	20,900	$	56,531	$	56,990	$	45,821
Total assets	$	919,899	$	869,816	$	690,723	$	712,979	$	561,424
Total debt and capital lease obligations	$	209,192	$	249,211	$	127,403	$	139,056	$	11,160
Redeemable noncontrolling interest (4)	$	6,648	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Total stockholders’ equity	$	442,937	$	370,638	$	335,338	$	347,702	$	356,543
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interest	$	13,806	$	13,283	$	12,757	$	12,315	$	9,102

⁽¹⁾ The 2017 amounts include $1.4 million in revenue from our Poken acquisition. The 2016 amounts include an aggregate $55.7 million in revenue from our acquisitions of ON Services, CATC Alaska Tourism Corporation (“CATC”), Maligne Lake Tours Ltd. (“Maligne Lake Tours”), and FlyOver Canada. The 2014 amounts include an aggregate $21.2 million in revenue from our acquisitions of the West Glacier Properties, Blitz, onPeak, and N200. Refer to Note 3 – Acquisition of Businesses of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K).

⁽²⁾ Income from continuing operations includes the following items:

• Restructuring charges, pre-tax, of $1.0 million in 2017, $5.2 million in 2016, $3.0 million in 2015, $1.6 million in 2014, and $3.8 million in 2013. Refer to Note 18 – Restructuring Charges of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K).

• Impairment charges (recoveries), pre-tax, net, of $(29.1) million in 2017, $0.2 million in 2016, $0.1 million in 2015, $0.9 million in 2014, and $1.0 million in 2013. Refer to Note 6 – Property and Equipment of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K).

• Income tax expense in 2017 included a $16.1 million charge related to the Tax Act. Income tax expense in 2015 included a $1.6 million non-cash tax benefit related to deferred taxes associated with certain foreign intangibles. Income tax expense in 2014 included the $11.7 million valuation allowance release related to our foreign tax credit and state net operating loss carryforwards. Refer to Note 16 – Income Taxes of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K).

⁽³⁾ Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (Part II, Item 7 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for a discussion of the “Non-GAAP Measures.”

⁽⁴⁾ On November 3, 2017, we acquired the controlling interest (54.5% of the common stock) in Esja, a private corporation in Reykjavik, Iceland, The Esja acquisition contains a put option that gives the minority Esja shareholders the right to sell (or “put”) their Esja shares to us based on a calculated formula within a predefined term.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes. The MD&A is intended to assist you in understanding our financial condition and results of operations. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to various factors discussed under “Risk Factors,” “Forward-Looking Statements,” and elsewhere in this 2017 Form 10-K.

Overview

We are an international experiential services company with operations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, continental Europe, and the United Arab Emirates. We are committed to providing unforgettable experiences to our clients and guests. We operate through three reportable business segments: GES U.S., GES International, (collectively, “GES”), and Pursuit.

GES is a global, full-service provider for live events that produces exhibitions, conferences, corporate events, and consumer events. GES offers a comprehensive range of live event services and a full suite of audio-visual services from creative and technology to content and design, along with online tools powered by next generation technologies that help clients easily manage the complexities of their events.

Pursuit is a collection of iconic natural and cultural destination travel experiences that enjoy perennial demand. Pursuit offers guests distinctive and world renowned experiences through its collection of unique hotels and lodges, world-class recreational attractions, and ground transportation services.

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Results of Operations

Financial Highlights

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2017		2016		2015		Percentage Change 2017 vs. 2016			Percentage Change 2016 vs. 2015
Revenue	$	1,306,965	$	1,204,970	$	1,089,048		8.5	%		10.6	%
Net income attributable to Viad	$	57,707	$	42,269	$	26,606		36.5	%		58.9	%
Segment operating income (1)	$	97,051	$	85,928	$	54,584		12.9	%		57.4	%
Diluted income per common share from continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	2.84	$	2.12	$	1.34		34.0	%		58.2	%

2017 compared with 2016

• Total revenue increased$102.0 million or 8.5%, mainly due to the incremental revenue from the ON Services and FlyOver Canada acquisitions, and to a lesser degree, the Poken, and CATC acquisitions, of $52.6 million and underlying growth at GES and Pursuit, offset in part by negative show rotation of approximately $8 million and an unfavorable foreign exchange impact of $5.6 million.

• Net income attributable to Viad increased $15.4 million or 36.5%, primarily due to impairment recoveries of $29.1 million related to the Mount Royal Hotel fire, higher segment operating income, and a decrease in restructuring charges, offset in part by higher tax expense, including a $16.1 million charge as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) enacted on December 22, 2017, higher corporate activities expense due to an increase in performance-based compensation driven by our stock price appreciation, and higher interest expense.

• Total segment operating income⁽¹⁾ increased $11.1 million or 12.9%, primarily due to the increase in revenue.

2016 compared with 2015

• Total revenue increased $115.9 million or 10.6%, mainly due to the incremental revenue from the 2016 acquisitions, primarily CATC, ON Services, and Maligne Lake Tours of $55.7 million, positive show rotation of approximately $52 million, and continued underlying growth in both GES and Pursuit, offset in part by an unfavorable foreign exchange impact of $24.0 million.

• Net income attributable to Viad increased $15.7 million or 58.9%, primarily due to increased segment operating income at GES and Pursuit, offset in part by higher income tax expense.

• Total segment operating income⁽¹⁾ increased $31.3 million or 57.4%, primarily due to high flow-through on the increase in revenue.

⁽¹⁾ Refer to Note 22 – Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure, segment operating income, to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

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Foreign Exchange Rate Variances

We conduct our foreign operations primarily in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and to a lesser extent, in certain other countries.

2017 compared with 2016

The following table summarizes the foreign exchange rate variance effects (or “FX Impact”) on revenue and segment operating results from our significant international operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, excluding the effect of acquisitions completed during 2017 and 2016:

	Revenue							Segment Operating Results
	Weighted-Average Exchange Rates				FX Impact			Weighted-Average Exchange Rates				FX Impact
	2017		2016		(inthousands)			2017		2016		(inthousands)
GES:
Canada (CAD)	$	0.77	$	0.76	$	775		$	0.77	$	0.76	$	(114	)
United Kingdom (GBP)	$	1.29	$	1.35		(9,001	)	$	1.30	$	1.33		(160	)
Europe (EUR)	$	1.14	$	1.11		970		$	1.15	$	1.10		131
						(7,256	)						(143	)
Pursuit:
Canada (CAD)	$	0.78	$	0.77		1,676		$	0.78	$	0.76		710
					$	(5,580	)					$	567

2016 compared with 2015

The following table summarizes the FX Impact on revenue and segment operating results from our significant international operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, excluding the effect of acquisitions completed during 2016:

	Revenue							Segment Operating Results
	Weighted-Average Exchange Rates				FX Impact			Weighted-Average Exchange Rates				FX Impact
	2016		2015		(inthousands)			2016		2015		(inthousands)
GES:
Canada (CAD)	$	0.76	$	0.78	$	(1,852	)	$	0.76	$	0.79	$	(77	)
United Kingdom (GBP)	$	1.35	$	1.53		(20,946	)	$	1.34	$	1.53		(632	)
Europe (EUR)	$	1.11	$	1.10		150		$	1.10	$	1.11		36
						(22,648	)						(673	)
Pursuit:
Canada (CAD)	$	0.77	$	0.78		(1,307	)	$	0.76	$	0.78		91
					$	(23,955	)					$	(582	)

The 2017 and 2016 revenue and segment operating results were primarily impacted by the weakening of the British pound relative to the U.S. dollar. Future changes in the exchange rates may impact overall expected profitability and historical period-to-period comparisons when revenue and segment operating results are translated into U.S. dollars.

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Analysis of Revenue and Operating Results by Reportable Segment

GES

2017 compared with 2016

The following table presents a comparison of GES’ reported revenue and segment operating results to organic revenue⁽³⁾ and organic segment operating results⁽³⁾ for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

	Year Ended December 31, 2017												Year Ended December 31, 2016									Change
(in thousands)	As Reported			Acquisitions(1)			FX Impact			Organic(3)			As Reported			Acquisitions(2)			Organic(3)			As Reported			Organic(3)
Revenue:
GES:
U.S.	$	872,154		$	72,441		$	—		$	799,713		$	826,408		$	30,737		$	795,671			5.5	%		0.5	%
International		282,712			917			(7,256	)		289,051			248,503			—			248,503			13.8	%		16.3	%
Intersegment eliminations		(21,769	)		—			—			(21,769	)		(20,172	)		—			(20,172	)		(7.9	)%		(7.9	)%
Total GES	$	1,133,097		$	73,358		$	(7,256	)	$	1,066,995		$	1,054,739		$	30,737		$	1,024,002			7.4	%		4.2	%
Segment operating income (loss)(4):
GES:
U.S.	$	34,494		$	(5,043	)	$	—		$	39,537		$	40,524		$	(764	)	$	41,288			(14.9	)%		(4.2	)%
International		15,475			(930	)		(143	)		16,548			9,699			—			9,699			59.6	%		70.6	%
Total GES	$	49,969		$	(5,973	)	$	(143	)	$	56,085		$	50,223		$	(764	)	$	50,987			(0.5	)%		10.0	%

⁽¹⁾ Acquisitions include ON Services (acquired August 2016) for GES U.S. and Poken (acquired March 2017) for GES International and GES U.S.

⁽²⁾ To maximize synergies, GES’ existing in-house audio-visual services team was merged into ON Services. Accordingly, GES U.S. acquisitions include results from the existing in-house audio-visual team.

⁽³⁾ Organic revenue and organic segment operating results are non-GAAP financial measures that adjust for the impacts of exchange rate variances and acquisitions, if any, until such acquisitions are included in the entirety of both comparable periods presented. For more information about organic revenue and organic segment operating results, see the “Non-GAAP Measures” section of this MD&A.

⁽⁴⁾ Refer to Note 22 – Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure, segment operating income (loss), to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

GES U.S.

GES U.S. revenue increased $45.7 million or 5.5%, primarily due to incremental revenue of $41.7 million mainly from the ON Services acquisition and, to a lesser degree, the Poken acquisition, base same-show revenue growth of 4.8%, and new business wins, offset in part by a low margin contract that expired in 2016 and was not renewed and negative show rotation of approximately $11 million. Base same-show revenue represented 35.4% of GES U.S. organic revenue*. Organic revenue* increased $4.0 million or 0.5%.

GES U.S. operating income decreased $6.0 million or 14.9%, primarily due to a less favorable mix of revenue, additional depreciation and amortization expense from the acquisition of ON Services and cost increases, offset in part by lower performance-based incentives and income of $2.8 million from a favorable contract settlement. Organic operating income* decreased $1.8 million or 4.2%.

GES International

GES International revenue increased $34.2 million or 13.8%, primarily due to new business wins, same-show growth, and positive show rotation of approximately $3 million, offset in part by an unfavorable FX Impact of $7.3 million. Organic revenue* increased $40.5 million or 16.3%.

GES International operating income increased $5.8 million or 59.6%, primarily due to higher revenue. Organic operating income* increased $6.8 million or 70.6%.

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* Refer to footnote (3) in the above table for more information about the non-GAAP financial measures of organic revenue and organic segment operating results.

2018 Outlook

Although GES has a diversified revenue base and long-term contracts for future shows, its revenue is affected by general economic and industry-specific conditions. The prospects for individual shows tend to be driven by the success of the industry related to those shows. In general, the exhibition and event industry is experiencing modest growth.

For 2018, we expect GES’ revenue will be up slightly from 2017. Show rotation is expected to have a net negative impact on GES’ revenue of approximately $40 million compared to 2017. We expect GES U.S. base same-show revenue to increase at a mid-single digit rate. We anticipate a favorable FX Impact of approximately $18 million on GES’ 2018 full year revenue and approximately $0.5 million on GES’ segment operating income. The expected FX Impact assumes that the U.S. dollar to the British pound exchange rate will be $1.39 and the U.S. dollar to the Canadian dollar exchange rate will be $0.81 during 2018. For more information about segment operating income, see the “Non-GAAP Measures” section of this MD&A.

We are executing a strategic growth plan to position GES as the preferred global, full-service provider for Live Events, with further reach to corporate events, consumer events, conferences, and exhibitions. To support this strategy, since 2014, we have acquired two leading audio-visual production businesses and four leading event technology businesses that complement, enhance, and expand our current business and offer higher-margin growth opportunities. We continue to pursue additional opportunities to acquire businesses with proven products and services to create the most comprehensive suite of services for the Live Events industry. During 2018, we intend to make selective investments in additional resources to capitalize on continued growth opportunities in under-penetrated categories of Live Events, such as corporate events and consumer events, and in cross-selling new services.

Additionally, we remain focused on improving GES’ profitability through continued efforts to effectively manage labor costs by driving productivity gains through rigorous and strategic pre-show planning and on-site labor management that reduces the ratio of labor costs to revenue. Improving this metric is our top priority as we continue to develop and enhance tools to support and systematize show site labor planning, measurement, and benchmarking.

2016 compared with 2015

The following table provides a comparison of GES’ reported revenue and segment operating results to organic revenue⁽²⁾ and organic segment operating results⁽²⁾ for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

	Year Ended December 31, 2016												Year Ended December 31, 2015								Change
(in thousands)	As Reported			Acquisitions(1)			FX Impact			Organic(2)			As Reported			Acquisitions		Organic(2)			As Reported			Organic(2)
Revenue:
GES:
U.S.	$	826,408		$	21,306		$	—		$	805,102		$	720,882		$	—	$	720,882			14.6	%		11.7	%
International		248,503			—			(22,648	)		271,151			272,634			—		272,634			(8.9	)%		(0.5	)%
Intersegment eliminations		(20,172	)		—			—			(20,172	)		(16,638	)		—		(16,638	)		(21.2	)%		(21.2	)%
Total GES	$	1,054,739		$	21,306		$	(22,648	)	$	1,056,081		$	976,878		$	—	$	976,878			8.0	%		8.1	%
Segment operating income (loss)(3):
GES:
U.S.	$	40,524		$	(804	)	$	—		$	41,328		$	14,563		$	—	$	14,563		**			**
International		9,699			—			(673	)		10,372			12,211			—		12,211			(20.6	)%		(15.1	)%
Total GES	$	50,223		$	(804	)	$	(673	)	$	51,700		$	26,774		$	—	$	26,774			87.6	%		93.1	%

** Change is greater than +/- 100%.

⁽¹⁾ Acquisition for GES U.S. includes ON Services (acquired August 2016).

⁽²⁾ Organic revenue and organic segment operating results are non-GAAP financial measures that adjust for the impacts of exchange rate variances and acquisitions, if any, until such acquisitions are included in the entirety of both comparable periods presented. For more information about organic revenue and organic segment operating results, see the “Non-GAAP Measures” section of this MD&A.

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⁽³⁾ Refer to Note 22 – Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure, segment operating income (loss) to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

GES U.S.

GES U.S. revenue increased $105.5 million or 14.6%, primarily due to positive show rotation of approximately $59 million, base same-show revenue growth of 4.1%, the incremental revenue from the acquisition of ON Services of $21.3 million, new business wins, and increased sales to corporate clients. Base same-show revenue represented 39.1% of GES U.S. 2016 organic revenue*. Organic revenue* increased $84.2 million or 11.7%.

GES U.S. operating income increased $26.0 million, primarily due to higher revenue and the strong operating leverage that exists within the GES business. ON Services generated a segment operating loss of $0.8 million during our partial year of ownership, which included depreciation and amortization expense of $4.0 million. Organic operating income* increased $26.8 million.

GES International

GES International revenue decreased $24.1 million or 8.9%, primarily due to an unfavorable FX Impact of $22.6 million and negative show rotation of approximately $7 million, offset in part by new business wins. Organic revenue* decreased $1.5 million or 0.5%.

GES International operating income decreased $2.5 million or 20.6%, primarily reflecting lower revenue and investments in personnel and assets to support continued growth of the business. Organic operating income* decreased $1.8 million or 15.1%.

* Refer to footnote (2) in the above table for more information about the non-GAAP financial measures of organic revenue and organic segment operating results.

Pursuit

2017 compared with 2016

The following table provides a comparison of Pursuit’s reported revenue and segment operating results to organic revenue⁽²⁾ and organic segment operating results⁽²⁾ for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

	Year Ended December 31, 2017											Year Ended December 31, 2016								Change
(in thousands)	As Reported			Acquisitions(1)		FX Impact			Organic(2)			As Reported			Acquisitions(1)		Organic(2)			As Reported			Organic(2)
Revenue:
Pursuit:
Hospitality	$	57,852		$	13,279	$	232		$	44,341		$	59,757		$	12,834	$	46,923			(3.2	)%		(5.5	)%
Attractions		98,525			23,517		1,266			73,742			65,945			13,698		52,247			49.4	%		41.1	%
Transportation		13,873			—		211			13,662			11,833			—		11,833			17.2	%		15.5	%
Travel Planning		4,664			1,264		26			3,374			17,631			1,540		16,091			(73.5	)%		(79.0	)%
Intra-Segment Eliminations & Other		(1,046	)		—		(59	)		(987	)		(1,802	)		—		(1,802	)		42.0	%		45.2	%
Total Pursuit	$	173,868		$	38,060	$	1,676		$	134,132		$	153,364		$	28,072	$	125,292			13.4	%		7.1	%
Segment operating income(3):
Total Pursuit	$	47,082		$	5,819	$	710		$	40,553		$	35,705		$	6,000	$	29,705			31.9	%		36.5	%

⁽¹⁾ Acquisitions include CATC (acquired March 2016), FlyOver Canada (acquired December 2016), and FlyOver Iceland (acquired November 2017).

⁽²⁾ Organic revenue and organic segment operating results are non-GAAP financial measures that adjust for the impacts of exchange rate variances and acquisitions, if any, until such acquisitions are included in the entirety of both comparable periods presented. For more information about organic revenue and organic segment operating results, see the “Non-GAAP Measures” section of this MD&A.

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⁽³⁾ Refer to Note 22 – Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure, segment operating income, to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Pursuit revenue increased $20.5 million or 13.4%, due to strong growth in organic attractions revenue primarily driven by the fully renovated Banff Gondola (which was closed for renovations from October 2015 through April 2016), incremental revenue of $10.0 million primarily from the FlyOver Canada acquisition and, to a lesser degree, the CATC acquisition, and a favorable FX Impact of $1.7 million, offset in part by a reduction in travel planning revenue as Pursuit completed the previously announced downsizing of the Banff Jasper Collection’s package tours line of business and a revenue decline of $5.4 million due to the fire-related closure of the Mount Royal Hotel. Organic revenue* increased $8.8 million or 7.1%.

Pursuit operating income increased $11.4 million or 31.9%, primarily due to the increase in revenue from high-margin attractions. Operating income included a $2.5 million business interruption gain for the recovery of lost profits from the Mount Royal Hotel in 2017. Organic operating income* increased $10.8 million or 36.5%.

2018 Outlook

For 2018, we expect Pursuit’s revenue to increase at a high-single to low-double digit rate. We expect a favorable impact to Pursuit’s revenue of approximately $5 million from the planned re-opening of the Mount Royal Hotel in mid-year 2018. As of December 31, 2017, we had a deferred business interruption recovery of $1 million relating to 2018 lost profits from the Mount Royal Hotel that will be recognized in Pursuit’s segment operating results during the first half of 2018. We expect to incur start-up costs of approximately $1 million related to the development of our FlyOver Iceland attraction, which is expected to open in 2019. We anticipate a favorable FX Impact of approximately $5 million on Pursuit’s 2018 revenue and approximately $1 million on segment operating income. In addition to these factors, we expect organic growth across the rest of Pursuit’s lines of business.

2016 compared with 2015

The following table provides a comparison of Pursuit’s reported revenue and segment operating results to organic revenue⁽²⁾  and organic segment operating results⁽²⁾ for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

	Year Ended December 31, 2016											Year Ended December 31, 2015								Change
(in thousands)	As Reported			Acquisitions(1)		FX Impact			Organic(2)			As Reported			Acquisitions		Organic(2)			As Reported			Organic(2)
Revenue:
Pursuit:
Hospitality	$	59,757		$	12,834	$	(328	)	$	47,251		$	41,605		$	—	$	41,605			43.6	%		13.6	%
Attractions		65,945			20,043		(496	)		46,398			42,405			—		42,405			55.5	%		9.4	%
Transportation		11,833			—		(275	)		12,108			13,999			—		13,999			(15.5	)%		(13.5	)%
Travel Planning		17,631			1,540		(233	)		16,324			15,863			—		15,863			11.1	%		2.9	%
Intra-Segment Eliminations & Other		(1,802	)		—		25			(1,827	)		(1,702	)		—		(1,702	)		(5.9	)%		(7.3	)%
Total Pursuit	$	153,364		$	34,417	$	(1,307	)	$	120,254		$	112,170		$	—	$	112,170			36.7	%		7.2	%
Segment operating income(3):
Total Pursuit	$	35,705		$	7,917	$	91		$	27,697		$	27,810		$	—	$	27,810			28.4	%		(0.4	)%

⁽¹⁾ Acquisitions include Maligne Lake Tours (acquired January 2016), CATC (acquired March 2016), and FlyOver Canada (acquired December 2016).

⁽²⁾ Organic revenue and organic segment operating results are non-GAAP financial measures that adjust for the impacts of exchange rate variances and acquisitions, if any, until such acquisitions are included in the entirety of both comparable periods presented. For more information about organic revenue and organic segment operating results, see the “Non-GAAP Measures” section of this MD&A.

⁽³⁾ Refer to Note 22 – Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure, segment operating income, to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

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Pursuit revenue increased $41.2 million or 36.7%, primarily due to incremental revenue of $34.4 million from the 2016 acquisitions of CATC and Maligne Lake Tours, increases across all hospitality assets and attractions, offset in part by the strategic downsizing of the transportation line of business and an unfavorable FX Impact of $1.3 million. Organic revenue* increased $8.1 million or 7.2%.

* Refer to footnote (2) in the above table for more information about the non-GAAP financial measures of organic revenue and organic segment operating results.

Pursuit operating income increased $7.9 million or 28.4%, primarily due to higher revenue, offset in part by higher accruals for performance-based incentives, acquisition transaction-related costs, and investments to support continued growth of the business. Organic operating income* decreased $0.1 million or 0.4%.

* Refer to footnote (2) in the above table for more information about the non-GAAP financial measures of organic revenue and organic segment operating results.

Performance Measures

We use the following key business metrics, common in the hospitality industry, to evaluate Pursuit’s hospitality business:

• Revenue per Available Room. RevPAR is calculated as total rooms revenue divided by the total number of room nights available for all comparable Pursuit hospitality properties during the period. Total rooms revenue does not include non-rooms revenue, which consists of ancillary revenue generated by hospitality properties, such as food and beverage and retail revenue. RevPAR measures the period-over-period change in rooms revenue for comparable hospitality properties. RevPAR is affected by average daily rate and occupancy, which have different implications on profitability.

• Average Daily Rate. ADR is calculated as total rooms revenue divided by the total number of room nights sold for all comparable Pursuit hospitality properties during the period. ADR is used to assess the pricing levels that the hospitality properties are able to generate. Increases in ADR at hospitality properties lead to increases in rooms revenue with no substantial effect on variable costs, therefore having a greater impact on margins than increases in occupancy.

• Occupancy. Occupancy is calculated as the total number of room nights sold divided by the total number of room nights available for all comparable Pursuit hospitality properties during the period. Occupancy measures the utilization of the available capacity at the hospitality properties. Increases in occupancy result in increases in rooms revenue and additional variable operating costs (including housekeeping services, utilities, and room amenity costs), as well as increased ancillary non-rooms revenue (including food and beverage and retail revenue).

We evaluate the performance of Pursuit’s attractions business utilizing the number of passengers and total attractions revenue per passenger. The number of passengers allows us to assess the volume of visitor activity at each attraction during the period. Total attractions revenue per passenger is calculated as total attractions revenue divided by the total number of passengers at all Pursuit attractions during the period. Total attractions revenue includes ticket sales and ancillary revenue generated by attractions, such as food and beverage and retail revenue. Total attractions revenue per passenger measures the total spend per visitor that attraction properties are able to capture, which is important to the profitability of the attractions business.

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2017 compared with 2016

The following table provides Pursuit’s same-store key performance indicators for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The same-store metrics indicate the performance of all of Pursuit’s properties and attractions that we owned and operated at full capacity, considering seasonal closures, for the entirety of both periods presented. For Pursuit properties and attractions located in Canada, comparisons to the prior year are on a constant U.S. dollar basis, using the current year quarterly average exchange rates for previous periods, to eliminate the FX Impact. We believe this same-store constant currency basis provides better comparability between reporting periods.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			% Change
Same-Store Key Performance Indicators (1)
Hospitality:
Room nights available		181,242			179,420			1.0	%
RevPAR	$	126		$	118			6.8	%
ADR	$	180		$	171			5.3	%
Occupancy		70.2	%		69.2	%		1.0	%
Attractions:
Passengers		1,793,779			1,594,508			12.5	%
Revenue per passenger	$	42		$	33			27.3	%

⁽¹⁾ Same-Store Key Performance Indicators exclude the CATC hospitality properties and attraction (acquired in March 2016) and the FlyOver Canada attraction (acquired in December 2016), as we did not own them for the entirety of 2016. Additionally, the Same-Store Key Performance Indicators exclude the Mount Royal Hotel hospitality property due to its fire-related closure (effective December 2016). The Banff Gondola attraction was closed for renovations from October 2015 through April 2016. Accordingly, 2016 includes only eight months of operation whereas 2017 includes the full year of operations.

Hospitality. Room nights available increased during 2017 primarily due to changes in the opening dates of certain seasonal properties. RevPAR, ADR, and Occupancy increased during 2017 primarily due to our focus on revenue management and refreshing key assets to enhance the guest experience, as well as strong park visitation during 2017.

Attractions. The increase in the number of passengers during 2017 was primarily due to increased visitation at our Banff Gondola, which was closed for renovations during the first four months of 2016. Excluding the Banff Gondola, total same-store attraction passengers increased 53,225 in 2017 primarily driven by our efforts to enhance the guest experience and strong park visitation in Canada.

Revenue per passenger increased during 2017 primarily due to higher effective ticket prices driven by our focus on revenue management and refreshing key assets to enhance the guest experience, and higher ancillary revenue primarily resulting from our recent renovations of the food and beverage and retail operations at the Banff Gondola and the food and beverage operations at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Center.

During 2017, Pursuit derived approximately 64% of its revenue and 86% of its segment operating income from its Canadian operations, which are largely dependent on foreign customer visitation. Accordingly, the strengthening or weakening of the Canadian dollar, relative to other currencies, could affect customer volumes and the results of operations. Additionally, Pursuit is affected by consumer discretionary spending on tourism activities.

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2016 compared with 2015

The following table provides Pursuit’s same-store key performance indicators for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. The same-store metrics indicate the performance of all of Pursuit’s properties and attractions that we owned and operated at full capacity, considering seasonal closures, for the entirety of both periods presented. For Pursuit properties and attractions located in Canada, comparisons to the prior year are on a constant U.S. dollar basis, using the current year quarterly average exchange rates for previous periods, to eliminate the FX Impact. We believe this same-store constant currency basis provides better comparability between reporting periods.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			% Change
Same-Store Key Performance Indicators (1)
Hospitality:
Room nights available		228,290			228,739			(0.2	)%
RevPAR	$	108		$	97			11.3	%
ADR	$	153		$	143			7.0	%
Occupancy		71.1	%		67.4	%		3.7	%
Attractions:
Passengers		1,478,172			1,340,175			10.3	%
Revenue per passenger	$	31		$	31			0.0	%

⁽¹⁾ Same-Store Key Performance Indicators exclude the Maligne Lake Tours attraction (acquired in January 2016), the CATC hospitality properties and attraction (acquired in March 2016), and the FlyOver Canada attraction (acquired in December 2016), as we did not own them for the entirety of 2016. Same-store passengers and revenue per passenger were affected by the closure of the Banff Gondola from October 2015 through April 2016.

Hospitality. Room nights available decreased during 2016 primarily due to changes in the opening dates of certain seasonal Glacier Park, Inc. properties as a result of management’s review of a variety of factors, including weather conditions, opening dates of other properties in the area, and availability of seasonal employees.

RevPAR increased during the year ended December 31, 2016 due to increases in both ADR and occupancy across all geographies resulting from our focus on revenue management and strong park visitation in 2016 due in part to favorable weather conditions in contrast to forest fires during the third quarter of 2015.

Attractions. The increase in the number of passengers for the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily due to revenue management initiatives combined with strong park visitation. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the number of passengers increased across all attractions. Growth in passengers was especially strong at the Glacier Skywalk attraction as a result of management’s decision to introduce a combination ticket that included both the Glacier Skywalk and the adjacent Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure. Additionally, despite the Banff Gondola being partially closed for renovations during most of 2016, it showed strong demand with a 3.8% increase in the number of passengers during 2016 as compared to 2015. Excluding the Banff Gondola passengers, total attraction passengers would have increased 15.1% in 2016.

Revenue per passenger remained flat during 2016 primarily due to lower revenue from ancillary food and beverage and retail services at the Banff Gondola due to its partial closure and the greater proportion of total passengers coming from the lower-priced Glacier Skywalk.  

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Corporate Activities

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015		Percentage Change 2017 vs. 2016			Percentage Change 2016 vs. 2015
Corporate activities	$	12,877	$	10,322	$	9,720		24.8	%		6.2	%

The increase in corporate activities during 2017, as compared to 2016, was primarily due to an increase in performance-based compensation expense driven by our common stock price appreciation relative to December 31, 2016. The increase in corporate activities during 2016, as compared to 2015, was primarily due to an increase in performance-based compensation expense, offset in part by costs related to a shareholder nomination and settlement agreement during 2015 and lower acquisition transaction-related costs in 2016.

Interest Expense

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015		Percentage Change 2017 vs. 2016			Percentage Change 2016 vs. 2015
Interest expense	$	8,304	$	5,898	$	4,535		40.8	%		30.1	%

The increase in interest expense during 2017, as compared to 2016, and during 2016, as compared to 2015, was primarily due to higher debt balances resulting from acquisitions completed during 2016 and 2017.

Restructuring Charges

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015		Percentage Change 2017 vs. 2016			Percentage Change 2016 vs. 2015
Restructuring charges	$	1,004	$	5,183	$	2,956		(80.6	)%		75.3	%

Restructuring charges during 2017, 2016 and 2015 were primarily related to the elimination of certain positions and facility consolidations in GES, as well as the elimination of certain positions at our corporate office and at Pursuit.

Impairment Charges (Recoveries)

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016		2015		Percentage Change 2017 vs. 2016	Percentage Change 2016 vs. 2015
Impairment charges (recoveries), net	$	(29,098	)	$	218	$	96	**	**

** Change is greater than +/- 100%.

On December 29, 2016, the Mount Royal Hotel was damaged by a fire and closed. During July 2017, we resolved our property and business interruption insurance claims related to the fire for a total of $36.3 million.  We allocated $2.2 million to an insurance receivable, $29.3 million was recorded as an impairment recovery (partially offset by impairment charges of $0.2 million) related to construction costs to re-open the hotel, $2.5 million was recorded as a business interruption gain for the recovery of lost profits, $1.3 million was recorded as contra-expense to offset non-capitalizable costs we incurred, and the remaining $1.0 million was recorded as deferred income that will be recognized over the periods the business interruption losses are actually incurred.

Income Taxes

Excluding the impact of a $16.1 million net charge related to the Tax Act, income taxes went from an effective tax rate of 33% for the year ended December 31, 2016 to an effective rate of 28% for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease was primarily due to higher foreign income taxed at lower rates, the release of a valuation allowance related to foreign net operating losses, and the adoption of new accounting guidance, effective in the first quarter of 2017, which requires the excess tax benefit on share-based compensation to be recorded to income tax expense rather than equity. The 2016 effective tax rate of 33% increased from 28% in 2015 primarily due to a non-cash tax benefit of $1.6 million recorded in 2015 related to deferred taxes associated with certain foreign intangible assets.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents were $53.7 million as of December 31, 2017, as compared to $20.9 million as of December 31, 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we generated net cash flow from operating activities of $112.2 million. We believe that our existing sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund operations and capital commitments for at least the next 12 months.

As of December 31, 2017, approximately $52.0 million of our cash and cash equivalents was held outside of the United States, consisting of $22.6 million in Canada, $8.3 million in the Netherlands, $7.0 million in the United Kingdom, and $4.5 million in certain other countries. In addition, there is $9.6 million in Iceland related to our investment in Esja, which will be used to develop the FlyOver Iceland attraction. With the enactment of the Tax Act on December 22, 2017, we recognized the taxes on the deemed repatriation of all earnings outside of the U.S. as of December 31, 2017. All earnings have been deemed permanently reinvested by management.  As of December 31, 2017, the incremental tax associated with these earnings, if the cash balances were repatriated to the United States, would be zero.

Cash Flows

Operating Activities

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Net income	$	58,184		$	42,795		$	27,048
Depreciation and amortization		55,114			42,743			35,231
Deferred income taxes		26,049			7,672			469
Loss from discontinued operations		268			684			394
Impairment charges (recoveries)		(29,098	)		218			96
Other non-cash items		18,422			19,239			11,090
Changes in assets and liabilities		(16,716	)		(13,033	)		(14,051	)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	112,223		$	100,318		$	60,277

2017 compared with 2016

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $11.9 million primarily from results of operations.

2016 compared with 2015

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $40.0 million, primarily from results of operations.

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Investing Activities

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Capital expenditures	$	(56,621	)	$	(49,815	)	$	(29,839	)
Proceeds from insurance		31,570			—			—
Cash paid for acquired businesses, net		(1,501	)		(195,989	)		(430	)
Proceeds from dispositions of property and other assets		947			1,166			1,542
Net cash used in investing activities	$	(25,605	)	$	(244,638	)	$	(28,727	)

2017 compared with 2016

Net cash used in investing activities decreased $219.0 million, primarily due to cash payments, net of cash acquired, in 2016 of $196.0 million for the ON Services, FlyOver Canada, CATC, and Maligne Lake Tours acquisitions, and the Mount Royal Hotel fire-related insurance proceeds received in 2017, offset in part by an increase in capital expenditures.

2016 compared with 2015

Net cash used in investing activities increased $215.9 million, primarily due to cash payments, net of cash acquired, of $196.0 million for the 2016 acquisitions of ON Services, FlyOver Canada, CATC, and Maligne Lake Tours, and an increase in capital expenditures, primarily due to the Banff Gondola renovations.

Financing Activities

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Proceeds from borrowings	$	90,004		$	229,701		$	50,000
Payments on debt and capital lease obligations		(135,801	)		(108,915	)		(62,969	)
Dividends paid on common stock		(8,160	)		(8,111	)		(8,036	)
Debt issuance costs		(5	)		(336	)		—
Common stock purchased for treasury		(2,119	)		(722	)		(4,816	)
Acquisition of business - deferred consideration		—			(130	)		(896	)
Other		—			95			1,459
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	$	(56,081	)	$	111,582		$	(25,258	)

2017 compared with 2016

The change in net cash provided by (used in) financing activities was primarily due to net debt payments of $45.8 million during 2017 compared to net debt proceeds of $120.8 million during 2016 related to the ON Services, CATC, and FlyOver Canada acquisitions completed in 2016 and an increase in cash used for common stock repurchases of $1.4 million.

2016 compared with 2015

The change in net cash provided by (used in) financing activities was primarily due to net debt proceeds of $120.8 million during 2016 related to the ON Services, CATC, and FlyOver Canada acquisitions and a decrease in cash used for common stock repurchases of $4.1 million.

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

Refer to Note 11 – Debt and Capital Lease Obligations of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for further discussion.

Guarantees

Refer to Note 11 – Debt and Capital Lease Obligations of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for further discussion.

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Share Repurchases

Our Board of Directors has authorized us to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices. No shares were repurchased on the open market during 2017 or 2016. During 2015, we repurchased 141,462 shares on the open market for $3.8 million. As of December 31, 2017, 440,540 shares remained available for repurchase. The Board of Director’s authorization does not have an expiration date. We repurchased 41,532 shares for $2.1 million in 2017, 25,432 shares for $0.7 million during 2016, and 35,649 shares for $1.0 million in 2015 related to tax withholding requirements on vested share-based awards.

Contractual Obligations

The following table presents our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017.

			Payments due by period
(in thousands)	Total		2018		2019-2020		2021-2022		Thereafter
Revolver and term loan borrowings	$	207,322	$	151,072	$	56,250	$	—	$	—
Operating leases		156,569		23,503		37,564		14,367		81,135
Pension and postretirement benefits (1)		33,666		3,945		6,763		6,721		16,237
Purchase obligations (2)		38,128		23,660		8,813		5,655		—
Capital lease obligations		2,854		1,527		1,311		16		—
Total contractual obligations (3)	$	438,539	$	203,707	$	110,701	$	26,759	$	97,372

⁽¹⁾ Estimated contributions related to multi-employer benefit plans are excluded from the table above. Refer to Note 17 – Pension and Postretirement Benefits of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for further information.

⁽²⁾ Purchase obligations primarily represent payments due under various licensing agreements and commitments related to consulting and other contracted services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms, including open purchase orders.

⁽³⁾ Aggregate self-insurance liabilities are excluded from the table above as the timing and amounts of future cash outflows are uncertain. Redeemable noncontrolling interest is also excluded from the above table as the redemption value of the put option and the timing and amounts of future cash outflows is uncertain. Refer to Note 9 – Other Current Liabilities, Note 10 – Other Deferred Items and Liabilities, and Note 21 – Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for further information.

We are plaintiffs or defendants to various actions, proceedings, and pending claims, some of which involve, or may involve, compensatory, punitive, or other damages. Additionally, our business contributes to various multi-employer pension plans based on obligations arising under collective-bargaining agreements covering our union-represented employees. Refer to Note 20 – Litigation, Claims, Contingencies, and Other of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for further information.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements with unconsolidated special-purpose or other entities that would materially affect our financial position, results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources. Furthermore, we do not have any relationships with special-purpose or other entities that provide off-balance sheet financing; liquidity, market risk, or credit risk support; or engage in leasing or other services that may expose us to liability or risks of loss that are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements and related notes. Refer to Note 11 – Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Note 19 – Leases and Other, and Note 20 – Litigation, Claims, Contingencies, and Other of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for further information.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect our reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. Critical accounting policies are those policies that are most important to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations, and that require us to make the most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. We identified and discussed with our audit committee the following critical accounting policies and estimates and the methodology and disclosures related to those estimates:

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets— Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives and are reviewed for impairment if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the intangible asset’s carrying value may not be recoverable.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis as of October 31, and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. Our reporting units are defined, and goodwill is tested, at either an operating segment level or at the component level of an operating segment, depending on various factors including the internal reporting structure of the operating segment, the level of integration among components, the sharing of assets and other resources among components, and the benefits and likely recoverability of goodwill by the component’s operations.

GES U.S. goodwill is assigned to, and tested at, the operating segment level (all GES domestic operations). GES International goodwill is assigned to and tested based on the segment’s geographical operations (GES Europe, Middle East, and Asia (“GES EMEA”) and GES Canada). Pursuit impairment testing is performed at the reporting unit level (Banff Jasper Collection, the Alaska Collection, the Glacier Park Collection, and FlyOver).

For purposes of goodwill impairment testing, we use a discounted expected future cash flow methodology (income approach) to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. The estimates and assumptions regarding expected future cash flows, discount rates, and terminal values require considerable judgment and are based on market conditions, financial forecasts, industry trends, and historical experience.

The most critical assumptions and estimates in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting units relate to the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows for each reporting unit and the reporting unit cost of capital (discount rate) applied to those cash flows. We estimate the assumed reporting unit cost of capital rates (discount rates) using a build-up method based on the perceived risk associated with the cash flows pertaining to the specific reporting unit. In order to assess the reasonableness of our fair value estimates, we perform a reconciliation of the aggregate fair values of our reporting units to our market capitalization.

As noted above, the estimates and assumptions regarding expected future cash flows, discount rates, and terminal values require considerable judgment and are based on market conditions, financial forecasts, industry trends, and historical experience. These estimates have inherent uncertainties, and different assumptions could lead to materially different results. As of December 31, 2017, our aggregate goodwill was $270.6 million. As a result of our most recent impairment analysis performed as of October 31, 2017, the excess of the estimated fair value over the carrying value for each of our reporting units (expressed as a percentage of the carrying amounts) under step one of the impairment test for GES U.S. was 134%, GES EMEA was 214%, GES Canada was 164%, Banff Jasper Collection was 147%, the Alaska Collection was 99%, the Glacier Park Collection was 16%, and FlyOver was 29%. Significant reductions in our expected future revenue, operating income, or cash flow forecasts and projections, or an increase in a reporting unit’s cost of capital, could trigger additional goodwill impairment testing, which may result in impairment charges.

If an impairment indicator related to intangible assets is identified, or if other circumstances indicate an impairment may exist, we perform an assessment to determine if an impairment loss should be recognized. This assessment includes a recoverability test to identify if the expected future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the related assets. If the results of the recoverability test indicate that expected future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the related assets, we perform a measurement of impairment and we recognize any carrying amount in excess of fair value as an impairment. We periodically evaluate the continued recoverability of intangible assets which were previously evaluated due to an impairment indicator to determine if remeasurement is necessary.  

Income taxes — We are required to estimate and record provisions for income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. Accordingly, we must estimate our actual current income tax liability, and assess temporary differences arising from the treatment of items for tax purposes, as compared to the treatment for accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities which are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We use significant judgment in forming conclusions regarding the recoverability of our deferred tax assets and evaluate all available positive and negative evidence to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. To the extent recovery does not appear likely, a valuation allowance must be recorded. We had gross deferred tax assets of $38.1 million as of December 31, 2017 and $58.3 million as of December 31, 2016, which includes the remeasurement due to the reduction in the U.S. tax rate from 35% to 21% resulting in an $8.0 million reduction in the 2017 gross deferred tax assets. These deferred tax assets reflect the expected future tax benefits to be realized upon reversal of deductible temporary differences, and the utilization of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.

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While we believe that the deferred tax assets, net of existing valuation allowances, will be utilized in future periods, there are inherent uncertainties regarding the ultimate realization of these assets. It is possible that the relative weight of positive and negative evidence regarding the realization of deferred tax assets may change, which could result in a material increase or decrease in our valuation allowance. Such a change could result in a material increase or decrease to income tax expense in the period the assessment was made.

Due to the enactment of the Tax Act and the transition to a territorial tax system, we recognized $6.9 million of current federal tax expense and $1.2 million of current state tax expense for the mandatory deemed repatriation of our estimated unremitted earnings as of December 31, 2017. With the transition to a territorial tax system, future dividends will be fully deductible for federal tax purposes, however they may be taxable at the state level. We have not recorded deferred taxes on the incremental additional state taxes or withholding taxes on dividends from our foreign subsidiaries as we intend to reinvest those earnings in our foreign operations.

We record uncertain tax positions on the basis of a two-step process: first we determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position; and if so, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.

Pension and postretirement benefits — Our pension plans use traditional defined benefit formulas based on years of service and final average compensation. Funding policies provide that payments to defined benefit pension trusts shall be at least equal to the minimum funding required by applicable regulations. We presently anticipate contributing $1.1 million to our funded pension plans and $1.0 million to our unfunded pension plans in 2018.

We have defined benefit postretirement plans that provide medical and life insurance for certain eligible employees, retirees, and dependents. The related postretirement benefit liabilities are recognized over the employees’ service period. In addition, we retain the obligations for these benefits for retirees of certain sold businesses. While the plans have no funding requirements, we expect to contribute $1.1 million to the plans in 2018.

The discount rates used in determining future pension and postretirement benefit obligations are based on rates determined by actuarial analysis and management review, and reflect the estimated rates of return on a high-quality, hypothetical bond portfolio whose cash flows match the timing and amounts of expected benefit payments. Refer to Note 17 – Pension and Postretirement Benefits of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for further information.

Share-based compensation — We grant share-based compensation awards to our officers, directors, and certain key employees pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan, which has a 10-year life and provides for the following types of awards: (a) incentive and non-qualified stock options; (b) restricted stock and restricted stock units; (c) performance units or performance shares; (d) stock appreciation rights; (e) cash-based awards; and (f) certain other stock-based awards.

Share-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated financial statements was $11.0 million in 2017, $8.0 million in 2016, and $3.8 million in 2015, and the total tax benefits related to such costs were $4.1 million in 2017, $3.0 million in 2016, and $1.5 million in 2016. No share-based compensation costs were capitalized during 2017, 2016, or 2015.

The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on our stock price on the date of grant. Liability-based awards are recorded at estimated fair value, based on the number of units expected to vest and the level of achievement of predefined performance goals, where applicable, and are remeasured on each balance sheet date based on our stock price, and the Monte Carlo simulation model, until the time of settlement. The Monte Carlo simulation requires the use of a number of assumptions, including historical volatility and correlation of the price of our stock and the price of the common shares of a comparator group, a risk-free rate of return, and an expected term. Equity-based awards (including performance units) are recorded at estimated fair value, based on the number of units expected to vest and the level of achievement of predefined performance goals, until the time of settlement. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model and key assumptions to determine the fair value of each stock option grant. These assumptions include our expected stock price volatility, the expected period of time the stock option will remain outstanding of which stock options have a ten-year life, the expected dividend yield on our common stock, and the risk-free interest rate. While we have not granted stock options since 2010, changes in the assumptions of any future grants could result in different estimates of the fair value of stock option grants, and consequently impact our future results of operations. Refer to Note 2 – Share-Based Compensation of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for further information.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 1 – Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for further information.

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Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to disclosing financial results that are determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we also disclose non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted EBITDA, Segment operating income,  organic revenue, and organic segment operating income (collectively, the “Non-GAAP Measures”). The presentation of the Non-GAAP Measures is supplemental to, but not as a substitute for, other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. As not all companies use identical calculations, the Non-GAAP Measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. We believe the presentation of the Non-GAAP Measures provides useful information to investors regarding our results of operations for trending, analyzing, and benchmarking the performance and value of our business.

• “Adjusted EBITDA” is net income attributable to Viad before our portion of interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment charges and recoveries, changes in accounting principles, and the effects of discontinued operations. Adjusted EBITDA is used to measure the profit and performance of our operations and to facilitate period-to-period comparisons. Refer to the table below for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

• “Segment operating income” is net income attributable to Viad before income (loss) from discontinued operations, corporate activities, interest expense and interest income, income taxes, restructuring charges, impairment losses and recoveries, and the reduction for income attributable to noncontrolling interest. Segment operating income is used to measure the profit and performance of our operating segments to facilitate period-to-period comparisons.

• “Organic revenue” and “organic segment operating income” are revenue and segment operating income (as defined above), respectively, without the impact of exchange rate variances and acquisitions, if any, until such acquisitions are included in the entirety of both comparable periods. The impact of exchange rate variances is calculated as the difference between current period activity translated at the current period’s exchange rates and the comparable prior period’s exchange rates. We believe that the presentation of “organic” results permits investors to better understand our performance without the effects of exchange rate variances or acquisitions and to facilitate period-to-period comparisons and analysis of our operating performance. Refer to the “Results of Operations” section of this MD&A for reconciliations of organic revenue and organic segment operating income to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

The Non-GAAP Measures are considered useful operating metrics as potential variations arising from taxes, depreciation and amortization, debt service costs, impairment charges and recoveries, changes in accounting principles, and the effects of discontinued operations are eliminated, thus resulting in additional measures considered to be indicative of our ongoing operations and segment performance. Although the Non-GAAP Measures are used as financial measures to assess the performance of the business, the use of these measures is limited because these measures do not consider material costs, expenses, and other items necessary to operate our business. These items include debt service costs, non-cash depreciation and amortization expense associated with long-lived assets, expenses related to U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income taxes, impairment charges or recoveries, and the effects of accounting changes and discontinued operations. Since the Non-GAAP Measures do not consider the above items, a user of our financial information should consider net income attributable to Viad as an important measure of financial performance because it provides a more complete measure of our performance.

A reconciliation of net income attributable to Viad to Adjusted EBITDA is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Net income attributable to Viad	$	57,707		$	42,269		$	26,606
Depreciation and amortization		55,114			42,743			35,231
Interest expense		8,304			5,898			4,535
Income tax expense		45,898			21,250			10,493
Impairment charges (recoveries)		(29,098	)		218			96
Loss from discontinued operations		268			684			394
Other noncontrolling interest		(643	)		(634	)		(554	)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	137,550		$	112,428		$	76,801

The increase in Adjusted EBITDA during 2017 was primarily due to higher segment operating income at Pursuit and a decrease in restructuring charges. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA in 2016 was primarily due to higher segment operating income at GES and Pursuit. Refer to the “Results of Operations” section of this MD&A for a discussion of fluctuations.

40

Forward-Looking Non-GAAP Financial Measure

We also provide segment operating income as a forward-looking Non-GAAP Measure within the “Results of Operations” section of this MD&A. We do not provide a reconciliation of this forward-looking Non-GAAP Measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure because, due to variability and difficulty in making accurate forecasts and projections and/or certain information not being ascertainable or accessible, not all of the information necessary for a quantitative reconciliation of this forward-looking Non-GAAP Measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is available without unreasonable efforts. Consequently, any attempt to disclose such reconciliation would imply a degree of precision that investors could find confusing or misleading. It is probable that this forward-looking Non-GAAP Measure may be materially different from the corresponding GAAP Measure.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our market risk exposure relates to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, interest rates, and certain commodity prices. Foreign exchange risk is the risk that fluctuating exchange rates will adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations. Interest rate risk is the risk that changing interest rates will adversely affect our earnings or financial position. Commodity risk is the risk that changing prices will adversely affect our results of operations.

Our foreign operations are primarily in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and to a lesser extent, in certain other countries. The functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries is their local currency. Accordingly, for purposes of consolidation, we translate the assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars at the foreign exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. The unrealized gains or losses resulting from the translation of these foreign denominated assets and liabilities are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As a result, significant fluctuations in foreign exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar may result in material changes to our net equity position reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We do not currently hedge our equity risk arising from the translation of foreign denominated assets and liabilities. We recorded cumulative unrealized foreign currency translation losses in stockholders’ equity of $12.0 million as of December 31, 2017 and $29.1 million as of December 31, 2016. We recorded unrealized foreign currency translation gains in other comprehensive income of $17.1 million during of the year ended December 31, 2017 and foreign currency translation losses of $5.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2016.

For purposes of consolidation, revenue, expenses, gains, and losses related to our foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average foreign exchange rates for the period. As a result, our consolidated results of operations are exposed to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates as revenue and segment operating results of our foreign operations, when translated, may vary from period to period, even when the functional currency amounts have not changed. Such fluctuations may adversely impact overall expected profitability and historical period-to-period comparisons. We do not currently hedge our net earnings exposure arising from the translation of our foreign revenue and segment operating results. Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (Part II, Item 7 of this 2017 Form 10-K) for a discussion on the “Foreign Exchange Rate Variances”.

A hypothetical change of 10% in the Canadian dollar exchange rate would result in a change to 2017 operating income of approximately $4.6 million. A hypothetical change of 10% in the British pound exchange rate would result in a change to 2017 operating income of approximately $0.4 million. A hypothetical change of 10% in the Euro exchange rate would result in a change to 2017 operating income of approximately $0.5 million.

We are exposed to foreign exchange transaction risk, as our foreign subsidiaries have certain revenue transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective subsidiary. From time to time, we utilize forward contracts to mitigate the impact on earnings related to these transactions due to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we did not have any foreign currency forward contracts outstanding.

We are exposed to short-term and long-term interest rate risk on certain of our debt obligations. We do not currently use derivative financial instruments to hedge cash flows for such obligations.

41

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	Page
Consolidated Balance Sheets	43
Consolidated Statements of Operations	44
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	45
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity	46
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	47
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	48
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	84
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	95

42

VIAD CORP

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	December 31,
(in thousands, except share data)	2017			2016
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	53,723		$	20,900
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $2,023 and $1,342,    respectively		104,811			104,648
Inventories		30,372			31,420
Other current assets		21,030			18,449
Total current assets		209,936			175,417
Property and equipment, net		305,571			279,858
Other investments and assets		47,512			44,297
Deferred income taxes		23,548			42,549
Goodwill		270,551			254,022
Other intangible assets, net		62,781			73,673
Total Assets	$	919,899		$	869,816
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	77,380		$	67,596
Customer deposits		33,415			42,723
Accrued compensation		30,614			29,913
Other current liabilities		38,720			30,390
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations		152,599			174,968
Total current liabilities		332,728			345,590
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations		56,593			74,243
Pension and postretirement benefits		28,135			28,611
Other deferred items and liabilities		52,858			50,734
Total liabilities		470,314			499,178
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest		6,648			—
Stockholders’ equity
Viad Corp stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $1.50 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 24,934,981 shares    issued and outstanding		37,402			37,402
Additional capital		574,458			573,841
Retained earnings		65,836			16,291
Unearned employee benefits and other		218			172
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(22,568	)		(39,391	)
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 4,518,099 and 4,613,520 shares, respectively		(226,215	)		(230,960	)
Total Viad stockholders’ equity		429,131			357,355
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interest		13,806			13,283
Total stockholders’ equity		442,937			370,638
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	919,899		$	869,816

Refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

43

VIAD CORP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2017			2016			2015
Revenue:
Exhibition and event services	$	967,352		$	881,137		$	799,752
Exhibits and environments		165,745			170,469			177,126
Pursuit services		173,868			153,364			112,170
Total revenue		1,306,965			1,204,970			1,089,048
Costs and expenses:
Costs of services		1,050,547			954,667			868,369
Costs of products sold		161,992			165,118			166,095
Business interruption gain		(2,692	)		—			—
Corporate activities		12,877			10,322			9,720
Interest income		(319	)		(1,165	)		(658	)
Interest expense		8,304			5,898			4,535
Restructuring charges		1,004			5,183			2,956
Impairment charges (recoveries), net		(29,098	)		218			96
Total costs and expenses		1,202,615			1,140,241			1,051,113
Income from continuing operations before income taxes		104,350			64,729			37,935
Income tax expense		45,898			21,250			10,493
Income from continuing operations		58,452			43,479			27,442
Loss from discontinued operations		(268	)		(684	)		(394	)
Net income		58,184			42,795			27,048
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interest		(523	)		(526	)		(442	)
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		46			—			—
Net income attributable to Viad	$	57,707		$	42,269		$	26,606
Diluted income (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	2.84		$	2.12		$	1.34
Discontinued operations attributable to Viad common stockholders		(0.01	)		(0.03	)		(0.02	)
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	2.83		$	2.09		$	1.32
Weighted-average outstanding and potentially dilutive common    shares		20,405			20,177			19,981
Basic income (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	2.84		$	2.12		$	1.34
Discontinued operations attributable to Viad common stockholders		(0.01	)		(0.03	)		(0.02	)
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	2.83		$	2.09		$	1.32
Weighted-average outstanding common shares		20,146			19,990			19,797
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.40		$	0.40		$	0.40
Amounts attributable to Viad common stockholders
Income from continuing operations	$	57,975		$	42,953		$	27,000
Loss from discontinued operations		(268	)		(684	)		(394	)
Net income	$	57,707		$	42,269		$	26,606

Refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

44

VIAD CORP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Net income	$	58,184		$	42,795		$	27,048
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax effects of $121, $47, and $(78)		195			75			(125	)
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax		17,058			(5,827	)		(35,673	)
Change in net actuarial gain (loss), net of tax effects of $163, $617, and $653		344			894			2,556
Change in prior service cost, net of tax effects of $(473), $(219), and $(210)		(774	)		(357	)		(345	)
Comprehensive income (loss)		75,007			37,580			(6,539	)
Comprehensive income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interest		(523	)		(526	)		(442	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		46			—			—
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Viad	$	74,530		$	37,054		$	(6,981	)

Refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

45

VIAD CORP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands)	Common Stock		Additional Capital			Retained Earnings (Deficit)			Unearned Employee Benefits andOther		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Common Stock in Treasury			Total Viad Equity			Non-Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest		Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balance, December 31, 2014	$	37,402	$	582,066		$	(36,427	)	$	23	$	(589	)	$	(247,088	)	$	335,387		$	12,315	$	347,702
Net income		—		—			26,606			—		—			—			26,606			442		27,048
Dividends on common stock ($0.40 per share)		—		—			(8,036	)		—		—			—			(8,036	)		—		(8,036	)
Common stock purchased for treasury		—		—			—			—		—			(4,816	)		(4,816	)		—		(4,816	)
Employee benefit plans		—		(7,957	)		—			—		—			12,493			4,536			—		4,536
Share-based compensation—equity awards		—		2,156			—			—		—			—			2,156			—		2,156
Tax expense from share-based compensation		—		360			—			—		—			—			360			—		360
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment		—		—			—			—		(35,673	)		—			(35,673	)		—		(35,673	)
Unrealized loss on investments		—		—			—			—		(125	)		—			(125	)		—		(125	)
Amortization of net actuarial gain		—		—			—			—		2,556			—			2,556			—		2,556
Amortization of prior service cost		—		—			—			—		(345	)		—			(345	)		—		(345	)
Other, net		—		(102	)		(9	)		86		—			—			(25	)		—		(25	)
Balance, December 31, 2015		37,402		576,523			(17,866	)		109		(34,176	)		(239,411	)		322,581			12,757		335,338
Net income		—		—			42,269			—		—			—			42,269			526		42,795
Dividends on common stock ($0.40 per share)		—		—			(8,111	)		—		—			—			(8,111	)		—		(8,111	)
Common stock purchased for treasury		—		—			—			—		—			(722	)		(722	)		—		(722	)
Employee benefit plans		—		(5,251	)		—			—		—			9,172			3,921			—		3,921
Share-based compensation—equity awards		—		2,525			—			—		—			—			2,525			—		2,525
Tax expense from share-based compensation		—		95			—			—		—			—			95			—		95
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment		—		—			—			—		(5,827	)		—			(5,827	)		—		(5,827	)
Unrealized gain on investments		—		—			—			—		75			—			75			—		75
Amortization of net actuarial gain		—		—			—			—		894			—			894			—		894
Amortization of prior service cost		—		—			—			—		(357	)		—			(357	)		—		(357	)
Other, net		—		(51	)		(1	)		63		—			1			12			—		12
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	37,402	$	573,841		$	16,291		$	172	$	(39,391	)	$	(230,960	)	$	357,355		$	13,283	$	370,638
Net income		—		—			57,707			—		—			—			57,707			523		58,230
Dividends on common stock ($0.40 per share)		—		—			(8,160	)		—		—			—			(8,160	)		—		(8,160	)
Common stock purchased for treasury		—		—			—			—		—			(2,119	)		(2,119	)		—		(2,119	)
Employee benefit plans		—		(2,687	)		—			—		—			6,864			4,177			—		4,177
Share-based compensation—equity awards		—		3,623			—			—		—			—			3,623			—		3,623
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment		—		—			—			—		17,058			—			17,058			—		17,058
Unrealized gain on investments		—		—			—			—		195			—			195			—		195
Amortization of net actuarial loss		—		—			—			—		344			—			344			—		344
Amortization of prior service cost		—		—			—			—		(774	)		—			(774	)		—		(774	)
Other, net		—		(319	)		(2	)		46		—			—			(275	)		—		(275	)
Balance, December 31, 2017	$	37,402	$	574,458		$	65,836		$	218	$	(22,568	)	$	(226,215	)	$	429,131		$	13,806	$	442,937

Refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

46

VIAD CORP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	58,184		$	42,795		$	27,048
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		55,114			42,743			35,231
Deferred income taxes		26,049			7,672			469
Loss from discontinued operations		268			684			394
Restructuring charges		1,004			5,183			2,956
Impairment charges (recoveries)		(29,098	)		218			96
(Gains) losses on dispositions of property and other assets		1,420			(54	)		(690	)
Share-based compensation expense		10,969			8,038			3,848
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation arrangements		—			(95	)		(418	)
Other non-cash items, net		5,029			6,167			5,394
Change in operating assets and liabilities (excluding the impact of acquisitions):
Receivables		(2,338	)		(9,358	)		(16,665	)
Inventories		2,505			(2,646	)		4,872
Accounts payable		7,546			1,770			(2,619	)
Restructuring liabilities		(1,954	)		(3,866	)		(2,572	)
Accrued compensation		(5,152	)		(353	)		1,469
Customer deposits		(10,572	)		8,429			408
Income taxes payable		5,820			(4,630	)		67
Other assets and liabilities, net		(12,571	)		(2,379	)		989
Net cash provided by operating activities		112,223			100,318			60,277
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures		(56,621	)		(49,815	)		(29,839	)
Proceeds from insurance		31,570			—			—
Cash paid for acquired businesses, net		(1,501	)		(195,989	)		(430	)
Proceeds from dispositions of property and other assets		947			1,166			1,542
Net cash used in investing activities		(25,605	)		(244,638	)		(28,727	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings		90,004			229,701			50,000
Payments on debt and capital lease obligations		(135,801	)		(108,915	)		(62,969	)
Dividends paid on common stock		(8,160	)		(8,111	)		(8,036	)
Debt issuance costs		(5	)		(336	)		—
Common stock purchased for treasury		(2,119	)		(722	)		(4,816	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation arrangements		—			95			418
Acquisition of business - deferred consideration		—			(130	)		(896	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		—			—			1,041
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(56,081	)		111,582			(25,258	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		2,286			(2,893	)		(6,751	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		32,823			(35,631	)		(459	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year		20,900			56,531			56,990
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	53,723		$	20,900		$	56,531

Refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

47

VIAD CORP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Viad have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of Viad and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Nature of Business

We are an international experiential services company with operations principally in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, continental Europe, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong. We are committed to providing unforgettable experiences to our clients and guests. We operate through three reportable business segments: GES U.S., GES International, (collectively, “GES”), and Pursuit.

GES

GES is a global, full-service provider for live events that produces exhibitions, conferences, corporate events, and consumer events. GES offers a comprehensive range of live event services and a full suite of audio-visual services from creative and technology to content and design, along with online tools powered by next generation technologies that help clients easily manage the complexities of their events.

GES’ clients include event organizers and corporate brand marketers. Event organizers schedule and run the event from start to finish. Corporate brand marketers include exhibitors and domestic and international corporations that want to promote their brands, services and innovations, feature new products, and build business relationships. GES serves corporate brand marketers when they exhibit at shows and when GES is engaged to manage their global exhibit program or produce their proprietary corporate events.

Pursuit

Pursuit is a collection of iconic natural and cultural destination travel experiences that enjoy perennial demand. Pursuit is comprised of four lines of business: Hospitality, Attractions, Transportation, and Travel Planning. These four lines of business work together, driving economies of scope and meaningful scale in and around the iconic destinations of Banff, Jasper, and Waterton Lakes National Parks and Vancouver in Canada, and Glacier, Denali, and Kenai Fjords National Parks in the United States. Pursuit is comprised of Brewster Travel Canada, which is marketed as the Banff Jasper Collection; the Alaska Collection; Glacier Park, Inc., which is marketed as the Glacier Park Collection, and FlyOver.

Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported period. Estimates and assumptions are used in accounting for, among other things, the fair value of our reporting units used to perform annual impairment testing of recorded goodwill; allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable; provisions for income taxes, including uncertain tax positions; valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets; liabilities for losses related to self-insured liability claims; liabilities for losses related to environmental remediation obligations; sublease income associated with restructuring liabilities; assumptions used to measure pension and postretirement benefit costs and obligations; assumptions used to determine share-based compensation costs under the fair value method; assumptions in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests; and allocation of purchase price of acquired businesses. Actual results could differ from these and other estimates.

48

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are highly-liquid investments with remaining maturities when purchased of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and bank demand deposits and money market mutual funds. Investments in money market mutual funds are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

Allowances for doubtful accounts reflect the best estimate of probable losses inherent in the accounts receivable balance. The allowances for doubtful accounts, including a sales allowance for discounts at the time of sale, are based upon an evaluation of the aging of receivables, historical trends, and the current economic environment.

Inventories

Inventories, which consist primarily of exhibit design and construction materials and supplies, as well as deferred show costs, including labor, show purchases, and commissions used in providing convention show services, are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out and specific identification methods) or net realizable value.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Property and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets: buildings, 15 to 40 years; equipment, 3 to 12 years; and leasehold improvements, over the shorter of the lease term or useful life. Property and equipment are tested for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the long-lived asset may not be recoverable through undiscounted cash flows.

Capitalized Software

Certain internal and external costs incurred in developing or obtaining internal use software are capitalized. Capitalized costs principally relate to costs incurred to purchase software from third parties, external direct costs of materials and services, and certain payroll-related costs for employees directly associated with software projects once application development begins. Costs associated with preliminary project activities, training, and other post-implementation activities are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the software, ranging from three to ten years. These costs are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the caption “Property and equipment, net.”

Goodwill

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis as of October 31, and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. We use a discounted expected future cash flow methodology (income approach) in order to estimate the fair value of our reporting units for purposes of goodwill impairment testing. The estimates and assumptions regarding expected future cash flows, discount rates, and terminal values require considerable judgment and are based on market conditions, financial forecasts, industry trends, and historical experience. These estimates, however, have inherent uncertainties and different assumptions could lead to materially different results.

Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance

We have Company-owned life insurance contracts which are intended to fund the cost of certain employee compensation and benefit programs. These contracts are carried at cash surrender value, net of outstanding policy loans. The cash surrender value represents the amount of cash we could receive if the policies were discontinued before maturity. The changes in the cash surrender value of the policies, net of insurance premiums, are included as a component of “Costs of Services” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Self-Insurance Liabilities

We are self-insured up to certain limits for workers’ compensation, automobile, product and general liability, property loss, and medical claims. We retained certain liabilities related to workers’ compensation and general liability insurance claims in conjunction with previously sold operations. Provisions for losses for claims incurred, including estimated claims incurred but not yet reported, are made based on historical experience, claims frequency, insurance coverage, and other factors. We purchased insurance for amounts in excess of the self-insured levels.

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Environmental Remediation Liabilities

Environmental remediation liabilities represent the estimated cost of environmental remediation obligations primarily associated with previously sold operations. The amounts accrued primarily consist of the estimated direct incremental costs, on an undiscounted basis, for contractor and other services related to remedial actions and post-remediation site monitoring. Environmental remediation liabilities are recorded when the specific obligation is considered probable and the costs are reasonably estimable. Subsequent recoveries from third parties, if any, are recorded through discontinued operations when realized. Environmental insurance is maintained that provides coverage for new and undiscovered pre-existing conditions at both our continuing and discontinued operations.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. Refer to Note 11 – Debt and Capital Lease Obligations for the estimated fair value of debt obligations.

Non-redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

Non-redeemable noncontrolling interest represents the portion of equity in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to us. Our non-redeemable noncontrolling interest relates to the equity ownership that we do not own in Glacier Park, Inc. of 20%. We report non-redeemable noncontrolling interest within stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of consolidated net income attributable to Viad and the non-redeemable noncontrolling interest is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  

Noncontrolling interests with redemption features that are not solely within our control are considered redeemable noncontrolling interests. The Esja purchase agreement contains a put option that gives the minority Esja shareholders the right to sell (or “put”) their Esja shares to us based on a calculated formula within a predefined term. This redeemable noncontrolling interest is considered temporary equity and we report it between liabilities and stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of the net income or loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests is recorded to retained earnings and is included in our earnings per share. Refer to Note 21 – Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest for additional information.

Foreign Currency Translation

Our foreign operations are primarily in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and to a lesser extent, in certain other countries. The functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries is their local currency. Accordingly, for purposes of consolidation, we translate the assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars at the foreign exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. The unrealized gains or losses resulting from the translation of these foreign denominated assets and liabilities are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For purposes of consolidation, revenue, expenses, gains, and losses related to our foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average foreign exchange rates for the period.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. GES derives revenue primarily by providing core services, event technology services, and audio-visual services to event organizers and exhibitors participating in live events. GES derives revenue from consumer events by charging visitors to view the touring exhibitions. Exhibition and event service’s revenue is recognized when services are completed, net of commissions. Exhibits and environments revenue is accounted for using the completed-contract method. Pursuit generates revenue through its hospitality, attractions, transportation, and travel planning services. Pursuit’s revenue is recognized at the time services are performed.

Insurance Recoveries

Receipts from insurance up to the amount of the recognized losses are considered recoveries and are accounted for when they are probable of receipt. Anticipated proceeds in excess of the recognized loss are considered a gain contingency. A contingency gain for anticipated insurance proceeds in excess of losses already recognized is not recognized until all contingencies relating to the insurance claim have been resolved.

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Insurance proceeds allocated to business interruption gains are reported as cash flows from operating activities, and proceeds allocated to impairment recoveries are reported as cash flows from investing activities. Insurance proceeds used for capitalizable costs are classified as cash flows from investing activities, and proceeds used for non-capitalizable costs are classified as operating activities.

On December 29, 2016, the Mount Royal Hotel was damaged by a fire and closed. During the fourth quarter of 2016, we recorded an asset impairment loss of $2.2 million and an offsetting impairment recovery (and related insurance receivable) as the losses related to the fire were covered by our property and business interruption insurance. During July 2017, we resolved our property and business interruption insurance claims for a total of $36.3 million. We allocated $2.2 million to an insurance receivable, $29.3 million was recorded as an impairment recovery (partially offset by impairment charges of $0.2 million) related to construction costs to re-open the hotel, $2.5 million was recorded as a business interruption gain for the recovery of lost profits, $1.3 million was recorded as contra-expense to offset non-capitalizable costs incurred, and the remaining $1.0 million was recorded as deferred revenue, which will be recognized over the periods when the business interruption losses are actually incurred.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-based compensation costs, related to all share-based payment awards, are recognized and measured using the fair value method of accounting. These awards generally include restricted stock, liability-based awards (including performance units and restricted stock units), and stock options, and contain forfeiture and non-compete provisions.

The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on our closing stock price on the date of grant. We issue restricted stock awards from shares held in treasury. Future vesting of restricted stock is generally subject to continued employment. Holders of restricted stock have the right to receive dividends and vote the shares, but may not sell, assign, transfer, pledge, or otherwise encumber the stock, except to the extent restrictions have lapsed and in accordance with our stock trading policy.

Restricted stock awards vest between three and five years from the date of grant. Share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock is recognized using the straight-line method over the requisite service period of approximately three years. For awards with a five-year vesting period, expense is recognized based on an accelerated multiple-award approach over a five-year period. For these awards, 40% of the shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant and the remaining shares vest in 30% increments over the subsequent two anniversary dates.

Liability-based awards (including performance units and restricted stock units) are recorded at estimated fair value, based on the number of units expected to vest and where applicable, the level of achievement of predefined performance goals. These awards are remeasured on each balance sheet date based on our stock price, and the Monte Carlo simulation model, until the time of settlement. A Monte Carlo simulation requires the use of a number of assumptions, including historical volatility and correlation of our stock price and the price of the common shares of a comparator group, a risk-free rate of return, and an expected term. To the extent earned, liability-based awards are settled in cash based on our stock price. Compensation expense related to liability-based awards is recognized ratably over the requisite service period of approximately three years.

Equity-based awards (including performance units) are recorded at estimated fair value, based on the number of units expected to vest and the level of achievement of predefined performance goals, until the time of settlement. To the extent earned, equity-based awards are settled in our common stock. Compensation expense related to equity-based awards is recognized ratably over the requisite service period of approximately three years.

The fair value of stock option grants is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Share-based compensation expense related to stock option awards is recognized using the straight-line method over the requisite service period of approximately five years. The exercise price of stock options is based on the market value of our common stock at the date of grant. We have not granted stock options since 2010.

Common Stock in Treasury

Common stock purchased for treasury is recorded at historical cost. Subsequent share reissuances are primarily related to share-based compensation programs and recorded at weighted-average cost.

Income Per Common Share

We apply the two-class method in calculating income per common share as unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered participating securities. Accordingly, such securities are included in the earnings allocation in calculating income per share. The adjustment to the carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest is reflected in income per common share.

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Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements:

Standard	Description	Date of adoption	Effect on the financial statements
Standards Not Yet Adopted
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)	The standard establishes a new recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. We may adopt either retrospectively to each prior period presented with the option to elect certain practical expedients or with the cumulative effect recognized at the date of initial application and providing certain disclosures. Subsequent to the issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB issued several amendments in 2016 which do not change the core principle of the guidance stated in ASU 2014-09. Rather, they are intended to clarify and improve understanding of certain topics included within the revenue standard.	January 1, 2018	We assigned internal resources and engaged a third-party service provider to assist in evaluating the impact on our accounting policies, processes, and system requirements. Based on our assessment, the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The impact primarily relates to the deferral of certain commissions which were previously expensed as incurred but will generally be capitalized and amortized over the period of contract performance, and the deferral of certain costs incurred in connection with trade shows which were previously expensed as incurred but will generally be capitalized and expensed upon the completion of the show. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2018 and will be using the modified retrospective transition method. Additionally, the new guidance requires enhanced disclosures, including revenue recognition policies to identify performance obligations to customers and significant judgments in measurement and recognition.
ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)	The amendment requires lessees to recognize on their balance sheet a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for leases with lease terms greater than one year. The amendment requires additional disclosures about leasing arrangements, and requires a modified retrospective approach to adoption. Early adoption is permitted.	January 1, 2019	We are currently evaluating the potential impact the adoption of this new guidance will have on our financial position or results of operations including analyzing our existing operating leases. Based on our current assessment, the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, however the income statement is not expected to be materially impacted. We expect the most significant impact will relate to facility and equipment leases, which are currently recorded as operating leases. We are continuing our assessment, which may identify other impacts. We will adopt the standard on January 1, 2019.
ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment	The amendment eliminates the requirement to estimate the implied fair value of goodwill if it was determined that the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeded its fair value. Goodwill impairment will now be recognized by the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The amendment should be applied prospectively and is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017.	January 1, 2020	The adoption of this new guidance is not expected to have a significant effect on our consolidated financial statements and we expect the adoption to reduce the complexity surrounding the analysis of goodwill impairment.

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Standard	Description	Date of adoption	Effect on the financial statements
Standards Recently Adopted
ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting	The amendment identifies areas for simplification involving several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, an option to recognize gross stock compensation expense with actual forfeitures recognized as they occur, as well as certain classifications on the statement of cash flows.	January 1, 2017	The adoption of this new guidance resulted in a decrease in tax expense of $1.1 million, or a 1.1% decrease in our effective tax rate, as compared to 2016.

Note 2. Share-Based Compensation

The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Performance unit incentive plan (“PUP”)	$	8,088		$	5,703		$	1,692
Restricted stock		2,594			2,073			2,111
Restricted stock units		287			262			45
Share-based compensation before income tax benefit		10,969			8,038			3,848
Income tax benefit		(4,079	)		(2,988	)		(1,454	)
Share-based compensation, net of income tax benefit	$	6,890		$	5,050		$	2,394

We recorded share-based compensation expense through restructuring expense of $0.1 million during 2017, $0.2 million in 2016, and $45,000 in 2015. The 2017 and 2016 amounts relate to PUP and restricted stock units. The 2015 amount related to restricted stock units. No share-based compensation costs were capitalized during 2017, 2016, or 2015.

The following table summarizes the activity of the outstanding share-based compensation awards:

	PUP Awards					Restricted Stock					Restricted Stock Units
	Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance at December 31, 2016		255,505		$	26.11		267,051		$	25.96		15,982		$	25.58
Granted		73,557		$	47.44		67,029		$	46.99		2,950		$	47.45
Vested		(76,082	)	$	24.07		(112,548	)	$	24.04		(6,182	)	$	24.97
Forfeited		(13,642	)	$	34.99		(14,633	)	$	35.31		—		$	—
Balance at December 31, 2017		239,338		$	32.80		206,899		$	33.16		12,750		$	30.94

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Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan

We grant share-based compensation awards to our officers, directors, and certain key employees pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”). The 2017 Plan was approved by our stockholders and was effective May 18, 2017. The 2017 Plan replaced the 2007 Viad Corp Omnibus Stock Plan (the “2007 Plan”). No further awards may be made under the 2007 Plan, although awards previously granted under the 2007 Plan will remain outstanding in accordance with their respective terms. The 2017 Plan has a 10-year life and provides for the following types of awards: (a) incentive and non-qualified stock options; (b) restricted stock and restricted stock units; (c) performance units or performance shares; (d) stock appreciation rights; (e) cash-based awards; and (f) certain other stock-based awards. In June 2017, we registered 1,750,000 shares of common stock issuable under the 2017 Plan. As of December 31, 2017, there were 1,744,546 shares available for future grant under the 2017 Plan.

PUP Awards

In February 2016, the PUP Plan was amended to provide that PUP awards earned under the 2007 Plan may be payable in the form of cash or in shares of our common stock (or a combination of both). Previously, payouts could only be made in cash. The vesting of shares is based upon achievement of certain performance-based criteria. The performance period of the shares is three years.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we granted $3.5 million PUP awards of which $1.4 million are payable in shares. Liabilities related to PUP awards were $11.0 million as of December 31, 2017 and $7.6 million as of December 31, 2016. In March 2017, PUP awards granted in 2014 vested and we distributed cash payouts of $3.7 million. In March 2016, PUP awards granted in 2013 vested and we distributed cash payouts of $0.2 million. In March 2015, PUP awards granted in 2012 vested and we distributed cash payouts of $2.4 million.

Restricted Stock

The grant date fair value of vested restricted stock was $2.7 million in 2017, $2.0 million in 2016, and $2.2 million in 2015. As of December 31, 2017, the unamortized cost of outstanding restricted stock awards was $2.5 million, which we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.2 years. We repurchased 41,532 shares for $2.1 million in 2017 and 25,432 shares for $0.7 million in 2016 related to tax withholding requirements on vested share-based awards. During 2015, we repurchased 141,462 shares on the open market for $3.8 million and 35,649 shares for $1.0 million related to tax withholding requirements on vested share-based awards.

Restricted Stock Units

Aggregate liabilities related to restricted stock units was $0.5 million as of December 31, 2017 and $0.4 million as of December 31, 2016. In February 2017, portions of the 2012 and 2014 restricted stock units vested and we distributed cash payouts of $0.3 million. In February 2016, portions of the 2011, 2012, and 2013 restricted stock units vested and we distributed cash payouts of $0.2 million. In February 2015, portions of the 2010, 2011, and 2012 restricted stock units vested and we distributed cash payouts of $0.3 million.

Stock Options

During the year ended December 31, 2017, there was no stock option activity. As of both December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were 63,773 stock options outstanding and exercisable with a weighted-average exercise price of $16.62 and a weighted-average remaining contractual life of 2 years. As of December 31, 2017, there were no unrecognized costs related to non-vested stock option awards.

The following table provides additional stock option information:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Total intrinsic value of stock options outstanding(1)	$	2,473	$	1,753	$	740
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	—	$	—	$	1,474
Cash received from the exercise of stock options	$	—	$	—	$	898
Tax benefits realized for tax deductions related to stock option exercises	$	—	$	—	$	104

⁽¹⁾ The intrinsic value of stock options outstanding represents the difference between our closing stock price on December 31 of each year and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money stock options.

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Note 3. Acquisition of Businesses

2017 Acquisitions

Poken

In March 2017, we acquired Poken event engagement technology for total cash consideration of $1.7 million. Transaction costs associated with the acquisition of Poken were $0.3 million in 2017, which are included in cost of services in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. These assets have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

Esja

On November 3, 2017, we acquired the controlling interest (54.5% of the common stock) in Esja, a private corporation in Reykjavik, Iceland. Esja is developing and will operate a new FlyOver Iceland attraction, which is expected to open in 2019. The purchase price was €8.2 million (approximately $9.5 million) in cash, which included a put option that gives the minority Esja shareholders the right to sell (or “put”) their Esja shares to us based on a calculated formula within a predefined term. The noncontrolling interest’s carrying value is determined by the fair value of the noncontrolling interest as of the acquisition date, the noncontrolling interests’ share of the subsequent net income or loss, and the accretion of the redemption value of the put option. As of the transaction date, the fair value of the noncontrolling interest was estimated to be $6.7 million. Due to the recent timing of the acquisition, the fair value of the noncontrolling interest is not yet finalized and is subject to change within the measurement period (up to one year from the acquisition date). Refer to Note 21 – Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest for additional information.

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the purchase price is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is included in the Pursuit business group and the primary factor that contributed to the purchase price resulting in the recognition of goodwill relates to future income from operations after opening in 2019. Transaction costs associated with the acquisition of Esja were $0.1 million in 2017, which are included in cost of services in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The results of operations of Esja have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. During 2017, Esja had an operating loss of $0.1 million.

2016 Acquisitions

Maligne Lake Tours

On January 4, 2016, we acquired the assets and operations of Maligne Tours Ltd. (“Maligne Lake Tours”), which provides interpretive boat tours and related services at Maligne Lake, the largest lake in Jasper National Park. The purchase price was $20.9 million Canadian dollars (approximately $15.0 million U.S. dollars) in cash.

Transaction costs associated with the Maligne Lake Tours acquisition were $0.1 million in 2017 and $0.1 million in 2016, which are included in cost of services in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and $0.2 million in 2015, which are included in corporate activities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The results of operations of Maligne Lake Tours have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

CATC

On March 11, 2016, we acquired 100% of the equity interests in CATC Alaska Tourism Corporation (“CATC”), the operator of an Alaskan tourism business that includes a marine sightseeing tour business, three lodges, and a package tour business. The purchase price was $45.0 million in cash.

Transaction costs associated with the CATC acquisition were $0.1 million in 2017, $0.1 million in 2016, and $0.6 million in 2015, which are included in corporate activities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The results of operations of CATC have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

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ON Services

On August 11, 2016, we acquired the assets and operations of ON Event Services, LLC (“ON Services”), a leading provider of audio-visual production services for live events in the United States. The aggregate purchase price was up to $92.5 million in cash, which included an earnout payment (the “Earnout”) of up to $5.5 million. The fair value of the Earnout was valued on the date of acquisition and was remeasured based on the financial performance of ON Services for 2016. As of the transaction date, the fair value of the Earnout was estimated to be $540,000.

Transaction costs associated with the ON Services acquisition were $0.1 million in 2017 and $0.9 million in 2016, which are included in corporate activities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The results of operations of ON Services have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

FlyOver Canada

On December 29, 2016, we acquired the assets and operations of FlyOver Canada, a recreational attraction that provides a virtual flight ride experience with a combination of motion seating, spectacular media, and visual effects including wind, scents, and mist. The purchase price was $68.8 million Canadian dollars (approximately $50.9 million U.S. dollars) in cash.

Transaction costs associated with the FlyOver Canada acquisition were $0.1 million in 2017 and $0.5 million in 2016, which are included in cost of services in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The results of operations of FlyOver Canada have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

The following table summarizes the final allocation of the aggregate purchase price paid and amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon the estimated fair value at the date of acquisitions. The balances in the table below remain unchanged from the balances reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

	Maligne Lake Tours		CATC			ON Services		FlyOver Canada
(in thousands)
Purchase price paid as:
Cash	$	14,962	$	45,000		$	87,000	$	50,920
Working capital adjustment		—		(35	)		344		—
Contingent consideration		—		—			540		—
Cash acquired		—		(2,196	)		—		(6	)
Total purchase price, net of cash acquired		14,962		42,769			87,884		50,914
Fair value of net assets acquired:
Accounts receivable		—		8			4,643		—
Inventories		246		921			256		11
Prepaid expenses		2		82			872		37
Property and equipment		4,133		43,470			14,827		10,867
Intangible assets		9,244		980			33,990		6,028
Total assets acquired		13,625		45,461			54,588		16,943
Accounts payable		—		306			992		—
Accrued liabilities		—		434			564		118
Customer deposits		15		1,952			851		—
Other liabilities		240		—			274		—
Total liabilities acquired		255		2,692			2,681		118
Total fair value of net assets acquired		13,370		42,769			51,907		16,825
Excess purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired (“goodwill”)	$	1,592	$	—		$	35,977	$	34,089

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the purchase prices as shown in the table above are allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is included in the Pursuit business group for Maligne Lake Tours and FlyOver Canada and in the GES business group for ON Services. The primary factor that contributed to the purchase price resulting in the recognition of goodwill relates to future growth opportunities, and the expansion of the FlyOver concept for FlyOver Canada, when combined with our other businesses. All goodwill is deductible for tax purposes

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pursuant to Canadian tax regulations for Maligne Lake Tours and FlyOver Canada and over a period of 15 years for ON Services. The estimated values of current assets and liabilities were based upon their historical costs on the date of acquisition due to their short-term nature.

Following are the details of the purchase price allocated to the intangible assets acquired for the 2016 Acquisitions:

(in thousands, except weighted average life)	Maligne Lake Tours		CATC		ON Services		FlyOver Canada
Customer relationships	$	788	$	780	$	27,620	$	1,592
Operating licenses		8,313		—		—		—
Trade name		143		200		3,190		3,710
Non-compete agreements		—		—		3,180		726
Fair value of intangible assets acquired	$	9,244	$	980	$	33,990	$	6,028
Weighted average life	26.7 years(1)		5.8 years		10.5 years		9.4 years

⁽¹⁾ Largely attributable to operating licenses amortized over the remaining Parks Canada lease of 29 years.

Supplementary pro forma financial information

The following table summarizes our unaudited pro forma results of operations assuming the 2016 Acquisitions had each been completed on January 1, 2015:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2016		2015
Revenue	$	1,250,290	$	1,183,656
Depreciation and amortization	$	52,074	$	52,631
Income from continuing operations	$	43,727	$	27,881
Net income attributable to Viad	$	42,517	$	27,045
Diluted income per share	$	2.10	$	1.35
Basic income per share	$	2.10	$	1.35

Note 4. Inventories

The components of inventories consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Raw materials	$	17,550	$	16,846
Work in process		12,822		14,574
Inventories	$	30,372	$	31,420

Note 5. Other Current Assets

Other current assets consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Prepaid vendor payments	$	5,048	$	3,633
Income tax receivable		4,237		3,614
Prepaid software maintenance		3,386		2,804
Prepaid insurance		2,610		2,479
Prepaid taxes		912		850
Prepaid rent		730		327
Prepaid other		2,172		731
Other		1,935		4,011
Other current assets	$	21,030	$	18,449

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Note 6. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016
Land and land interests(1)	$	32,544		$	31,670
Buildings and leasehold improvements		222,118			185,987
Equipment and other(2)		351,676			326,868
Gross property and equipment		606,338			544,525
Accumulated depreciation		(300,767	)		(264,667	)
Property and equipment, net	$	305,571		$	279,858

⁽¹⁾ Land and land interests include certain leasehold interests in land within Pursuit for which we are considered to have perpetual use rights. The carrying amount of these leasehold interests was $8.4 million as of December 31, 2017 and $7.9 million as of December 31, 2016. These land interests are not subject to amortization.

⁽²⁾ Equipment and other includes capitalized costs incurred in developing or obtaining internal and external use software. The net carrying amount of capitalized software was $10.1 million as of December 31, 2017 and $11.9 million as of December 31, 2016.

Depreciation expense was $42.7 million for 2017, $33.6 million for 2016, and $28.1 million for 2015.

Non-cash increases to property and equipment related to assets acquired under capital leases were $2.5 million for 2017, $1.2 million for 2016, and $1.0 million for 2015. Non-cash increases to property and equipment purchases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities were $2.3 million for 2017, $0.9 million for 2016, and $2.3 million for 2015.

On December 29, 2016, the Mount Royal Hotel in Banff, Canada was damaged by a fire and closed. As a result of the fire, we recorded an impairment loss of $2.2 million against the net book value of the hotel assets. During 2017, we resolved our property and business interruption insurance claims related to the fire for a total of $36.3 million of which $29.3 million was recorded as an impairment recovery (partially offset by impairment charges of $0.2 million) related to construction costs to re-open the hotel.

During 2016, we recorded impairment charges of $0.2 million related to the write-down of certain software and buses in Pursuit. During 2015, we recorded impairment charges of $0.1 million related to the write-off of certain software in Pursuit. Impairment charges (recoveries) are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Note 7. Other Investments and Assets

Other investments and assets consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Cash surrender value of life insurance	$	23,947	$	23,197
Self-insured liability receivable		10,442		10,463
Workers’ compensation insurance security deposits		3,550		4,050
Other mutual funds		2,637		2,062
Other		6,936		4,525
Other investments and assets	$	47,512	$	44,297

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Note 8. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:

(in thousands)	GES U.S.		GES International			Pursuit		Total
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	112,300	$	38,635		$	34,288	$	185,223
Business acquisitions		35,977		—			35,681		71,658
Foreign currency translation adjustments		—		(4,175	)		1,316		(2,859	)
Balance at December 31, 2016		148,277		34,460			71,285		254,022
Business acquisitions		—		1,060			7,094		8,154
Foreign currency translation adjustments		—		3,320			5,055		8,375
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	148,277	$	38,840		$	83,434	$	270,551

The following table summarizes goodwill by reporting unit and segment:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
GES:
U.S.	$	148,277	$	148,277
International:
GES EMEA		31,612		27,694
GES Canada		7,228		6,766
Total GES		187,117		182,737
Pursuit:
Banff Jasper Collection		35,305		32,587
Alaska Collection		3,184		3,184
Glacier Park Collection		1,268		1,268
FlyOver		43,677		34,246
Total Pursuit		83,434		71,285
Total Goodwill	$	270,551	$	254,022

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis as of October 31, and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value.

GES U.S. goodwill is assigned to, and tested at, the operating segment level. GES International goodwill is assigned to and tested based on the segment’s geographical operations (GES Europe, Middle East, and Asia (“GES EMEA”) and GES Canada). Pursuit’s impairment testing is performed at the reporting unit level (Banff Jasper Collection, the Alaska Collection, Glacier Park Collection, and FlyOver).

As a result of our most recent impairment analysis performed as of October 31, 2017, the excess of the estimated fair value over the carrying value for each of our reporting units (expressed as a percentage of the carrying amounts) under step one of the impairment test for GES U.S. was 134%, GES EMEA was 214%, GES Canada was 164%, the Banff Jasper Collection was 147%, the Alaska Collection was 99%, the Glacier Park Collection was 16%, and FlyOver was 29%.

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Our accumulated goodwill impairment as of both December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $229.7 million.

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:

	December 31, 2017							December 31, 2016
(in thousands)	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value
Amortized intangible assets:
Customer contracts and relationships	$	68,798	$	(23,696	)	$	45,102	$	67,762	$	(14,345	)	$	53,417
Operating contracts and licenses		9,951		(1,094	)		8,857		9,315		(652	)		8,663
Tradenames		8,633		(2,873	)		5,760		8,324		(1,440	)		6,884
Non-compete agreements		5,363		(3,007	)		2,356		5,190		(1,369	)		3,821
Other		896		(650	)		246		886		(458	)		428
Total amortized intangible assets		93,641		(31,320	)		62,321		91,477		(18,264	)		73,213
Unamortized intangible assets:
Business licenses		460		—			460		460		—			460
Other intangible assets	$	94,101	$	(31,320	)	$	62,781	$	91,937	$	(18,264	)	$	73,673

Intangible asset amortization expense was $12.4 million during 2017, $9.2 million during 2016, and $7.2 million during 2015. The weighted-average amortization period of customer contracts and relationships is approximately 8.5 years, operating contracts and licenses is approximately 26.3 years, tradenames is approximately 7.0 years, non-compete agreements is approximately 2.2 years, and other amortizable intangible assets is approximately 2.2 years. The estimated future amortization expense related to amortized intangible assets held at December 31, 2017 is as follows:

(in thousands)
Year ending December 31,
2018	$	11,013
2019		9,945
2020		8,444
2021		7,447
2022		5,895
Thereafter		19,577
Total	$	62,321

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Note 9. Other Current Liabilities

Other current liabilities consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Continuing operations:
Accrued income tax payable	$	7,518	$	758
Self-insured liability accrual		6,208		5,941
Commissions payable		3,235		639
Accrued employee benefit costs		2,915		2,624
Accrued sales and use taxes		2,431		4,279
Accrued dividends		2,094		2,119
Current portion of pension and postretirement liabilities		2,109		1,963
Deferred rent		1,679		1,535
Accrued rebates		1,106		1,078
Accrued professional fees		1,020		794
Accrued restructuring		722		1,924
Other taxes		2,750		4,210
Other		3,852		1,774
Total continuing operations		37,639		29,638
Discontinued operations:
Environmental remediation liabilities		648		492
Self-insured liability accrual		337		162
Other		96		98
Total discontinued operations		1,081		752
Total other current liabilities	$	38,720	$	30,390

Note 10. Other Deferred Items and Liabilities

Other deferred items and liabilities consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Continuing operations:
Self-insured liability	$	12,918	$	12,981
Self-insured excess liability		10,442		10,463
Accrued compensation		9,740		8,514
Foreign deferred tax liability		8,267		2,264
Deferred rent		3,855		5,271
Accrued restructuring		1,827		1,858
Other		1,305		1,300
Total continuing operations		48,354		42,651
Discontinued operations:
Self-insured liability		2,557		3,748
Environmental remediation liabilities		1,728		3,091
Accrued income taxes		—		1,045
Other		219		199
Total discontinued operations		4,504		8,083
Total other deferred items and liabilities	$	52,858	$	50,734

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Note 11. Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

The components of long-term debt and capital lease obligations consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands, except interest rates)	2017			2016
Revolving credit facility and term loan, 3.1% weighted-average interest rate at   December 31, 2017 and 2.6% at December 31, 2016, due through 2019 (1)	$	207,322		$	212,750
Brewster Inc. revolving credit facility, 2.7% weighted-average interest rate at   December 31, 2016 (1)		—			36,456
Less unamortized debt issuance costs		(984	)		(1,464	)
Total debt		206,338			247,742
Capital lease obligations, 3.8% weighted-average interest rate at December 31,   2017 and 4.9% at December 31, 2016, due through 2021		2,854			1,469
Total debt and capital lease obligations		209,192			249,211
Current portion (2)		(152,599	)		(174,968	)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	56,593		$	74,243

⁽¹⁾ Represents the weighted-average interest rate in effect at the respective periods for the revolving credit facilities and term loan borrowings, including any applicable margin. The interest rates do not include amortization of debt issuance costs or commitment fees.

⁽²⁾ Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities are classified as current because all borrowed amounts are due within one year.

Effective December 22, 2014, we entered into a $300 million Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provides for a senior credit facility in the aggregate amount of $300 million, which consists of a $175 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and a $125 million term loan (the “Term Loan”). The Credit Agreement has a maturity date of December 22, 2019. Proceeds from the loans made under the Credit Agreement were used to refinance certain of our outstanding debt and will be used for general corporate purposes in the ordinary course of business. Under the Credit Agreement, either or both of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan may be increased up to an additional $100 million under certain circumstances. If such circumstances are met, we may obtain the additional borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Term Loan, or a combination of the two. The Revolving Credit Facility has a $40 million sublimit for letters of credit. Borrowings and letters of credit can be denominated in U.S. dollars, Euros, Canadian dollars, or British pounds. Our lenders under the Credit Agreement have a first perfected security interest in all of our personal property including GES, GES Event Intelligence Services, Inc., CATC, and ON Services, and 65% of the capital stock of our top-tier foreign subsidiaries.

Effective February 24, 2016, we executed an amendment (“Amendment No. 1”) to the Credit Agreement. Amendment No. 1 modified the terms of the financial covenants and the negative covenants related to acquisitions, restricted payments, and indebtedness. The overall maximum leverage ratio and minimum fixed charge coverage ratio are 3.50 to 1.00 and 1.75 to 1.00, respectively, and will remain at those levels for the entire remaining term of the Credit Agreement. Acquisitions in substantially the same or related lines of business are permitted under Amendment No. 1, as long as the pro forma leverage ratio is less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00. We can make dividends, distributions, and repurchases of our common stock up to $20 million per calendar year. Stock dividends, distributions, and repurchases above the $20 million limit are not subject to a liquidity covenant, and are permitted as long as our pro forma leverage ratio is less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00 and no default or unmatured default, as defined in the Credit Agreement, exists. Unsecured debt is allowed as long as our pro forma leverage ratio is less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00. Significant other covenants under the Credit Agreement that were not affected by Amendment No. 1 include limitations on investments, sales/leases of assets, consolidations or mergers, and liens on property. As of December 31, 2017, the fixed charge coverage ratio was 3.10 to 1.00, the leverage ratio was 1.45 to 1.00, and we were in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement.

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Effective December 28, 2016, Brewster Inc., part of Pursuit, entered into a credit agreement (the “Brewster Credit Agreement”) with a $38 million revolving credit facility (the “Brewster Revolver”). The Brewster Credit Agreement was used in connection with the FlyOver Canada acquisition. Effective December 6, 2017, we amended the Brewster Revolver to reduce the amount to $20 million and extend the maturity date to December 28, 2018. Additional loan proceeds will be used forpotential future acquisitions in Canada and other general corporate purposes of Brewster Inc. The lender under the Brewster Revolver has a first perfected security interest in all of Brewster Inc.’s personal property and a guaranty from Brewster Inc.’s immediate parent, Brewster Travel Canada Inc. (secured by its present and future personal property), Viad, and all of its current or future subsidiaries that are required to be guarantors under Viad’s Credit Agreement. The fees on the unused portion of the Brewster Revolver are currently 0.2% annually.

As of December 31, 2017, our total debt and capital lease obligations were $209.2 million, consisting of outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan of $75.0 million, the Revolving Credit Facility of $132.3 million, and capital lease obligations of $2.9 million, offset in part by unamortized debt issuance costs of $1.0 million. As of December 31, 2017, capacity remaining under the Revolving Credit Facility was $41.4 million, reflecting borrowings of $132.3 million and $1.3 million in outstanding letters of credit. As of December 31, 2017, Brewster Inc. had $20 million of capacity remaining under the Brewster Revolver.

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility (of which GES, GES Event Intelligence Services, Inc., CATC, and ON Services are guarantors) are indexed to the prime rate or the London Interbank Offered Rate, plus appropriate spreads tied to our leverage ratio. Commitment fees and letters of credit fees are also tied to our leverage ratio. The fees on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility are currently 0.3% annually.

As of December 31, 2017, on behalf of our subsidiaries, we had certain obligations under guarantees to third parties. These guarantees are not subject to liability recognition in the consolidated financial statements and relate to leased facilities entered into by our subsidiary operations. We would generally be required to make payments to the respective third parties under these guarantees in the event that the related subsidiary could not meet its own payment obligations. The maximum potential amount of future payments that we would be required to make under all guarantees existing as of December 31, 2017 would be $19.3 million. These guarantees relate to facilities leased through October 2027. There are no recourse provisions that would enable us to recover from third parties any payments made under the guarantees. Furthermore, there are no collateral or similar arrangements whereby we could recover payments.

Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations as of December 31, 2017 are as follows:

(in thousands)	Revolving Credit Agreement		Capital Lease Obligations
Year ending December 31,
2018	$	151,072	$	1,601
2019		56,250		899
2020		—		454
2021		—		17
2022		—		—
Total	$	207,322	$	2,971
Less: Amount representing interest				(117	)
Present value of minimum lease payments			$	2,854

As of December 31, 2017, the gross amount of assets recorded under capital leases was $4.8 million and accumulated amortization was $2.0 million. As of December 31, 2016, the gross amount of assets recorded under capital leases was $3.3 million and accumulated amortization was $1.7 million. The amortization charges related to assets recorded under capital leases are included in depreciation expense. Refer to Note 6 – Property and Equipment.

The weighted-average interest rate on total debt (including amortization of debt issuance costs and commitment fees) was 3.7% for 2017, 3.1% for 2016 and 3.2% for 2015. The estimated fair value of total debt was $203.2 million as of December 31, 2017 and $252.8 million as of December 31, 2016. The fair value of debt was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using rates currently available for debt of similar terms and maturity.

Cash paid for interest on debt was $7.7 million for 2017, $5.5 million for 2016, and $4.2 million for 2015.

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Note 12. Fair Value Measurements

The fair value of an asset or liability is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value guidance requires an entity to maximize the use of quoted prices and other observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value, and also establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value as follows:

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of fair value.

Money market mutual funds and certain other mutual fund investments are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 1 inputs. The fair value information related to these assets is summarized in the following tables:

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2017		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	119	$	119	$	—	$	—
Other mutual funds(2)		2,637		2,637		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	2,756	$	2,756	$	—	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2016		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	118	$	118	$	—	$	—
Other mutual funds(2)		2,062		2,062		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	2,180	$	2,180	$	—	$	—

⁽¹⁾ Money market funds are included in “Cash and cash equivalents” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These investments are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value. There have been no realized gains or losses related to these investments and we have not experienced any redemption restrictions with respect to any of the money market mutual funds.

⁽²⁾ Other mutual funds are included in “Other investments and assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These investments are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains of $1.0 million ($0.6 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2017 and $0.7 million ($0.4 million after tax) as of December 31, 2016 are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” (“AOCI”) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. Refer to Note 11 – Debt and Capital Lease Obligations for the estimated fair value of debt obligations.

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Note 13. Income Per Share

The components of basic and diluted income per share are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2017			2016			2015
Net income attributable to Viad (diluted)	$	57,707		$	42,269		$	26,606
Less: Allocation to non-vested shares		(700	)		(571	)		(385	)
Adjustment to carrying value of redeemable noncontrolling interest		—			—			—
Net income allocated to Viad common stockholders (basic)	$	57,007		$	41,698		$	26,221
Basic weighted-average outstanding common shares		20,146			19,990			19,797
Additional dilutive shares related to share-based compensation		259			187			184
Diluted weighted-average outstanding shares		20,405			20,177			19,981
Income per share:
Basic income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	2.83		$	2.09		$	1.32
Diluted income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	2.83		$	2.09		$	1.32

Options to purchase 8,000 shares during 2017, 500 shares during 2016, and 4,000 shares during 2015 of common stock were outstanding, but were not included in the computation of dilutive shares outstanding because the effect would be anti-dilutive.

Note 14. Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

We authorized five million shares of Preferred Stock and two million shares of Junior Participating Preferred Stock, none of which was outstanding on December 31, 2017.

Note 15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in AOCI by component are as follows:

(in thousands)	Unrealized Gains on Investments			Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Unrecognized Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Credit, Net			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	346		$	(23,257	)	$	(11,265	)	$	(34,176	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		135			(5,827	)		—			(5,692	)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		(60	)		—			537			477
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		75			(5,827	)		537			(5,215	)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	421		$	(29,084	)	$	(10,728	)	$	(39,391	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		257			17,058			—			17,315
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		(62	)		—			(430	)		(492	)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		195			17,058			(430	)		16,823
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	616		$	(12,026	)	$	(11,158	)	$	(22,568	)

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The following table presents information about reclassification adjustments out of AOCI:

	Year Ended December 31,						Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
(in thousands)	2017			2016
Unrealized gains on investments	$	(100	)	$	(97	)	Interest income
Tax effect		38			37		Income taxes
	$	(62	)	$	(60	)
Recognized net actuarial loss (gains)(1)	$	507		$	1,440
Amortization of prior service credit(1)		(1,247	)		(575	)
Tax effect		310			(328	)	Income taxes
	$	(430	)	$	537

⁽¹⁾ Amount included in pension expense. Refer to Note 17 – Pension and Postretirement Benefits.

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Note 16. Income Taxes

We record current income tax expense for the amounts that we expect to report and pay on our income tax returns and deferred income tax expense for the change in the deferred tax assets and liabilities. On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) that significantly changed the U.S. tax code and reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, measured at the enacted tax rate applicable when the differences reverse. We recognized deferred tax expense of $8.0 million for the remeasurement of the net deferred tax assets in the fourth quarter of 2017.  

The Tax Act included the transition from a worldwide system of taxation to a territorial system and required a one-time deemed mandatory repatriation of post-1986 undistributed foreign subsidiary earnings and profits (“E&P”). As of December 31, 2017, we had an estimated $174.0 million of undistributed foreign E&P subject to the deemed mandatory repatriation and recognized current income tax expense of $8.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.  

In addition to the impact recorded as of December 31, 2017, the Tax Act changed existing tax laws, effective January 1, 2018, including the repeal of the corporate alternative minimum tax and the increasing alternative minimum tax credit carryforward utilization, as well as establishing two new taxes, the base erosion anti-abuse tax (“BEAT”) and the global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) tax after the foreign intangible deduction (“FDII”).

Under the new BEAT regime, certain payments made to related foreign companies are treated as base-eroding and limits the deductibility of these payments and imposes a minimum tax in excess of regular tax liability. We have reviewed the applicability of the BEAT provisions to our transactions and we do not expect to be subject to BEAT and have not recorded any provision for BEAT in the year ended December 31, 2017.

Under the new GILTI regime, earnings of foreign subsidiaries in excess of an allowable return on the subsidiary’s tangible assets are required to be included in our U.S. taxable income. Because of the complexity of the new GILTI tax rules, we are continuing to assess the impact and have not recorded a provision for the GILTI tax in the year ended December 31, 2017.

On December 22, 2017, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act under U.S. GAAP for SEC registrants who do not have the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act. In accordance with SAB 118, to the extent that a company’s accounting is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in the financial statements.  

We have not completed the detailed accounting for all of the income tax effects of the Tax Act, specifically the BEAT and GILTI taxes, since the computations are complex and we need additional time to complete a full analysis. Under SAB 118, we recorded a provisional estimate for the mandatory repatriation of post-1986 undistributed foreign subsidiary E&P of $8.1 million and the remeasurement of the net deferred tax assets of $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The ultimate impact may differ from these provisional amounts, possibly materially, due to additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions we have made, additional regulatory guidance that may be issued and actions we may take as a result of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the enactment date and we expect to complete the detailed accounting and include any adjustments within this period.

Income from continuing operations before income taxes consisted of the following: 

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Foreign	$	82,919	$	33,611	$	35,571
United States		21,431		31,118		2,364
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	104,350	$	64,729	$	37,935

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Significant components of the income tax provision from continuing operations are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016			2015
Current:
United States:
Federal	$	1,693	$	3,685		$	(876	)
State		2,573		1,716			1,558
Foreign		15,583		8,177			9,342
Total current		19,849		13,578			10,024
Deferred:
United States:
Federal		19,893		8,427			1,854
State		1,761		(598	)		(164	)
Foreign		4,395		(157	)		(1,221	)
Total deferred		26,049		7,672			469
Income tax expense	$	45,898	$	21,250		$	10,493

We are subject to income tax in jurisdictions in which we operate. A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017					2016					2015
Computed income tax expense at statutory federal income tax rate of 35%	$	36,522		35.0	%	$	22,655		35.0	%	$	13,277		35.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit		1,160		1.1	%		292		0.5	%		1,713		4.5	%
Deemed mandatory repatriation state tax		1,206		1.2	%		—		—			—		—
Deemed mandatory repatriation federal tax, net of foreign tax credit		6,936		6.6	%		—		—			—		—
Remeasurement of deferred taxes due to reduction in U.S. tax rate *		8,000		7.7	%		—		—			—		—
Foreign tax rate differential		(5,031	)	(4.8	)%		(882	)	(1.4	)%		(1,181	)	(3.1	)%
U.S. tax on current year foreign earnings, net of foreign tax credits		(2,726	)	(2.6	)%		(373	)	(0.6	)%		(948	)	(2.5	)%
Change in valuation allowance		(796	)	(0.8	)%		1,230		1.9	%		(944	)	(2.5	)%
Other adjustments, net		627		0.6	%		(1,672	)	(2.6	)%		(1,424	)	(3.7	)%
Income tax expense	$	45,898		44.0	%	$	21,250		32.8	%	$	10,493		27.7	%

* Includes $0.6 million increase to the valuation allowance related to the remeasurement of deferred taxes due to the reduction in U.S. tax rate.

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The components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016
Deferred tax assets:
Tax credit carryforwards	$	6,654		$	11,380
Pension, compensation, and other employee benefits		15,173			22,868
Provisions for losses		5,826			10,235
Net operating loss carryforward		5,195			5,023
State income taxes		2,502			3,790
Other deferred income tax assets		2,796			5,020
Total deferred tax assets		38,146			58,316
Valuation allowance		(4,010	)		(3,998	)
Foreign deferred tax assets included above		(2,396	)		(1,972	)
Net deferred tax assets		31,740			52,346
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		(10,530	)		(3,299	)
Deferred tax related to life insurance		(3,556	)		(5,642	)
Goodwill and other intangible assets		(4,299	)		(4,535	)
Other deferred income tax liabilities		(463	)		(557	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(18,848	)		(14,033	)
Foreign deferred tax liabilities included above		7,869			2,852
United States net deferred tax assets	$	20,761		$	41,165

We use significant judgment in forming conclusions regarding the recoverability of our deferred tax assets and evaluate all available positive and negative evidence to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. To the extent recovery does not appear likely, a valuation allowance must be recorded. We had gross deferred tax assets of $38.1 million as of December 31, 2017 and $58.3 million as of December 31, 2016. These deferred tax assets reflect the expected future tax benefits to be realized upon reversal of deductible temporary differences and the utilization of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.

As of December 31, 2017, foreign tax credit carryforwards were $0.4 million, of which $0.1 million are U.S. foreign tax credits and $0.3 million are United Kingdom foreign tax credits. The U.S. foreign tax credits are subject to a 10-year carryforward period and will expire in 2021. As of December 31, 2017, we had alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards of $6.2 million that will be fully utilized against future tax liabilities before becoming refundable as allowed under the Tax Act.

We had gross state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $68.4 million as of December 31, 2017 and $63.0 million as of December 31, 2016, for which we had deferred tax assets of $5.2 million as of December 31, 2017 and $5.0 million as of December 31, 2016. The state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards expire on various dates from 2018 through 2038.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the valuation allowance was $4.0 million. During 2017, we had a $1.6 million decrease on German foreign net operating loss carryforwards, offset by a $0.3 million increase for the United Kingdom foreign tax credits (although subject to an indefinite carryforward period, do not meet the more likely-than-not threshold for recognition), a $0.5 million increase for the state net operating loss return to provision true up, a $0.6 million increase due to the remeasurement for the reduction in U.S. tax rate, and a $0.2 million increase in foreign exchange.

While we believe that the deferred tax assets, net of existing valuation allowances, will be utilized in future periods, there are inherent uncertainties regarding the ultimate realization of these assets. It is possible that the relative weight of positive and negative evidence regarding the realization of deferred tax assets may change, which could result in a material increase or decrease in our valuation allowance. Such a change could result in a material increase or decrease to income tax expense in the period the assessment was made.

We have not recorded deferred taxes for certain states or foreign withholding taxes on certain historical unremitted earnings of our subsidiaries located in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands as we intend to reinvest those earnings in operations outside of the United States.

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We exercise judgment in determining the income tax provision for positions taken on prior returns when the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We classify liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions as non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets unless expected to be paid or released within one year. We had liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, of $1.7 million as of December 31, 2017 and $2.7 million as of December 31, 2016. Uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, are classified as a component of income tax expense.

During 2017, we decreased the liability for continuing operations uncertain tax positions by $0.1 million due to lapse of statute and we increased accrued interest and penalties for continuing operations positions by $0.1 million. We expect $1.3 million of the continuing operations uncertain tax positions to be resolved or settled within the next twelve months and have classified this amount as a current liability.

During 2017, we released the liability for discontinued operations uncertain tax positions of $1.0 million, including $0.4 million in accrued interest and penalties, due to a statute expiration, which was recorded through discontinued operations. We had liabilities associated with discontinued operations uncertain tax positions of zero as of December 31, 2017 and $1.0 million as of December 31, 2016.

A reconciliation of the liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions (excluding interest and penalties) is as follows:

(in thousands)	Continuing Operations			Discontinued Operations			Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	1,283		$	636		$	1,919
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		43			—			43
Reductions for tax positions taken in prior years		(666	)		—			(666	)
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		(353	)		—			(353	)
Balance at December 31, 2015		307			636			943
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		1,295			—			1,295
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		(43	)		—			(43	)
Balance at December 31, 2016		1,559			636			2,195
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		43			—			43
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		(177	)		(636	)		(813	)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	1,425		$	—		$	1,425

We are subject to regular and recurring audits by taxing authorities in jurisdictions in which we operate or have operated in the past, including various foreign countries in addition to the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Our 2014 through 2017 U.S. federal tax years and various state tax years from 2013 through 2017 remain subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities. Tax years 2012 through 2017 remain subject to examination by various foreign taxing jurisdictions.

Cash paid for income taxes was $14.6 million during 2017, $14.1 million during 2016, and $10.1 million during 2015.

Note 17. Pension and Postretirement Benefits

Domestic Plans

We have frozen defined benefit pension plans held in trust for certain employees which we funded. We also maintain certain unfunded defined benefit pension plans which provide supplemental benefits to select management employees. These plans use traditional defined benefit formulas based on years of service and final average compensation. Funding policies provide that payments to defined benefit pension trusts shall be at least equal to the minimum funding required by applicable regulations.

We also have certain defined benefit postretirement plans that provide medical and life insurance for certain eligible employees, retirees, and dependents. The related postretirement benefit liabilities are recognized over the period that services are provided by employees. In addition, we retained the obligations for these benefits for retirees of certain sold businesses. While the plans have no funding requirements, we may fund the plans.

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The components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) of our pension plans consist of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	64		$	98		$	101
Interest cost		803			1,032			1,018
Expected return on plan assets		(176	)		(256	)		(380	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		433			423			492
Net periodic benefit cost		1,124			1,297			1,231
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss (gain)		114			1			(963	)
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss		(433	)		(423	)		(492	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		(319	)		(422	)		(1,455	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income (loss)	$	805		$	875		$	(224	)

The components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) of our postretirement benefit plans consist of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	92		$	99		$	152
Interest cost		413			573			619
Amortization of prior service credit		(431	)		(503	)		(552	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		164			295			528
Net periodic benefit cost		238			464			747
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss (gain)		237			(790	)		(1,248	)
Prior service credit		816			73			3
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss		(164	)		(295	)		(528	)
Prior service credit		431			503			552
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		1,320			(509	)		(1,221	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income (loss)	$	1,558		$	(45	)	$	(474	)

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The following table indicates the funded status of the plans as of December 31:

													Postretirement
	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans						Benefit Plans
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	15,027		$	14,906		$	9,825		$	10,049		$	13,619		$	14,573
Service cost		—			—			64			97			92			99
Interest cost		492			629			311			403			413			573
Actuarial adjustments		618			240			175			(221	)		237			(790	)
Plan amendments		—			—			—			—			816			73
Benefits paid		(697	)		(748	)		(518	)		(503	)		(1,370	)		(909	)
Benefit obligation at end of year		15,440			15,027			9,857			9,825			13,807			13,619
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		10,416			10,479			—			—			—			—
Actual return on plan assets		855			273			—			—			—			—
Company contributions		1,016			412			518			503			1,370			909
Benefits paid		(697	)		(748	)		(518	)		(503	)		(1,370	)		(909	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		11,590			10,416			—			—			—			—
Funded status at end of year	$	(3,850	)	$	(4,611	)	$	(9,857	)	$	(9,825	)	$	(13,807	)	$	(13,619	)

The net amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the caption “Pension and postretirement benefits” as of December 31 are as follows:

									Postretirement
	Funded Plans				Unfunded Plans				Benefit Plans
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016
Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	809	$	699	$	1,112	$	1,094
Non-current liabilities		3,850		4,611		9,048		9,126		12,695		12,525
Net amount recognized	$	3,850	$	4,611	$	9,857	$	9,825	$	13,807	$	13,619

Amounts recognized in AOCI as of December 31 are as follows:

													Postretirement
	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans						Benefit Plans						Total			Total
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016
Net actuarial loss	$	8,681		$	9,090		$	2,587		$	2,496		$	2,784		$	2,710		$	14,052		$	14,296
Prior service credit		—			—			—			—			(351	)		(1,598	)		(351	)		(1,598	)
Subtotal		8,681			9,090			2,587			2,496			2,433			1,112			13,701			12,698
Less tax effect		(3,292	)		(3,447	)		(981	)		(947	)		(923	)		(422	)		(5,196	)		(4,816	)
Total	$	5,389		$	5,643		$	1,606		$	1,549		$	1,510		$	690		$	8,505		$	7,882

The estimated net actuarial loss for the postretirement benefit plans that is expected to be amortized from AOCI into net periodic benefit cost in 2018 is approximately $0.2 million. The estimated prior service credit for the postretirement benefit plans that is expected to be amortized from AOCI into net periodic benefit credit in 2018 is approximately $0.2 million.

The estimated net actuarial loss that is expected to be amortized from AOCI into net periodic benefit cost in 2018 is approximately $0.1 million for the unfunded benefit plans and $0.4 million for the funded benefit plans.

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The fair value of the domestic plans’ assets by asset class are as follows:

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017
			Quoted Prices in Active Markets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
(in thousands)	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Domestic pension plans:
Fixed income securities	$	5,787	$	5,787	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		5,390		5,390		—		—
Cash		214		214		—		—
Other		199		—		199		—
Total	$	11,590	$	11,391	$	199	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016
			Quoted Prices in Active Markets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
(in thousands)	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Domestic pension plans:
Fixed income securities	$	5,352	$	5,352	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		4,580		4,580		—		—
Cash		280		280		—		—
Other		204		—		204		—
Total	$	10,416	$	10,212	$	204	$	—

We employ a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income securities is used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of plan liabilities, plan funded status, and corporate financial condition. The investment portfolio contains a diversified blend of equity and fixed income securities. Furthermore, equity securities are diversified across U.S. and non-U.S. stocks, as well as growth and value. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through quarterly investment portfolio reviews and annual liability measurements.

We utilize a building-block approach in determining the long-term expected rate of return on plan assets. Historical markets are studied and long-term historical relationships between equity securities and fixed income securities are preserved consistent with the widely accepted capital market principle that assets with higher volatility generate a greater return over the long run. Current market factors such as inflation and interest rates are evaluated before long-term capital market assumptions are determined. The long-term portfolio return also considers diversification and rebalancing. Peer data and historical returns are reviewed relative to our assumed rates for reasonableness and appropriateness.

The following pension and postretirement benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

(in thousands)	Funded Plans		Unfunded Plans		Postretirement Benefit Plans
2018	$	1,434	$	823	$	1,132
2019	$	927	$	738	$	1,127
2020	$	997	$	740	$	1,100
2021	$	921	$	725	$	1,066
2022	$	990	$	709	$	1,039
2023-2027	$	4,859	$	3,259	$	4,685

Foreign Pension Plans

Certain of our foreign operations also maintain defined benefit pension plans held in trust for certain employees which are funded by the companies, and unfunded defined benefit pension plans providing supplemental benefits to select management employees. These plans use traditional defined benefit formulas based on years of service and final average compensation.

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Funding policies provide that payments to defined benefit pension trusts shall be at least equal to the minimum funding required by applicable regulations. The components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) included the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	530		$	488		$	503
Interest cost		492			488			505
Expected return on plan assets		(602	)		(558	)		(583	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		155			162			160
Settlement		777			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost		1,352			580			585
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss		(106	)		158			182
Reversal of amortization of net actuarial loss		(155	)		(162	)		(160	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		(261	)		(4	)		22
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income	$	1,091		$	576		$	607

The following table represents the funded status of the plans as of December 31:

	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	10,488		$	9,744		$	2,486		$	2,470
Service cost		530			488			—			—
Interest cost		406			400			87			87
Actuarial adjustments		658			395			(54	)		105
Benefits paid		(3,231	)		(818	)		(182	)		(177	)
Translation adjustment		670			279			245			1
Benefit obligation at end of year		9,521			10,488			2,582			2,486
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		10,576			9,705			—			—
Actual return on plan assets		764			617			—			—
Company contributions		710			795			182			177
Benefits paid		(3,231	)		(818	)		(182	)		(177	)
Translation adjustment		674			277			—			—
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		9,493			10,576			—			—
Funded status at end of year	$	(28	)	$	88		$	(2,582	)	$	(2,486	)

The net amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the caption “Pension and postretirement benefits” as of December 31 were as follows:

	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2017		2016
Non-current assets	$	(15	)	$	(88	)	$	—	$	—
Other current liabilities		—			—			188		170
Non-current liabilities		43			—			2,394		2,316
Net amount recognized	$	28		$	(88	)	$	2,582	$	2,486

Net actuarial losses for the foreign funded plans recognized in AOCI were $2.5 million ($1.8 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2017 and $3.3 million ($2.5 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2016. Net actuarial losses for the foreign unfunded plans recognized in AOCI were $0.7 million ($0.5 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2017 and $0.4 million ($0.3 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2016.

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The fair value information related to the foreign pension plans’ assets is summarized in the following tables:

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2017		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Fixed income securities	$	4,414	$	4,414	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		4,889		4,466		423		—
Other		190		190		—		—
Total	$	9,493	$	9,070	$	423	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2016		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Fixed income securities	$	4,082	$	4,082	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		4,518		4,130		388		—
Other		1,976		1,976		—		—
Total	$	10,576	$	10,188	$	388	$	—

The following payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

(in thousands)	Funded Plans		Unfunded Plans
2018	$	365	$	191
2019	$	376	$	190
2020	$	378	$	190
2021	$	396	$	190
2022	$	496	$	189
2023-2027	$	2,499	$	935

Information for Pension Plans with an Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets

The accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of December 31 were as follows:

	Domestic Plans
	Funded Plans				Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2017		2016
Projected benefit obligation	$	15,440	$	15,027	$	9,857	$	9,825
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	15,440	$	15,027	$	9,826	$	9,737
Fair value of plan assets	$	11,590	$	10,416	$	—	$	—

	Foreign Plans
	Funded Plans				Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2017		2016
Projected benefit obligation	$	9,521	$	10,488	$	2,582	$	2,486
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	8,819	$	9,906	$	2,582	$	2,486
Fair value of plan assets	$	9,493	$	10,576	$	—	$	—

Contributions

In aggregate for both the domestic and foreign plans, we anticipate contributing $1.1 million to the funded pension plans, $1.0 million to the unfunded pension plans, and $1.1 million to the postretirement benefit plans in 2018.

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Weighted-Average Assumptions

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31 were as follows:

	Domestic Plans
	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans						Postretirement Benefit Plans						Foreign Plans
	2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016
Discount rate		3.63	%		4.12	%		3.55	%		3.99	%		3.59	%		4.08	%		3.15	%		3.52	%
Rate of compensation increase	N/A			N/A				3.00	%		3.00	%	N/A			N/A				2.26	%		2.34	%

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs as of December 31 were as follows:

	Domestic Plans
	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans						Postretirement Benefit Plans						Foreign Plans
	2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016
Discount rate		4.07	%		4.33	%		3.99	%		4.25	%		4.08	%		4.30	%		3.71	%		3.77	%
Expected return on plan assets		5.50	%		2.25	%	N/A			N/A				0.00	%		0.00	%		5.09	%		4.53	%
Rate of compensation increase	N/A			N/A				3.00	%		3.00	%	N/A			N/A				2.26	%		2.34	%

The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring the December 31, 2017 accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 7.5%, declining one-third percent each year to the ultimate rate of 4.5% by the year 2026 and remaining at that level thereafter. The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring the December 31, 2016 accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 7.0%, declining one-quarter percent each year to the ultimate rate of 4.5% by the year 2026 and remaining at that level thereafter.

A one-percentage-point increase in the assumed health care cost trend rate for each year would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2017 by approximately $1.4 million and the total of service and interest cost components by approximately $0.1 million. A one-percentage-point decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rate for each year would decrease the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2017 by approximately $1.1 million and the total of service and interest cost components by approximately $0.1 million.

Multi-employer Plans

We contribute to defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements that cover our union-represented employees. The financial risks of participating in these multi-employer pension plans generally include the fact that assets contributed to the plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers. Furthermore, if a participating employer ceases to contribute to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers. In addition, if we were to discontinue participating in some of our multi-employer pension plans, we may be required to pay those plans a withdrawal liability amount based on the underfunded status of the plan. We also contribute to defined contribution plans pursuant to collective-bargaining agreements, which are generally not subject to the funding risks inherent in defined benefit pension plans. The overall level of contributions to our multi-employer plans may significantly vary from year to year based on the demand for union-represented labor to support our operations. We do not have any minimum contribution requirements for future periods pursuant to our collective-bargaining agreements for individually significant multi-employer plans.

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Our participation in multi-employer pension plans for 2017 is outlined in the following table. Unless otherwise noted, the most recent Pension Protection Act zone status available in 2017 and 2016 relates to the plan’s year end as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and is based on information received from the plan. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65% funded, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80% funded, and plans in the green zone are at least 80% funded. The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates plans for which a financial improvement plan or a rehabilitation plan is either pending or has been implemented.

		Plan		Pension Protection Act Zone Status		FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented	Viad Contributions						Surcharge Paid	Expiration Date of Collective- Bargaining Agreement(s)
(in thousands)	EIN	No.		2017	2016		2017		2016		2015
Pension Fund:
Western Conference of  Teamsters Pension Plan	91-6145047		1	Green	Green	No	$	7,809	$	6,684	$	5,632	No	3/31/2020
Southern California Local 831—Employer Pension Fund(1)	95-6376874		1	Green	Green	No		3,087		2,805		2,485	No	8/31/2019
Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Pension Fund	36-6130207		1	Green	Yellow	Yes		2,390		2,532		1,887	No	5/31/2019
IBEW Local Union  No 357 Pension Plan A	88-6023284		1	Green	Green	No		1,682		1,402		1,150	No	6/16/2018
Electrical Contractors Assoc. Chicago Local Union 134, IBEW Joint Pension Trust of Chicago Plan #2	51-6030753		2	Green	Green	No		1,099		845		1,190	No	6/6/2021
Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan	36-6044243		1	Red	Red	Yes		1,060		1,151		948	No	12/31/2018
Southern California IBEW-NECA Pension Fund	95-6392774		1	Yellow	Yellow	Yes		905		701		835	Yes	continuous
Southwest Carpenters Pension Trust	95-6042875		1	Green	Green	No		883		791		750	No	6/30/2018
New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension	04-6372430		1	Red	Red	Yes		772		552		381	No	3/31/2022
Machinery Movers Riggers & Mach Erect Local 136 Supplemental Retirement Plan(1)	36-1416355		11	Red	Red	Yes		719		1,203		502	Yes	6/30/2019
Sign Pictorial & Display Industry Pension Plan(1)	94-6278490		1	Green	Green	No		654		526		541	No	3/31/2018
All other funds(2)								2,900		3,585		4,259
Total contributions to defined benefit plans								23,960		22,777		20,560
Total contributions to other plans								2,613		2,995		1,428
Total contributions to multi-employer plans							$	26,573	$	25,772	$	21,988

⁽¹⁾ We contributed more than 5% of total plan contributions for the 2016 and 2015 plan years based on the plans’ Form 5500s.

⁽²⁾ Represents participation in 35 pension funds during 2017.

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Other Employee Benefits

We match U.S. employee contributions to the 401(k) plan with shares of our common stock held in treasury up to 100% of the first 3% of a participant’s salary plus 50% of the next 2%. The expense associated with our match was $4.2 million for 2017, $3.9 million for 2016, and $3.7 million for 2015.  

Note 18. Restructuring Charges

GES Consolidation

We have taken certain restructuring actions designed to reduce our cost structure primarily within GES, as well as the elimination of certain positions at the corporate office. We implemented a strategic reorganization plan in order to consolidate the separate business units within GES U.S. We also consolidated facilities and streamlined our operations in the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Germany. As a result, we recorded restructuring charges in 2017, 2016, and 2015, primarily consisting of severance and related benefits as a result of workforce reductions and charges related to the consolidation and downsizing of facilities representing the remaining operating lease obligations (net of estimated sublease income) and related costs.

Other Restructurings

We recorded restructuring charges in connection with the consolidation of certain support functions at our corporate headquarters and certain reorganization activities within Pursuit. These charges primarily consist of severance and related benefits due to headcount reductions and charges related to the downsizing of facilities.

Changes to the restructuring liability by major restructuring activity are as follows:

	GES Consolidation						Other Restructurings
(in thousands)	Severance & Employee Benefits			Facilities			Severance & Employee Benefits			Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	543		$	1,161		$	240		$	1,944
Restructuring charges		1,767			587			602			2,956
Cash payments		(1,514	)		(457	)		(601	)		(2,572	)
Adjustment to liability		(45	)		—			(7	)		(52	)
Balance at December 31, 2015		751			1,291			234			2,276
Restructuring charges		3,693			759			731			5,183
Cash payments		(2,170	)		(1,150	)		(546	)		(3,866	)
Adjustment to liability		—			192			(3	)		189
Balance at December 31, 2016		2,274			1,092			416			3,782
Restructuring charges		442			265			297			1,004
Cash payments		(1,165	)		(550	)		(538	)		(2,253	)
Adjustment to liability		—			—			16			16
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	1,551		$	807		$	191		$	2,549

As of December 31, 2017, the liabilities related to severance and employee benefits are expected to be paid by the end of 2018. Additionally, the liability related to future lease payments will be paid over the remaining lease terms for GES. Refer to Note 22 – Segment Information, for information regarding restructuring charges by segment.

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Note 19. Leases and Other

We entered into operating leases for the use of certain of our offices, equipment, and other facilities. These leases expire over periods up to 40 years. Leases which expire are generally renewed or replaced by similar leases. Some leases contain scheduled rental increases accounted for on a straight-line basis.

As of December 31, 2017, our future minimum rental payments and related sublease rentals receivable with respect to non-cancelable operating leases with terms in excess of one year were as follows:

(in thousands)	Rental Payments		Receivable Under Subleases
2018	$	23,503	$	2,627
2019		20,299		2,384
2020		17,265		2,209
2021		8,812		2,267
2022		5,555		2,195
Thereafter		81,135		3,657
Total	$	156,569	$	15,339

Net rent expense under operating leases consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Minimum rentals	$	56,575		$	48,465		$	41,564
Sublease rentals		(1,525	)		(2,831	)		(3,457	)
Total rentals, net	$	55,050		$	45,634		$	38,107

The aggregate annual maturities and the related amounts representing interest on capital lease obligations are included in Note 11 – Debt and Capital Lease Obligations.

As of December 31, 2017, we had aggregate purchase obligations of $38.1 million related to various licensing agreements, consulting and other contracted services.

Note 20. Litigation, Claims, Contingencies, and Other

We are plaintiffs or defendants to various actions, proceedings, and pending claims, some of which involve, or may involve, compensatory, punitive, or other damages. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties and it is possible that some of the legal actions, proceedings, or claims could be decided against us. Although the amount of liability as of December 31, 2017 with respect to these matters is not ascertainable, we believe that any resulting liability, after taking into consideration amounts already provided for and insurance coverage, will not have a material effect on our business, financial position, or results of operations.

We are subject to various U.S. federal, state, and foreign laws and regulations governing the prevention of pollution and the protection of the environment in the jurisdictions in which we have or had operations. If we fail to comply with these environmental laws and regulations, civil and criminal penalties could be imposed and we could become subject to regulatory enforcement actions in the form of injunctions and cease and desist orders. As is the case with many companies, we also face exposure to actual or potential claims and lawsuits involving environmental matters relating to our past operations. As of December 31, 2017, we had recorded environmental remediation liabilities of $2.4 million related to previously sold operations. Although we are a party to certain environmental disputes, we believe that any resulting liabilities, after taking into consideration amounts already provided for and insurance coverage, will not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

As of December 31, 2017, on behalf of our subsidiaries, we had certain obligations under guarantees to third parties. These guarantees are not subject to liability recognition in the consolidated financial statements and relate to leased facilities entered into by our subsidiary operations. We would generally be required to make payments to the respective third parties under these guarantees in the event that the related subsidiary could not meet its own payment obligations. The maximum potential amount of future payments that we would be required to make under all guarantees existing as of December 31, 2017 would be $19.3 million. These guarantees relate to our leased facilities through October 2027. There are no recourse provisions that would enable us to recover from third parties any payments made under the guarantees. Furthermore, there are no collateral or similar arrangements whereby we could recover payments.

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A significant number of our employees are unionized and we are a party to approximately 100 collective-bargaining agreements, with approximately one-third requiring renegotiation each year. If we are unable to reach an agreement with a union during the collective-bargaining process, the union may call for a strike or work stoppage, which may, under certain circumstances, adversely impact our business and results of operations. We believe that relations with our employees are satisfactory and that collective-bargaining agreements expiring in 2018 will be renegotiated in the ordinary course of business without having a material adverse effect on our operations. We entered into showsite and warehouse agreements with the Chicago Teamsters Local 727, effective January 1, 2014, and those agreements contain provisions that allow the parties to re-open negotiation of the agreements on pension-related issues. We are in informal discussions regarding those issues with all relevant parties to resolve those issues in a manner that will be reasonable and equitable to employees, customers, and shareholders. Although our labor relations are currently stable, disruptions pending the outcome of the Chicago Teamsters Local 727 negotiations could occur, as they could with any collective-bargaining agreement negotiation, with the possibility of an adverse impact on the operating results of GES.

Our business contributes to various multi-employer pension plans based on obligations arising under collective-bargaining agreements covering our union-represented employees. Based upon the information available from plan administrators, we believe that several of these multi-employer plans are underfunded. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 requires pension plans underfunded at certain levels to reduce, over defined time periods, the underfunded status. In addition, under current laws, the termination of a plan, or a voluntary withdrawal from a plan by us, or a shrinking contribution base to a plan as a result of the insolvency or withdrawal of other contributing employers to such plan, would require us to make payments to such plan for our proportionate share of the plan’s unfunded vested liabilities. As of December 31, 2017, the amount of additional funding, if any, that we would be required to make related to multi-employer pension plans is not ascertainable.

We are self-insured up to certain limits for workers’ compensation, employee health benefits, automobile, product and general liability, and property loss claims. The aggregate amount of insurance liabilities (up to our retention limit) related to our continuing operations was $19.1 million as of December 31, 2017 which includes $13.8 million related to workers’ compensation liabilities, and $5.3 million related to general/auto liability claims. We have also retained and provided for certain insurance liabilities in conjunction with previously sold businesses of $2.9 million as of December 31, 2017, related to workers’ compensation liabilities. Provisions for losses for claims incurred, including estimated claims incurred but not yet reported, are made based on our historical experience, claims frequency, and other factors. A change in the assumptions used could result in an adjustment to recorded liabilities. We have purchased insurance for amounts in excess of the self-insured levels, which generally range from $0.2 million to $0.5 million on a per claim basis. We do not maintain a self-insured retention pool fund as claims are paid from current cash resources at the time of settlement. Our net cash payments in connection with these insurance liabilities were $5.5 million for 2017, $5.0 million for 2016, and $5.6 million for 2015.

In addition, as of December 31, 2017, we have recorded insurance liabilities of $10.4 million related to continuing operations, which represents the amount for which we remain the primary obligor after self-insured insurance limits, without taking into consideration the above-referenced insurance coverage. Of this total, $6.9 million related to workers’ compensation liabilities and $3.5 million related to general/auto liability claims which are recorded in other deferred items and liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets with a corresponding receivable in other investments.

Note 21. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

On November 3, 2017, we acquired the controlling interest (54.5% of the common stock) in Esja, a private corporation in Reykjavik, Iceland, which is developing and will operate a new FlyOver Iceland attraction.

The Esja acquisition contains a put option that gives the minority Esja shareholders the right to sell (or “put”) their Esja shares to us based on a multiple of 5.0x EBITDA as calculated on the trailing 12 months from the most recently completed quarter before the put option exercise. The put option is only exercisable after 36 months of business operation (the “Reference Date”) and if the FlyOver Iceland attraction has earned a minimum of €3.25 million in unadjusted EBITDA during the most recent fiscal year and during the trailing 12-month period prior to exercise (the “Put Option Condition”). The put option is exercisable during a period of 12 months following the Reference Date (the “Option Period”) and if the Put Option Condition has been met. If the Put Option Condition has not been met during the first Option Period, the Reference Date will be extended for an additional 12 months up to three times.  If after 72 months, the FlyOver Iceland attraction has not achieved the Put Option Condition, the put option expires. If the Put Option Condition is met during any of the Option Periods, yet the shares are not exercised prior to the end of the 12-month Option Period, the put option will expire.  

The noncontrolling interests’ carrying value is determined by the fair market value at acquisition and the subsequent noncontrolling interests’ share of net income or loss. This value is benchmarked against the redemption value of the sellers’ put option. The carrying value is adjusted to the latter, provided that it does not fall below the initial carrying values, as determined by the purchase price allocation. We have made a policy election to reflect any changes caused by such an adjustment in retained earnings, rather than in current earnings.

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Changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests are as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	—
Redeemable noncontrolling interest related to 2017 acquisition		6,735
Adjustment to the redemption value		(30	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(57	)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	6,648

Note 22. Segment Information

We measure the profit and performance of our operations on the basis of segment operating income which excludes restructuring charges and impairment charges and recoveries. Intersegment sales are eliminated in consolidation and intersegment transfers are not significant. Corporate activities include expenses not allocated to operations. Depreciation and amortization and share-based compensation expense are the only significant non-cash items for the reportable segments.

Our reportable segments, with reconciliations to consolidated totals, are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Revenue:
GES:
U.S.	$	872,154		$	826,408		$	720,882
International		282,712			248,503			272,634
Intersegment eliminations		(21,769	)		(20,172	)		(16,638	)
Total GES		1,133,097			1,054,739			976,878
Pursuit		173,868			153,364			112,170
Corporate eliminations (1)		—			(3,133	)		—
Total revenue	$	1,306,965		$	1,204,970		$	1,089,048
Segment operating income:
GES:
U.S.	$	34,494		$	40,524		$	14,563
International		15,475			9,699			12,211
Total GES		49,969			50,223			26,774
Pursuit		47,082			35,705			27,810
Segment operating income		97,051			85,928			54,584
Corporate eliminations (1)		67			(743	)		—
Corporate activities		(12,877	)		(10,322	)		(9,720	)
Operating income		84,241			74,863			44,864
Interest income		319			1,165			658
Interest expense		(8,304	)		(5,898	)		(4,535	)
Restructuring recoveries (charges):
GES U.S.		354			(2,893	)		(541	)
GES International		(1,061	)		(1,559	)		(1,813	)
Pursuit		(86	)		(171	)		(200	)
Corporate		(211	)		(560	)		(402	)
Impairment recoveries (charges):
Pursuit		29,098			(218	)		(96	)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	104,350		$	64,729		$	37,935

⁽¹⁾ Corporate eliminations during 2017 represent the elimination of depreciation expense recorded by Pursuit associated with previously eliminated intercompany profit realized by GES for renovations to Pursuit’s Banff Gondola. Corporate eliminations recorded during 2016 represent the elimination of intercompany revenue and profit realized by GES for work completed on renovations to Pursuit’s Banff Gondola.

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	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016			2015
Assets:
GES:
U.S.	$	380,909	$	380,951		$	294,618
International		135,917		109,705			115,494
Pursuit		350,256		301,941			195,527
Corporate and other		52,817		77,219			85,084
	$	919,899	$	869,816		$	690,723
Depreciation and amortization:
GES:
U.S.	$	29,088	$	21,473		$	18,658
International		8,176		8,092			8,435
Pursuit		17,653		12,967			7,974
Corporate and other		197		211			164
	$	55,114	$	42,743		$	35,231
Capital expenditures:
GES:
U.S.	$	17,337	$	14,291		$	8,066
International		8,084		5,033			8,366
Pursuit		30,786		31,861			13,107
Corporate and other(1)		414		(1,370	)		300
	$	56,621	$	49,815		$	29,839

⁽¹⁾ The 2016 amount includes an intercompany elimination for work completed by GES on renovations to Pursuit’s Banff Gondola.

Geographic Areas

Our foreign operations are located principally in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands. GES revenue is designated as domestic or foreign based on the originating location of the product or service. Long-lived assets are attributed to domestic or foreign based principally on the physical location of the assets. Long-lived assets consist of “Property and equipment, net” and “Other investments and assets.” The table below presents the financial information by major geographic area:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Revenue:
United States	$	913,210	$	855,304	$	726,436
EMEA		209,824		205,028		220,046
Canada		183,931		144,638		142,566
Total revenue	$	1,306,965	$	1,204,970	$	1,089,048
Long-lived assets:
United States	$	180,345	$	182,611	$	139,479
EMEA		43,630		37,083		15,714
Canada		129,108		104,461		71,677
Total long-lived assets	$	353,083	$	324,155	$	226,870

Note 23. Common Stock Repurchases

We previously announced our Board of Directors’ authorization to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices. No open market repurchases were made during 2017 or 2016. During 2015, we repurchased 141,462 shares on the open market for $3.8 million. As of December 31, 2017, 440,540 shares remain available for repurchase. We repurchased 41,532 shares for $2.1 million in 2017, 25,432 shares for $0.7 million in 2016, and 35,649 shares for $1.0 million in 2015 related to tax withholding requirements on vested share-based awards.

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Note 24. Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

The following table sets forth selected unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information:

	2017												2016
(in thousands, except per share data)	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter			First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter
Revenue:	$	325,807		$	364,774		$	339,099		$	277,285		$	241,362		$	324,747		$	382,465		$	256,396
Operating income (loss):
Ongoing operations (1)	$	12,684		$	39,402		$	47,066		$	(4,726	)	$	(6,280	)	$	34,014		$	58,917		$	(1,466	)
Corporate activities		(2,610	)		(3,008	)		(4,474	)		(2,785	)		(1,911	)		(2,707	)		(2,772	)		(2,932	)
Restructuring charges		(394	)		(168	)		(255	)		(187	)		(992	)		(975	)		(1,697	)		(1,519	)
Impairment recoveries (charges)		2,384			2,247			24,467			—			—			—			(120	)		(98	)
Operating income (loss)	$	12,064		$	38,473		$	66,804		$	(7,698	)	$	(9,183	)	$	30,332		$	54,328		$	(6,015	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Viad	$	7,593		$	27,438		$	44,758		$	(21,814	)	$	(6,797	)	$	19,873		$	34,013		$	(4,136	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad	$	6,777		$	27,947		$	44,657		$	(21,674	)	$	(6,983	)	$	19,509		$	33,792		$	(4,049	)
Basic and Diluted income (loss) per common share: (2)
Continuing operations attributable to Viad	$	0.37		$	1.35		$	2.19		$	(1.08	)	$	(0.34	)	$	0.98		$	1.68		$	(0.21	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	0.33		$	1.37		$	2.19		$	(1.07	)	$	(0.35	)	$	0.96		$	1.67		$	(0.20	)

⁽¹⁾ Represents revenue less costs of services and cost of products sold.

⁽²⁾ The sum of quarterly income per share amounts may not equal annual income per share due to rounding.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Viad Corp

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Viad Corp and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 28, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Phoenix, Arizona

February 28, 2018

We have served as the Company’s auditor since at least 1929, however the specific year has not been determined.

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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

We have established disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management, together with our CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2017. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2017.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by our board of directors, our management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that:

• Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;

• Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and

• Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

Because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Because of the inherent limitations of internal control, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.

Our management performed an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting using the criteria described in the “Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013),” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The objective of this assessment was to determine whether our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017.

Based on our assessment, we concluded that, as of December 31, 2017, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

Our independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has issued a report relating to our audit of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, which appears on the following page of this 2017 Form 10-K.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Viad Corp

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Viad Corp and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017, of the Company and our report dated February 28, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule.

Basis for Opinion  

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Phoenix, Arizona

February 28, 2018

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Item 9B. Other Information

Not applicable.

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PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Information regarding our directors, director nomination procedures, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, and compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, are included in our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 17, 2018 (the “Proxy Statement”), under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance,” and “Information on Stock Ownership,” and are incorporated herein by reference. Information regarding our executive officers is located in Part I, “Other – Executive Officers of the Registrant” of this 2017 Form 10-K.

We adopted a Code of Ethics for all of our directors, officers and employees. A copy of our Code of Ethics is available at our website at www.viad.com/about-us/corporate-governance/documents-and-charters/default.aspx and is also available without charge to any shareholder upon written request to: Viad Corp, 1850 North Central Avenue, Suite 1900, Phoenix, Arizona 85004-4565, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Information in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance,” and “Executive Compensation” is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Information in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Executive Compensation” and “Information on Stock Ownership” is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Information in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance” is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Information regarding principal accounting fees and services and the pre-approval policies and procedures for such fees and services, as adopted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, is contained in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Ratification of the Appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Viad’s Independent Public Accountants for 2018” and is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV

Item 15.Exhibits AND Financial Statement Schedule

(a) Financial Statements and Schedule

See Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule at Item 8 of this 2017 Form 10-K.

(b) Exhibit Index

89

		Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number	Exhibit Description	Form	Period Ending	Exhibit	Filing Date
3.A	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Viad Corp, as amended through July 1, 2004 (SEC File No. 001-11015; SEC Film No. 04961107).	10-Q	6/30/2004	3.A	8/9/2004
3.B	Bylaws of Viad Corp, as amended through December 5, 2013.	8-K		3	12/9/2013
4.A1	$300,000,000 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, Guaranty, and Amended and Restated Subsidiary Pledge and Security Agreement, by and among the Registrant, the initial lenders named therein, and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, dated as of December 22, 2014.	8-K		4	12/23/2014
4.A2	Amendment No. 1, effective as of February 24, 2016, to the $300,000,000 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, by and among the Registrant, the initial lenders named therein, and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, dated as of December 22, 2014.	8-K		4	3/1/2016
4.A3	Joinder to Guaranty, dated as of August 31, 2016, by and among CIRI Alaska Tourism Corporation, the lenders named therein, and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent, to Guaranty dated as of December 22, 2014.	8-K		4.A	9/2/2016
4.A4	Joinder to Amended and Restated Subsidiary Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2016, among CIRI Alaska Tourism Corporation, the guarantors thereunder, to and in favor of JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent.	8-K		4.B	9/2/2016
4.A5	Joinder to Guaranty, dated as of July 14, 2017, by and among ON Services and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent, in favor of the agent and the lender parties thereto.	10-Q	6/30/2017	4.1	8/4/2017
4.A6	Joinder to Amended and Restated Subsidiary Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of July 14, 2017, by and among ON Services and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent, in favor of the agent and the lender parties thereto.	10-Q	6/30/2017	4.2	8/4/2017
4.B1	Credit Agreement, by and between Brewster Inc. and BMO Harris Bank N.A., dated as of December 28, 2016.	8-K		4	1/3/2017
4.B2	Joinder to Guaranty Supplement No. 1, dated as of August 31, 2017, by and among ON Services – AV Specialists, Inc., the guarantors thereunder, to and in favor of BMO Harris Bank, N.A., to Guaranty dated as of December 28, 2016.	10-Q	9/30/2017	4.1	11/6/2017
4.B3	First Amendment to Credit Agreement and Reaffirmation of Guaranties effective as of December 6, 2017, to the Credit Agreement, among Brewster Inc., and BMO Harris Bank N.A., dated as of December 28, 2016.	8-K		4.1	12/14/2017

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10.A1	+	2007 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan, filed as Appendix A to Viad Corp’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.	DEF 14A		4/13/2012
10.A2	+	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement - Executives, (three-year cliff vesting), effective as of March 26, 2014, pursuant to the 2007 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan.	8-K	10.A	3/28/2014
10.A3	+	Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement, effective as of March 26, 2014, pursuant to the 2007 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan.	8-K	10.B	3/28/2014
10.A4	+	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Outside Directors, effective as of February 25, 2008, pursuant to the 2007 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan.	8-K	10.F	2/28/2008
10.A5	+	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, effective as of February 25, 2010, pursuant to the 2007 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan.	8-K	10.B	2/26/2010
10.A6	+	Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement, effective as of February 25, 2010, pursuant to the 2007 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan.	8-K	10.A	2/26/2010
10.A7	+	Viad Corp Management Incentive Plan, amended as of February 27, 2013, pursuant to the 2007 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan.	8-K	10.C	3/5/2013
10.A8	+	Viad Corp Performance Unit Incentive Plan, effective as of February 27, 2013, pursuant to the 2007 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan.	8-K	10.D	3/5/2013
10.A9	+	Amendment to the Viad Corp Performance Unit Incentive Plan, as amended February 27, 2013 pursuant to the 2007 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan, effective as of February 24, 2016.	8-K	10.B	3/1/2016
10.A10	+	Form of Performance Unit Agreement, effective as of March 26, 2014, pursuant to the 2007 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan.	8-K	10.C	3/28/2014
10.A11	+	Form of Performance Unit Agreement, effective as of February 24, 2016, pursuant to the 2007 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan.	8-K	10.A	3/1/2016
10.B1	+	2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan, effective as of May 18, 2017.	8-K	10.1	5/23/2017
10.B2	+	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement – Executives, effective as of May 18, 2017, pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan.	8-K	10.3	5/23/2017
10.B3	+	Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement, effective as of May 18, 2017, pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan.	8-K	10.4	5/23/2017

91

10.B4	+ *	Form of Management Incentive Plan (MIP) Administrative Guidelines, effective February 27, 2018, pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan, effective as of May 18, 2017.
10.B5	+ *	Form of Management Incentive Plan, effective as of February 27, 2018, pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan, effective as of May 18, 2017.
10.B6	+ *	Form of Performance Unit Incentive Plan (“PUP”) Administrative Guidelines, effective February 27, 2018, pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan, effective as of May 18, 2017.
10.B7	+ *	Form of 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan Performance Unit Agreement, effective February 27, 2018, pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan, effective as of May 18, 2017.
10.B8	+ *	Form of Viad Corp Performance Unit Incentive Plan, effective as of February 27, 2018, pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan, effective as of May 18, 2017.
10.B9	+	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement – Non-Employee Directors, effective as of May 18, 2017, pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan.	8-K		10.2	5/23/2017
10.B10	+ *	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement – Non-Employee Directors, effective as of February 27, 2018, pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan.
10.C1	+	Forms of Viad Corp Executive Severance Plans (Tier I and II), amended and restated for Code Section 409A as of January 1, 2005.	8-K		10.B	8/29/2007
10.C2	+	Form of Viad Corp Executive Severance Plan (Tier I-2013) effective as February 27, 2013.	8-K		10.B	3/5/2013
10.C3	+	Amendment No. 1 to Viad Corp Executive Severance Plan (Tier I), effective as of February 26, 2014.	8-K		10	3/4/2014
10.C4	+	Severance Agreement (No Change in Control) between Viad Corp and Steven W. Moster, effective as of December 3, 2014.	8-K		10.B	12/5/2014
10.C5	+	Severance Agreement (No Change in Control) between Viad Corp and David W. Barry, effective as of April 22, 2015.	10-K	12/31/2015	10H.4	3/11/2016
10.C6	+	Severance Agreement and General Release between Viad Corp and Thomas M. Kuczynski, effective as of April 27, 2016.	8-K/A		10	4/22/2016
10.C7	+	Severance Agreement and General Release between Viad Corp and Deborah J. DePaoli, effective as of November 29, 2017.	8-K/A		10.1	12/1/2017
10.D1	+	Viad Corp Supplemental TRIM Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2005 for Code Section 409A.	8-K		10.E	8/29/2007

92

10.E1	+	Viad Corp Supplemental Pension Plan, amended and restated as of January 1, 2005 for Code Section 409A.	8-K		10.A	8/29/2007
10.F1	+	Viad Corp Defined Contribution Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, effective as of January 1, 2013.	8-K		10.E	3/5/2013
10.G1	+	Executive Officer Pay Continuation Policy adopted February 7, 2007.	8-K		10.A	2/13/2007
10.H1	+ *	Description of Viad Corp Directors Matching 2018 Matching Gift Program.
10.I1	+	Form of Indemnification Agreement between Viad Corp and Directors of Viad Corp, as approved by Viad Corp stockholders on October 16, 1987.	10-K	12/31/2008	10.1	2/27/2009
10.J1	+	Summary of Compensation Program of Non-Employee Directors of Viad Corp, effective as of February 23, 2016.	10-K	12/31/2015	10.K1	3/11/2016
21	*	List of Viad Corp Subsidiaries.
23	*	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm to the incorporation by reference into specified registration statements on Form S-8 of its report contained in this Annual Report.
24	*	Power of Attorney signed by Viad Corp Directors.
31.1	# *	Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Viad Corp pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	# *	Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Viad Corp pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	# **	Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Viad Corp pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS	*	XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH	*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL	*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF	*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB	*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE	*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

* Filed herewith

** Furnished herewith.

+ Management contract or compensation plan or arrangement.

93

# A signed original of this written statement has been provided to Viad Corp and will be retained by Viad Corp and furnished to the SEC upon request.

Item 16.Form 10-K summary

None.

94

VIAD CORP

SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

			Additions				Deductions
(in thousands)	Balance at Beginning of Year		Charged to Expense		Charged to Other Accounts		Write-Offs			Other(1)			Balance at End of Year
Allowances for doubtful accounts:
December 31, 2015		1,258		955		574		(1,162	)		(32	)		1,593
December 31, 2016		1,593		1,355		41		(1,602	)		(45	)		1,342
December 31, 2017		1,342		2,470	49			(1,529	)		(309	)		2,023
Deferred tax valuation allowance:
December 31, 2015		3,295		—		402		(860	)		—			2,837
December 31, 2016		2,837		1,406		—		(176	)		(69	)		3,998
December 31, 2017		3,998		1,385		—		(1,595	)		222			4,010

⁽¹⁾ “Other” primarily includes foreign exchange translation adjustments.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 28, 2018.

VIAD CORP
By:	/s/ Steven W. Moster
	Steven W. Moster
	President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of Viad Corp and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

		Principal Executive Officer
Date:	February 28, 2018	By:	/s/ Steven W. Moster
			Steven W. Moster
			President and Chief Executive Officer
		Principal Financial Officer
Date:	February 28, 2018	By:	/s/ Ellen M. Ingersoll
			Ellen M. Ingersoll
			Chief Financial Officer
		Principal Accounting Officer
Date:	February 28, 2018	By:	/s/ Leslie S. Striedel
			Leslie S. Striedel
			Chief Accounting Officer
		Directors
		Andrew B. Benett*
		Isabella Cunningham*
		Richard H. Dozer*
		Virginia L. Henkels*
		Edward E. Mace*
		Robert E. Munzenrider*
		Joshua E. Schechter*
Date:	February 28, 2018	By:	/s/ Ellen M. Ingersoll
			Ellen M. Ingersoll
			Attorney-in-Fact

* Pursuant to power of attorney filed as Exhibit 24 to this 2017 Form 10-K

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EX-10.B10

Exhibit 10.B10

2017 VIAD CORP OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT - NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

Effective as of February 27, 2018

Shares of Restricted Stock are hereby awarded by Viad Corp (“Corporation”), a Delaware corporation, effective ___________, 20___, to _________ (“Director”) in accordance with the following terms and conditions:

1.  Share Award.The Corporation hereby awards the Director________ Shares (“Shares”) of Common Stock, par value $1.50 per share (“Common Stock”) of the Corporation pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan (“Plan”), subject to the terms, conditions, and restrictions of such Plan and as hereinafter set forth.

2. Restrictions on Transfer and Restriction Period.

(a)During the period commencing on the effective date hereof (“Commencement Date”) and terminating 1 year thereafter (“Restriction Period”), the Shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, or otherwise encumbered by the Director, except as hereinafter provided. The Restriction Period shall lapse and full ownership of Shares will vest at the end of the Restriction Period, subject to forfeiture and repayment pursuant to paragraph 3.

(b)The Board of Directors (“Board”) shall have the authority, in its discretion, to accelerate the time at which any or all of the restrictions shall lapse with respect to any Shares, prior to the expiration of the Restriction Period with respect thereto, or to remove any or all of such restrictions, whenever the Board may determine that such action is appropriate by reason of change in applicable tax or other law, or other change in circumstances.

3.Forfeiture and Repayment Provisions.

(a)Termination of Service.Except as provided in this paragraph 3 and in paragraph 8 below or as otherwise may be determined by the Board in its absolute discretion on a case by case basis, if the Director's service ceases with the Corporation for any reason (other than termination for Cause, as defined below), full ownership of the Shares will occur upon lapse of the Restriction Period as set forth in paragraph 2 and dividends will be paid through such period, in each case on a pro-rata basis, calculated based on the percentage of time such  Director served as a director of the Corporation from the Commencement Date through the date such Director ceases to be a director of the Corporation; provided, however that full ownership of the shares (versus pro rata ownership) will occur upon lapse of the Restriction Period if termination of service is at least 6 months subsequent to the date of grant and Director has terminated service due to unforeseen hardship or circumstances beyond the control of Director, as reasonably determined by the Human Resources Committee of the Board, in its absolute discretion. If the Director's service ceases with the Corporation by reason of death or total or partial disability, full ownership of the shares will occur to the extent not previously earned, upon lapse of the Restriction Period as set forth in

1

Paragraph 2.   As used herein, the term "Cause" means (1) the conviction of a participant for committing a felony under federal law or the law of the state in which such action occurred, (2) dishonesty in the course of fulfilling a participant's employment duties or (3) willful and deliberate failure on the part of a participant to perform his employment duties in any material respect, or such other events as will be determined by the Committee.  The Committee will have the sole discretion to determine whether "Cause" exists, and its determination will be final.

(b)Non-Compete.  Unless a Change of Control (as defined in the Plan) shall have occurred after the date hereof:

(i)In order to better protect the goodwill of the Corporation and its Affiliates and to prevent the disclosure of the Corporation's or its Affiliates' trade secrets and confidential information and thereby help insure the long-term success of the business, Director, without prior written consent of the Corporation, will not engage in any activity or provide any services, whether as a director, manager, supervisor, employee, adviser, agent, consultant, owner of more than five (5) percent of any enterprise or otherwise, for a period of eighteen (18) months following the date of Director's termination of service with the Corporation in connection with the manufacture, development, advertising, promotion, design, or sale of any service or product which is the same as or similar to or competitive with any services or products of the Corporation or its Affiliates (including both existing services or products as well as services or products known to the Director, as a consequence of Director's service with the Corporation to be in development):

(1)with respect to which Director's work has been directly concerned at any time during the two (2) years preceding termination of service with the Corporation or one of its Affiliates, or

(2)with respect to which during that period of time Director, as a consequence of Director's job performance and duties, acquired knowledge of trade secrets or other confidential information of the Corporation or its Affiliates.

(ii)For purposes of the provisions of paragraph 3(b), it shall be conclusively presumed that  Director has knowledge of information he or she was directly exposed to through actual receipt or review of memos or documents containing such information, or through actual attendance at meetings at which such information was discussed or disclosed.

(iii)All Shares subject to the restrictions imposed by paragraph 2 above shall be forfeited and returned to the Corporation, if Director engages in any conduct agreed to be avoided pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 3(b) at any time within eighteen (18) months following the date of Director’s termination of service with the Corporation.

(iv)  If, at any time within  eighteen (18) months following the date of  Director's termination of  service with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, Director engages in any conduct agreed to be avoided pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 3(b), then all consideration (without regard to tax effects) received directly or indirectly by Director from the sale or other disposition of all Shares which vest during the two (2) year period prior to Director's

2

termination from service shall be paid by Director to the Corporation, or such Shares shall be returned to the Corporation.  Director consents to the deduction from any amounts the Corporation or any of its Affiliates owes to Director to the extent of the amounts Director owes the Corporation hereunder.

(c)Misconduct.  Unless a Change of Control shall have occurred after the date hereof:

(i)All consideration (without regard to tax effects) received directly or indirectly by Director from the sale or other disposition of the Shares shall be paid by Director to the Corporation or such Shares shall be returned to the Corporation, if the Corporation reasonably determines that during Director's service with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates:

(1)   Director knowingly or grossly negligently engaged in misconduct that causes a misstatement of the financial statements of Viad or any of its Affiliates or misconduct which represents a material violation of any code of ethics of the Corporation applicable to Director or of the Always Honest compliance program or similar program of the Corporation; or

(2)   Director was aware of and failed to report, as required by any code of ethics of the Corporation applicable to Director or by the Always Honest compliance program or similar program of the Corporation, misconduct that causes a misstatement of the financial statements of Viad or any of its Affiliates or misconduct which represents a material knowing violation of any code of ethics of the Corporation applicable to Director or of the Always Honest compliance program or similar program of the Corporation.

(ii)Director consents to the deduction from any amounts the Corporation or any of its Affiliates owes to Director to the extent of the amounts Director owes the Corporation under this paragraph 3(c).

(d)Acts Contrary to Corporation.  Unless a Change of Control shall have occurred after the date hereof, if the Corporation reasonably determines that at any time within two (2) years after the lapse of the Restriction Period Director has acted significantly contrary to the best interests of the Corporation, including, but not limited to, any direct or indirect intentional disparagement of the Corporation, then all consideration (without regard to tax effects) received directly or indirectly by Director from the sale or other disposition of all Shares which vest during the two (2) year period prior to the Corporation's determination shall be paid by Director to the Corporation, or such Shares shall be returned to the Corporation.  Director consents to the deduction from any amounts the Corporation or any of its Affiliates owes to Director to the extent of the amounts Director owes the Corporation under this paragraph 3(d).

(e)The Corporation’s reasonable determination required under paragraphs 3(c)(i) and 3(d) shall be made by the Human Resources Committee of the Corporation’s Board of Directors.

3

4.  Certificates for the Shares.The Corporation shall issue Shares in book entry or certificated form in the name of the Director, the number of Shares of which shall equal the amount of the award specified herein, and shall hold such Shares on deposit for the account of the Director until the expiration of the restrictions set forth in paragraph 2 above with respect to the Shares represented thereby. The Shares, if in certificated form, shall bear the following legend:

The transferability of this certificate and the Shares of stock represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including forfeiture) contained in the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan and an Agreement entered into between the registered owner and Viad Corp. Copies of such Plan and Agreement are on file with the General Counsel of Viad Corp, 1850 North Central Avenue, Suite 1900, Phoenix, Arizona 85004-4565.

The Director agrees that he or she shall execute, at the request of the Corporation, a stock power covering such award endorsed in blank and that he or she shall promptly deliver such stock power to the Corporation.

5.  Director's Rights.Except as otherwise provided herein, the Director, as owner of the Shares, shall have all rights of a shareholder, including, but not limited to, the right to receive all dividends paid on the Shares and the right to vote the Shares.

6.  Expiration of Restriction Period.

(a)Upon the lapse or expiration of the Restriction Period with respect to any Shares, the Corporation shall deliver such Shares to the Director (reduced to the extent provided in paragraph 3(a) in the event service is terminated prior to lapse of the Restriction Period) together with the related stock power, if any, held by the Corporation pursuant to paragraph 4 above.  The Shares as to which the Restriction Period shall have lapsed or expired shall be free of the restrictions referred to in paragraph 2 above and such certificate shall not bear thereafter the legend provided for in paragraph 4 above.

(b)To the extent permissible under applicable tax, securities, and other laws, the Corporation will permit Director to satisfy a tax withholding requirement by directing the Corporation to apply Shares to which Director is entitled as a result of termination of the Restricted Period with respect to any Shares of Restricted Stock, in such manner as the Corporation shall choose in its discretion to satisfy such requirement.

7.Adjustments for Changes in Capitalization of Corporation.In the event of a change in the Common Stock through stock dividends, stock splits, recapitalization or other changes in the corporate structure of the Corporation during the Restriction Period, the number of Shares of Common Stock subject to restrictions as set forth herein shall be appropriately adjusted and the determination of the Board of Directors of the Corporation as to any such adjustments shall be final, conclusive and binding upon the Director.  Any Shares of Common Stock or other securities

4

received, as a result of the foregoing, by the Director with respect to Shares subject to the restrictions contained in paragraph 2 above also shall be subject to such restrictions and the certificate(s) or other instruments, if any, representing or evidencing such Shares or securities shall be legended and deposited with the Corporation, along with an executed stock power, in the manner provided in paragraph 4 above.

8.Effect of Change in Control.In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), the restrictions applicable to any Shares awarded hereby shall lapse, and such Shares shall be free of all restrictions and become fully vested and transferable to the full extent of the original grant.

9.Plan and Plan Interpretations as Controlling.The Shares hereby awarded and the terms and conditions herein set forth are subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which are controlling. The Plan provides that the Human Resources Committee of the Corporation’s Board of Directors may from time to time make changes therein, interpret it and establish regulations for the administration thereof.  The Director, by acceptance of this Agreement, agrees to be bound by said Plan and such Committee actions.

10.Compliance with Law.  Shares may not be issued hereunder, or delivered or redelivered, whenever such issuance, delivery or redelivery would be contrary to law or the regulations of any governmental authority having jurisdiction.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Restricted Stock Agreement to be duly executed.

Dated:  ___________, 20__VIAD CORP

By: ___________________

ATTEST:

______________________

This Restricted Stock Agreement shall be effective only upon execution by Director and delivery to and receipt by the Corporation.

ACCEPTED:

______________________

Director

5

EX-10.B4

Exhibit 10.B4

VIAD CORP

MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN (MIP)

ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES

EFFECTIVE MAY 18, 2017

PURPOSE: To provide, as contemplated by the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan ("Plan"), an annual incentive for key executives and employees to achieve financial and other performance measures established annually by the Human Resources Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors.

PARTICIPATION:

Eligibility Limited to those executives and employees who significantly affect operating results or corporate functions.

Participants must be recommended at the beginning of each year by Operating Group Presidents or Corporate Staff Officers and be approved by the Viad Corp Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), with the exception of Section 16 Executive Officers (the “Executive Officers” or “Executive Officer”) who are approved by the Committee.  In all instances where these guidelines refer to the Chief Executive Officer or CEO as being authorized to take action, when the reference is with respect to any awards to Executive Officers, the power to act will be exercised exclusively by the Committee which within Viad serves the purposes of the Compensation Committee referenced in the IRC 162(m) regulations.

• Corporate employees with a position reporting directly to an Executive Officer, or occupying salary grade 26 or above.  The participant must be a current employee at the time any award is paid out, subject to the terms of the Plan, unless special arrangements are made via a severance agreement, provided that in the case of an Executive Officer, no agreement shall award any portion of a bonus unless the performance criteria have, in fact, been achieved.

• Operating Group employees occupying salary grade 26 or equivalent level or above.  The participant must be a current employee at the time any award is paid out, subject to the terms of the Plan, unless special arrangements are made via a severance agreement, provided that in the case of an Executive Officer, no agreement shall award any portion of a bonus unless the performance criteria have, in fact, been achieved.

• Executive Officers' participation and target award levels must be approved by the Committee within 90 days of the beginning of the Plan Year.

• May not be a participant in any other annual bonus or incentive plan.

• For purposes of 162(m), an Executive Officer's bonus award may be reduced, but may not be increased from the formula/amount achieved and no reduction of another employee’s bonus award will increase the amount otherwise payable to an Executive Officer.

TERMS: Participation and payment of awards will be subject to such terms, conditions, covenants, forfeiture, repayment and other provisions as may be determined by the Committee.

PLAN DESIGN: Under MIP, key Operating Group and Corporate executives or employees may earn an incentive bonus based on a combination of Performance Measures selected by the Committee, with such measures to be established by the Committee on an annual basis.

AWARD APPROVAL: Recommendations on payment of individual bonus amounts are generally made by the CEO to the Committee for approval in February following the conclusion of a Plan year.

Achievement of a Company's financial and other goals alone does not guarantee payment of an incentive award.  The Operating Group President, the CEO and the Committee may use discretion, thereby increasing or decreasing an award to recognize the performance of each individual participant (except Executive Officers, whose awards may only be reduced).

The Committee may provide that threshold performance with respect to one or more measures is required before any bonus award can be earned with respect to other measures.

TARGET BONUS: Target bonus guidelines are established for each participant, dependent upon organizational reporting relationships and other factors.  At Corporate, the range of bonus as a percent of salary is from 10% to 90%, and at the Operating Group level, the range of bonus as a percent of salary is from 10% to 55%, in each case subject to upward or downward adjustments of percentages by the Committee.

The following tables are to be used as guidelines for target bonus percentages:

	As a Percentage of Base Salary Earnings based on Company Achievement*
Operating Group and Subsidiary Positions**	Threshold*** (Based on Threshold Company Achievement Level)	Target (Based on Target Company Achievement Level)	Cap (Based on Maximum Company Achievement Level)	Maximum Company Achievement Level
Group President	27.5%	55%	96.25%	175.0%
Company President, Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, and Other Operating Executives	22.5% 20.0% 17.5%	45.0% 40.0% 35.0%	78.75% 70.0% 61.25%	175.0% 175.0% 175.0%
Vice Presidents	15.0% 12.5%	30.0% 25.0%	45.0% 37.5%	150.0% 150.0%
Key Management	12.5% 10.0% 7.5%	25.0% 20.0% 15.0%	31.25% 25.00% 18.75%	125.0% 125.0% 125.0%
	5.0%	10.0%	12.5%	125.0%

* Base salary earnings refers to the salary paid to the executive or employee during the performance year, including any adjustments approved by the Committee at a meeting prior to or contemporaneous with establishment of the target bonus percentages for the performance period, even though such adjustments, if any, ordinarily do not take effect until  1^st of April each year.

** Target Bonus, as determined by the Committee, is dependent upon grade level of position held, organizational reporting level and other factors.

2

*** Reflects minimum achievement of all performance targets.

	As a Percentage of Base Salary Earnings based on Company Achievement*
Corporate Positions	Threshold*** (Based on Threshold Company Achievement Level)	Target (Based on Target Company Achievement Level)	Cap (Based on Maximum Company Achievement Level)	Maximum Company Achievement Level
President & CEO	40.0%	90.0%	140.0%	175%
Senior Advisory Group	30.0% 27.5% 25.0%	60.0% 55.0% 50.0%	105.0% 96.25% 87.50%	175% 175% 175%
Corporate Staff Officers	20.0% 17.5%	40.0% 35.0%	70.0% 61.25%	175% 175%
Key Management**	15.0% 12.5%	30.0% 25.0%	45.0% 37.5%	150% 150%
	10.0%   7.5% 5.0%	20.0% 15.0% 10.0%	25.0% 18.75% 12.5%	125% 125% 125%

* Base salary earnings refers to the salary paid to the executive or employee during the performance year, including any adjustments approved by the Committee at a meeting prior to or contemporaneous with establishment of the target bonus percentages for the performance period, even though such adjustments, if any, ordinarily do not take effect until the 1^st of April each year.

** Target Bonus, as determined by the Committee, is dependent upon grade level of position held, organizational reporting level and other factors.

*** Reflects minimum of achievement of all performance targets.

TARGET AWARD:See example below:

• Base Salary Earnings =$100,000

• Target Bonus=30%

• Capped Award=150% of Target Award

Target Bonus %	Cap
30%          x	150%	=45% of Base Salary Earnings or
Base Salary Earnings	Target Bonus %	Target Award	Capped Award
$100,000  x	30%	= $30,000  x	150%	= $45,000 (45% of Base Salary Earnings)

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BONUS POOL: Bonus accruals occur when the threshold of the goal, as determined by the Human Resources Committee, is achieved and accruals increase ratably with increased achievement.  Operating Group and Corporate bonuses are generally capped at 175% of target for senior executives, 150% of target for senior management and 125% of target for managerial staff. The cap is based upon the target bonus percentage as described below:

Target Bonus Percentage	Cap
10% - 20%	125%
25% - 30%	150%
35% +	175%

Under no circumstances may the aggregate recommended bonuses for an Operating Group or Corporate exceed the total Bonus Pool generated by the formula.  The Pool is derived by taking the sum of all earned bonuses using the following formula:

  Base Salary Earnings        x Target Bonus %       x Company Achievement

AWARD LIMIT: The 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan places a limit on the aggregate dollar amount of cash awards payable to one person in any one Plan Year at $5,000,000.  

AWARD

CALCULATION: Calculation of financial achievement is made by the Viad Controller's Department, typically by the end of January following the end of the Performance Period and, in the case of Operating Groups, following consultation with Viad's Chief Financial Officer and the Finance and Accounting staff of the Operating Groups.

Human Resources business partners and financial and accounting staff using spreadsheets, prepared by executive compensation Human Resources staff, calculate earned bonus amounts for Operating Group President review/approval.  He or she uses discretion in determining the recommended individual awards based on individual contribution.  These recommendations and calculations are then reviewed and audited by executive compensation Human Resources staff for MIP and Plan compliance and reviewed with the CEO prior to submission to the Committee for review and action.  Achievement of performance goals and the amount of payment, if any, resulting from such achievement must be approved by the Committee prior to any payment to the Executive Officers, and without such written certification, no payment will be made to such employees.

The CEO does not have authority to approve MIP awards.  

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EX-10.B5

Exhibit 10.B5

VIAD CORP

MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

Pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan

(Effective as of February 27, 2018)

I.PURPOSE:

The purpose of the Viad Corp Management Incentive Plan (Plan) is to provide key executives of Viad Corp (Viad) and its subsidiaries with an incentive to achieve goals as set forth under this Plan for each calendar year (Plan Year) for their respective companies and to provide effective management and leadership to that end.

II. PARTICIPATING SUBSIDIARIES, SUBSIDIARY GROUPS AND DIVISIONS:

Each subsidiary, subsidiary group, line of business and division of Viad is a “Company” for the purposes of this Plan. Viad may, by action of its Board of Directors or its Human Resources Committee, amend the list of eligible Companies at any time and from time to time.

III. AWARD LIMIT:

The maximum aggregate amount awarded or credited under this Plan and any other Cash-Based Plan may not exceed five million dollars ($5,000,000) to any one Participant in any one Plan Year.  An Executive Officer as defined under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act cannot be paid Cash-Based Awards in any one Plan Year that exceed in the aggregate the award limit provided in this paragraph, but may be paid less at the discretion of the Committee based on the levels of achievement of performance measures established by the Committee for a Plan Year.

IV. PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

As described in the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan, the Company and Viad Corp will adopt Performance Measures from the following list upon which payments or awards will be based on an annual basis:

(a) Net earnings or net income (before or after taxes);

(b) Earnings per share;

(c) Net sales or revenue growth;

(d) Net operating profit;

(e) Revenue;

(f) Return measures (including, but not limited to, return on assets, capital, invested capital, equity, sales, or revenue);

(g) Cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow, cash generation, cash flow return on equity, and cash flow return on investment);

(h) Earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation, and/or amortization;

(i) Gross or operating margins;

(j) Productivity ratios;

(k) Share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total shareholder return);

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(l) Expense targets;

(m) Margins;

(n) Operating efficiency;

(o) Market share;

(p) Customer satisfaction;

(q) Unit volume;

(r) Working capital targets and change in working capital;

(s) Economic value added or EVA^® (net operating profit after tax minus the sum of capital multiplied by the cost of capital); and

(t) Strategic plan development and implementation.

Performance Measures may be established for each Company to place increased emphasis on areas of importance to achieving overall Corporate or subsidiary objectives, with the Chief Executive Officer of Viad to recommend to the Committee the measures to be used, the goals to be set and, after the end of the Plan Year, the level of achievement.  In order to be earned, at least one of the predefined financial goals must be achieved and payable (at a minimum threshold level), subject to downward discretion at the recommendation of the Viad Chief Executive Officer.  Any Performance Measure(s) may be used to measure the Performance of the Company, subsidiary and/or affiliate as a whole or any business unit of the Company, subsidiary, and/or affiliate or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate, or any of the above Performance Measures as compared to the performance of a group of comparator companies, or published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or the Company may select Performance Measure (k) above as compared to various stock market indices.

V. ESTABLISHING GOALS:

The goals for the Performance Measures to be employed will be established by the Committee no later than 90 days after the beginning of the Plan Year after receiving the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer of Viad Corp.  Actual bonus awards will be dependent on Company or Corporate Performance versus the goals established.  Awards will also be capped when stretch Performance levels are achieved.

VI. EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE:

The Committee, in evaluation of achievement of Performance Measures, may include or exclude any of the following events that occur during a Performance Period, such as:  (a) asset write-downs, (b) litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (c) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or provisions affecting reported results, (d) any reorganization and restructuring programs, (e) unusual or infrequently occurring items as described in ASC Topic 225 and/or in management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company's annual report to shareholders for the applicable year, (f) acquisitions or divestitures, and (g) foreign exchange gains and losses.  To the extent such inclusions or exclusions affect Awards to Covered Employees, they shall be prescribed in a form that meets the requirements of Code Section 162(m) for deductibility.

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VII. PARTICIPATION:

A. PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY:

The Committee will select the eligible Executive Officers (as defined under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act) for participation in the Plan no later than 90 days after the beginning of the Plan Year.  Participants will be selected in accordance with procedures outlined in the Administrative Guidelines of the Plan.  

B. TARGET BONUSES:

Threshold, target and cap bonus will be approved by the Committee for each Executive Officer in writing no later than 90 days after the beginning of the Plan Year and will be expressed as a percentage of salary paid during the year.  Target bonuses for other eligible personnel will be established in writing within the parameters set forth in the Administrative Guidelines of the Plan, subject to approval by the Chief Executive Officer of Viad Corp.  Actual bonus awards will be calculated by reference to a target percentage, with a threshold and cap percentage set forth in the Administrative Guidelines.

C. BONUS POOL:

1. The "Bonus Pool" will be initially established no later than 90 days after the beginning of the Plan Year and will be adjusted from time to time to equal the sum of anticipated bonuses of all designated participants in each Company based upon actual Plan Year salaries, plus 15% of the target bonus amount for Special Achievement Awards.

2. The Bonus Pool will accrue in accordance with the Bonus Pool Accrual Formula recommended by the Chief Executive Officer of Viad Corp.

3. Bonus Pool accruals not paid out shall not be carried forward to any succeeding year.

D. AWARD DETERMINATION:

1. Individual bonus awards will be equal to the product of the target bonus percentage times the weighted average percentage of Bonus Pool accrued as determined in paragraph C above times the individual's actual base salary earnings during the Plan Year, subject to adjustments as follows:

a) discretionary upwards or downward adjustment of formula bonus awards by the Committee after considering the recommendation of the Company President or Chief Executive Officer with the approval of the Chief Executive Officer of Viad Corp for those executives not affected by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, and

b) discretionary downward adjustment of awards by the Committee for those Executive Officers affected by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, and

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c) no individual award may exceed the individual's capped target award or the award limit, and the aggregate recommended bonuses may not exceed the Bonus Pool accrued for other than Special Achievement Awards.

2. Bonuses awarded to the participating management staff of subsidiary groups may be paid from funds accrued based upon the target bonus for such participant(s) times the weighted average performance of the Companies in the subsidiary group, subject to adjustments as above.

VIII. RESTRICTIVE COVENANT, FORFEITURES AND REPAYMENT PROVISIONS:

A. NON-COMPETE:

Unless a Change of Control (as defined in the Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended) shall have occurred after the date hereof:

1. In order to better protect the goodwill of Viad and its Affiliates (as defined in the Plan) and to prevent the disclosure of Viad's or its Affiliates' trade secrets and confidential information and thereby help ensure the long-term success of the business, each participant in this Plan, without prior written consent of Viad, will not engage in any activity or provide any services, whether as a director, manager, supervisor, employee, adviser, agent, consultant, owner of more than five (5) percent of any enterprise or otherwise, for a period of eighteen (18) months following the date of such participant's termination of employment with Viad or any of its Affiliates, in connection with the manufacture, development, advertising, promotion, design, or sale of any service or product which is the same as or similar to or competitive with any services or products of Viad or its Affiliates (including both existing services or products as well as services or products known to such participant, as a consequence of such participant's employment with Viad or one of its Affiliates, to be in development):

a) with respect to which such participant's work has been directly concerned at any time during the two (2) years preceding termination of employment with Viad or one of its Affiliates, or

b) with respect to which during that period of time such participant, as a consequence of participant's job performance and duties, acquired knowledge of trade secrets or other confidential information of Viad or its Affiliates.

2. For purposes of the provisions of paragraph VIII A, it shall be conclusively presumed that a participant in this Plan has knowledge of information he or she was directly exposed to through actual receipt or review of memos or documents containing such information, or through actual attendance at meetings at which such information was discussed or disclosed.

3. If, at any time within eighteen (18) months following the date of a participant's termination of employment with Viad or any of its Affiliates, such participant engages in any conduct agreed to be avoided in accordance with paragraph VIII A, then all bonuses paid under this Plan to such participant during the last eighteen (18) months of employment shall be returned or otherwise repaid by such participant to Viad.  Participants in this Plan consent to the deduction from any amounts Viad or any of its Affiliates owes to such participants to the extent of the amounts such participants owe Viad hereunder.

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B. MISCONDUCT:

Unless a Change of Control shall have occurred after the date hereof, all bonuses paid under this Plan to any participant shall be returned or otherwise repaid by such participant to Viad, if Viad reasonably determines that during a participant's employment with Viad or any of its Affiliates:

1. such participant knowingly or grossly negligently engaged in misconduct that causes a misstatement of the financial statements of Viad or any of its Affiliates or misconduct which represents a material violation of any code of ethics of Viad applicable to such participant or of the Always Honest compliance program or similar program of Viad; or

2. such participant was aware of and failed to report, as required by any code of ethics of Viad applicable to such participant or by the Always Honest compliance program or similar program of Viad, misconduct that causes a misstatement of the financial statements of Viad or any of its Affiliates or misconduct which represents a material knowing violation of any code of ethics of Viad applicable to such participant or of the Always Honest compliance program or similar program of Viad.

Participants in this Plan consent to the deduction from any amounts Viad or any of its Affiliates owes to such participants to the extent of the amounts such participants owe Viad hereunder.

C. ACTS CONTRARY TO VIAD:

Unless a Change of Control shall have occurred after the date hereof, if Viad reasonably determines that at any time within two (2) years after the award of any bonus under this Plan to a participant that such participant has acted significantly contrary to the best interests of Viad, including, but not limited to, any direct or indirect intentional disparagement of Viad, then any bonus paid under this Plan to such participant during the prior two- (2) year period shall be returned or otherwise repaid by the participant to Viad.  Participants in this Plan consent to the deduction from any amounts Viad or any of its Affiliates owes to such participants to the extent of the amounts such participants owe Viad hereunder.

D. The Corporation’s reasonable determination required under paragraphs VIII B and VIII C shall be made by the Human Resources Committee of the Corporation’s Board of Directors, in the case of Executive Officers of the Corporation, and by the Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Compliance Officer of the Corporation, in the case of all other officers and employees.

IX. SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS:

Special bonuses of up to 15% of base salary for employees (primarily exempt employees) who are not participants in this Plan, including newly hired employees, may be recommended at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer to the Committee from the separate funds for discretionary awards provided for under paragraph VII C.

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X. APPROVAL AND DISTRIBUTION:

The individual incentive bonus amounts and the terms of payment thereof will be fixed following the close of the Plan Year by the Committee.  

XI. COMPENSATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE:

The Compensation Advisory Committee is appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of Viad Corp to assist the Committee in the implementation and administration of this Plan.  The Compensation Advisory Committee shall propose administrative guidelines to the Committee to govern interpretations of this Plan and to resolve ambiguities, if any, but the Compensation Advisory Committee will not have the power to terminate, alter, amend, or modify this Plan or any actions hereunder in any way at any time.

XII. SPECIAL COMPENSATION STATUS:

All bonuses paid under this Plan shall be deemed to be special compensation and, therefore, unless otherwise provided for in another plan or agreement, will not be included in determining the earnings of the recipients for the purposes of any pension, group insurance or other plan or agreement of a Company or of Viad Corp.  Participants in this Plan shall not be eligible for any contractual or other short-term (sales, productivity, etc.) incentive plan except in those cases where participation is weighted between this Plan and any such other short-term incentive plan.

XIII. PLAN TERMINATION:

This Plan shall continue in effect until such time as it may be canceled or otherwise terminated by action of the Board of Directors of Viad Corp.  While it is contemplated that incentive awards from the Plan will be made, the Board of Directors of Viad Corp may terminate, amend, alter, or modify this Plan at any time and from time to time.  Participation in the Plan shall create no right to participate in any future year's Plan.

XIV. EMPLOYEE RIGHTS:

No participant in this Plan shall be deemed to have a right to any part or share of this Plan, except as provided in Paragraphs XV and XVI.  This Plan does not create for any employee or participant any right to be retained in service by any Company, nor affect the right of any such Company to discharge any employee or participant from employment.  Except as provided for in administrative guidelines, a participant who is not an employee of Viad Corp or one of its subsidiaries on the date bonuses are paid will not receive a bonus payment.

XV. EFFECT OF CHANGE OF CONTROL:

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, in the event of a Change of Control (as defined in the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan) each participant in the Plan shall be entitled to a pro rata bonus award calculated on the basis of achievement of Performance goals through the date of the Change of Control, which shall be paid no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar in which the Change of Control occurs.

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XVI. DEATH, DISABILITY AND RETIREMENT:

If a participant ceases to be an employee of Viad or a Company by reason of death or disability, or by reason of normal or early retirement, such participant shall be entitled to a pro rata bonus, if earned, calculated based on the percentage of time such participant was employed by Viad or a Company from the beginning of the Plan Year through the date the participant ceases to be an employee of Viad or a Company, which shall be paid no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar in which the death, disability or retirement occurs.

XVII. DEFINITIONS:

Capitalized terms used in this Plan which are not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan.

XVIII. EFFECTIVE DATE:

The Plan shall be effective as of May 18, 2017.

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EX-10.B6

Exhibit 10.B6

VIAD CORP

PERFORMANCE UNIT INCENTIVE PLAN (“PUP”)

ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES

(Effective February 27, 2018)

PURPOSE:

To promote the long-term goals and objectives of Viad Corp (“Viad”) and its shareholders while attracting and retaining the executives of the corporation and its subsidiary companies.  The PUP participants and PUP awards, along with the Performance Period and the targets to be achieved must be approved by the Human Resources Committee (the “Committee”) of Viad’s Board of Directors.

PARTICIPATION:

Eligibility: Strictly limited to those key executives who contribute substantially to the successful performance of the Corporation or its subsidiaries.

Participants must be approved at the beginning of each year by Subsidiary Presidents or Corporate Staff Officers and be approved by the Viad Corp Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), with the exception of Section 16 Executive Officers (who are approved by the Committee).  In all instances where these guidelines refer to the CEO as being authorized to take action, when the reference is with respect to any awards to Executive Officers, the power to act will be exercised exclusively by the Committee, which serves the purposes of the compensation committee of Viad referenced in the IRC 162(m) regulations.

Corporate – Typically limited to the President and CEO and his/her direct reports and executives approved by the Committee after recommendation by the CEO. The participant must be a current employee at the time any award is paid out, subject to the terms of the Plan or unless special arrangements are made via a severance agreement, provided that in the case of an Executive Officer, no agreement shall award any portion of a bonus unless the performance criteria have, in fact, been achieved.

Subsidiaries – Typically limited to the president of Pursuit and the president of GES and their respective direct reports.

The participant must be a current employee at the time any award is paid out, subject to the terms of PUP or unless special arrangements are made via a severance agreement, provided that in the case of an Executive Officer, no agreement shall award any portion of a bonus unless the performance criteria have, in fact, been achieved.

The Committee will select the eligible Executive Officers (as defined under Section 16(b) of the Security Exchange Act) for participation in PUP no later than 90 days after the beginning of the Performance Period.

Other Participants are limited only to those key executives who contribute in a substantial measure to the successful performance of the Corporation or its subsidiaries.  The CEO will recommend the PUP participants for approval by the Committee.

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TERMS

The award of performance units and the payment of awards will be subject to such terms, conditions, covenants, forfeiture, repayment and other provisions as may be determined by the Committee.

PLAN DESIGN:

Long-term performance goals are set for Viad and subsidiary companies (and/or group of subsidiaries) that include performance measures as described in the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan.  

The appropriate weighting of goals, targets, range of values above and below such targets and the Performance Period to be used will be determined by the Committee no later than 90 days after the beginning of each new Performance Period, and typically at the February meeting of the Committee.  

The Performance Period is a three-year term or such other length of time as determined by the Committee.

AWARD APPROVAL:

Recommendations on individual award amounts are made to the Committee in February of each year by the CEO.

AWARD UNITS:

Award grants are expressed in units.  These units are granted to each participant to be effective at the beginning of each new Performance Period.  The number of units granted to participants is determined, generally, by determining the long-term compensation value for the position.

At the end of the Performance Period, units will be earned based upon the degree of achievement of predefined targets during the Performance Period.

ACHIEVEMENT:

Achievement can be zero or it can be between 20% - 200% of the value of the units awarded based on the actual achievement of the financial goals. The units are then re-valued at the end of the Performance Period to equal the 10-day average of the daily mean  price of Viad’s common stock following the earnings release for Viad at the end of the Performance Period to determine actual awards.   Achievement of performance goals and the amount of payment resulting from such achievement must be approved by the Committee prior to any payment to the Covered Employees, and without such written certification, no payment will be made to such individuals.

Only downward discretion may be applied with respect to any awards made to Covered Employees affected by IRC 162(m).

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AWARD LIMIT:

The 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan places a limit on the aggregate number of Performance Units that any one Participant may be awarded in any one Plan Year, which is two hundred fifty thousand (250,000)units if an award is payable in Shares, or an amount equal to the value of two hundred fifty thousand (250,000)Shares if an award is payable in cash or property other than Shares, as determined as of the award grant date.

AWARD CALCULATION

Performance Awards are calculated using the following formula:

Award = Number of Units originally granted x Unit Value at the End of the Performance Period x Company Achievement.  

For example:  Performance Period 2017 – 2019

Target Units	Company Achievement	Ending Stock Price	Award Value
10,000	x     50%	x   $24.00	=  $120,000
10,000	x   100%	x   $24.00	=  $240,000
10,000	x   200%	x   $24.00	=  $480,000

Payment of the award will be made following Committee approval in the year following the close of the Performance Period.  The award may be paid in cash or stock as determined at the beginning of the Performance Period by the Committee.

EX-10.B7

Exhibit 10.B7

2017 VIAD CORP OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

PERFORMANCE UNIT AGREEMENT

(Effective as of February 27, 2018)

Performance Units are hereby awarded by Viad Corp (“Corporation”), a Delaware corporation, effective ___________, 20___, to _________ (“Employee”) in accordance with the following terms and conditions:

1.Award.The Corporation hereby awards the Employee ________ Performance Units pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan (“Plan”), subject to the terms, conditions, and restrictions of such Plan and as hereinafter set forth.

[INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING LANGUAGE ONLY IF APPLICABLE:] If earned, ________ % of the Units subject to this Agreement shall be payable in the form of Shares (as defined in the Plan).  The remainder of any earned Units shall be payable in the form of cash.

2.Restrictions on Transfer and Performance Period.

(a)The Performance Units may not be assigned, transferred, pledged, or otherwise encumbered by the Employee, except in the event of the Participant's death, by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

(b)The Performance Period for the Units is for a three-year period beginning January 1, 20___ and ending December 31, 20___.

(c)The Board of Directors (“Board”) shall have the authority, in its discretion, to truncate the Performance Period prior to the expiration of the Performance Period with respect thereto, whenever the Board may determine that such action is appropriate by reason of change in applicable tax or other law, or other change in circumstances.

3.Restrictive Covenants.  Unless a Change of Control (as defined in the Plan) shall have occurred after the date hereof, in order to better protect the goodwill of the Corporation and its Affiliates and to prevent the disclosure of the Corporation's or its Affiliates' trade secrets and confidential information and thereby help insure the long-term success of the business, Employee, without prior written consent of the Corporation, will not engage in certain conduct as outlined in this paragraph 3:

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(a)Non-Competition.  During Employee’s employment with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, and for a period of eighteen (18) months following termination of Employee’s employment with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, Employee will not engage in any activity or provide any services, whether as a director, manager, supervisor, employee, adviser, agent, consultant, owner of more than five (5) percent of any enterprise or otherwise, in connection with the manufacture, development, advertising, promotion, design, or sale of any service or product which is the same as or similar to or competitive with any services or products of the Corporation or its Affiliates (including both existing services or products as well as services or products known to the Employee, as a consequence of Employee's employment with the Corporation or one of its Affiliates, to be in development):

(i)with respect to which Employee's work has been directly concerned at any time during the two (2) years preceding termination of employment with the Corporation or one of its Affiliates, or

(ii)with respect to which during that period of time Employee, as a consequence of Employee's job performance and duties, acquired knowledge of trade secrets or other confidential information of the Corporation or its Affiliates.  For purposes of the provisions of paragraph 3(a), it shall be conclusively presumed that Employee has knowledge of information he or she was directly exposed to through actual receipt or review of memos or documents containing such information, or through actual attendance at meetings at which such information was discussed or disclosed.

(b)Non-Solicitation of Customers.  During Employee’s employment with the Corporation or any of its affiliates, and for a period of eighteen (18) months following termination of Employee’s employment with the Corporation, Employee will not on behalf of any Competitor, solicit business from any Client of the Corporation that Employee serviced during Employee’s employment with the Corporation (the “Restricted Clients”).  “Client” means any individual, person, business or entity that has consumed, obtained, retained and/or purchased any services or products offered or sold by the Corporation or any of its Affiliates during Employee’s employment, and any individual, person, business or entity or that has been solicited by Employee to consume, obtain, retain or purchase the services or products offered or sold by the Corporation or any of its affiliates.  “Competitor”means any person or organization engaged (or about to become engaged) in research, development, marketing, selling, or servicing with respect to any product or service which is the same as, similar to, or competes with any product, process or service of the Corporation or its Affiliates (including both existing services or products as well as services or products known to the Employee, as a consequence of Employee's employment with the Corporation or one of its Affiliates, to be in development).

(c)Non-Solicitation of Employees.  During Employee’s employment with the Corporation and for eighteen (18) months immediately following termination of such employment for any reason, Employee will not, on behalf of himself or herself, or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation, or entity, directly or indirectly (a) solicit for employment, or otherwise seek to employ, retain, divert or take away any of the agents, representatives or employees of the Corporation with whom Employee had contact or about whom Employee had access to information in the course of Employee’s employment with the Corporation, (b) or in any other way assist or facilitate any such employment, solicitation or retention effort.

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(d)Remedies.  Employee understands and agrees that the Corporation’s remedy for violation of the restrictions contained in paragraphs 3(a), 3(b) and/or 3(c) above is not limited to a requirement that Employee repay any awards granted to Employee under the Plan.  Rather, in the event Employee breaches the terms of the restrictive covenants contained in paragraphs 3(a), 3(b) and/or 3(c) above, the Corporation will be entitled to seek and obtain any or all of the following remedies against Employee:

(i)Injunctive Relief.  In the event that Employee breaches, or the Corporation reasonably believes that Employee is about to breach, any of the covenants of paragraphs 3(a), 3(b) and/or 3(c) above, Employee recognizes that the Corporation will suffer immediate and irreparable harm and that money damages alone will not be adequate to compensate the Corporation or its Affiliates.  Accordingly, Employee agrees that the Corporation will be entitled to temporary, preliminary and/or permanent injunctive relief enforcing the terms of paragraphs 3(a), 3(b) and/or 3(c) above.

(ii)Damages.  In the event that Employee breaches any of the covenants of paragraphs 3(a), 3(b) and/or 3(c) above, Employee agrees that the Corporation will be entitled to compensatory damages in an amount necessary to compensate the Corporation for any harm that is not adequately redressed or prevented by injunctive relief.

(iii)Forfeiture and Repayment.  In the event Employee breaches any of the covenants of paragraphs 3(a), 3(b) and/or 3(c) above, Employee agrees and understands that the Corporation may require Employee to repay certain awards that have been granted under the Plan, as is more fully set forth in paragraph 4 below.

(e)Governing Law.   The restrictions set forth in provisions of paragraph 3 will be governed by, construed, interpreted, and their validity determined, under the law of the State of Delaware.  

4.Forfeiture and Repayment Provisions.

(a)Termination of Employment.Except as provided in this paragraph 4(a) and in paragraph 5 below or as otherwise may be determined by the Board, if the Employee ceases to be an Employee of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates (as defined in the Plan) for any reason prior to the completion of the Performance Period, all Performance Units shall upon such termination of employment be forfeited and returned to the Corporation.  Except as otherwise specifically determined by the Human Resources Committee in its absolute discretion on a case by case basis, if twelve or more months have passed since the Commencement Date and (i) the Employee is terminated by the Corporation or any of its Affiliates for any reason prior to the completion of the Performance Period (other than for Cause, as defined below, or for failure to meet performance expectations, as determined by the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation), or (ii) the Employee ceases to be an employee of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates by reason of death or total or partial disability prior to the completion of the Performance Period, or (iii) the Employee ceases to be an employee of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates by reason of normal or early retirement, then full ownership of the earned Performance Units will occur to the extent not

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previously earned at the end of the Performance Period, in each case on a pro rata basis, calculated based on the percentage of time such Employee was employed by the Corporation or any of its Affiliates from the beginning of the Performance Period through the date the Employee ceases to be an employee of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates; provided in every case, that Employee, upon request of the Corporation, shall execute a Separation Agreement and Release in connection with termination of his or her employment, such agreement to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Corporation in its absolute discretion.  As used herein, the term "Cause" means (1) the conviction of a participant for committing a felony under federal law or the law of the state in which such action occurred, (2) dishonesty in the course of fulfilling a participant's employment duties or (3) willful and deliberate failure on the part of a participant to perform his employment duties in any material respect, or such other events as will be determined by the Committee.  The Committee will have the sole discretion to determine whether "Cause" exists, and its determination will be final.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no vesting or ownership of Performance Units shall occur following termination of employment for any reason unless Employee, upon request of the Corporation, shall execute a Separation Agreement and Release in connection with such termination of employment, such agreement to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Corporation in its absolute discretion.

(b)Violations of Paragraph 3(a), 3(b) and/or 3(c).  

(i)In addition to any other remedy, at law or in equity, all Performance Units subject to the restrictions imposed by paragraph 2 above shall be forfeited and returned to the Corporation, if Employee engages in any conduct agreed to be avoided pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 3(a), 3(b) and/or 3(c) at any time within eighteen (18) months following the date of Employee's termination of employment with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates.

(ii)  In addition to any other remedy, at law or in equity, if, at any time within eighteen (18) months following the date of Employee's termination of employment with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, Employee engages in any conduct agreed to be avoided pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 3(a), 3(b) and/or 3(c), then all payments (without regard to tax effects) received directly or indirectly by Employee with respect to all Performance Units which are earned during the two (2) year period prior to Employee's termination from employment shall be returned by Employee to the Corporation.  Employee consents to the deduction from any amounts the Corporation or any of its Affiliates owes to Employee to the extent of the amounts Employee owes the Corporation hereunder.

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(c)Misconduct.  Unless a Change of Control shall have occurred after the date hereof:

(i)All payments (without regard to tax effects) received directly or indirectly by Employee with respect to the Performance Units shall be returned by Employee to the Corporation, if the Corporation reasonably determines that during Employee's employment with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates:

(1)   Employee knowingly or grossly negligently engaged in misconduct that causes a misstatement of the financial statements of Viad or any of its Affiliates or misconduct which represents a material violation of any code of ethics of the Corporation applicable to Employee or of the Always Honest compliance program or similar program of the Corporation; or

(2)   Employee was aware of and failed to report, as required by any code of ethics of the Corporation applicable to Employee or by the Always Honest compliance program or similar program of the Corporation, misconduct that causes a misstatement of the financial statements of Viad or any of its Affiliates or misconduct which represents a material knowing violation of any code of ethics of the Corporation applicable to Employee or of the Always Honest compliance program or similar program of the Corporation.

(ii)Employee consents to the deduction from any amounts the Corporation or any of its Affiliates owes to Employee to the extent of the amounts Employee owes the Corporation under this paragraph 4(c).

(d)Acts Contrary to Corporation.  Unless a Change of Control shall have occurred after the date hereof, if the Corporation reasonably determines that at any time within two (2) years after the lapse of the Performance Period Employee has acted significantly contrary to the best interests of the Corporation, including, but not limited to, any direct or indirect intentional disparagement of the Corporation, then all payments (without regard to tax effects) received directly or indirectly by Employee with respect to Performance Units during the two (2) year period prior to the Corporation's determination shall be paid by Employee to the Corporation.  Employee consents to the deduction from any amounts the Corporation or any of its Affiliates owes to Employee to the extent of the amounts Employee owes the Corporation under this paragraph 4(d).

(e)The Corporation’s reasonable determination required under paragraphs 4(c)(i) and 4(d) above shall be made by the Human Resources Committee of the Corporation’s Board of Directors, in the case of executive officers of the Corporation, and by the Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Compliance Officer of the Corporation, in the case of all other officers and employees.

5.Effect of Change in Control.In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), all Performance Units shall be paid as if each of the predefined targets for such Performance Units was achieved at the 100% level, with such payment prorated for the period of time from the grant date of such Performance Units to the date of the Change of Control.

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6.Plan and Plan Interpretations as Controlling.The Performance Units hereby awarded and the terms and conditions herein set forth are subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which are controlling. The Plan provides that the Human Resources Committee of the Corporation’s Board of Directors may from time to time make changes therein, interpret it and establish regulations for the administration thereof.  The Employee, by acceptance of this Agreement, agrees to be bound by said Plan and such Committee actions.

7.Provisions Applicable to Earned Units Payable in the Form of Shares.

(a)   To the extent permissible under applicable tax, securities and other laws, the Corporation will permit the Employee to satisfy a tax withholding requirement with respect to earned Shares by directing the Corporation to apply Shares to which the Employee is entitled as a result of any earned Units that are payable in the form of Shares, in such manner as the Corporation shall choose in its discretion to satisfy such requirement.  

(b)   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, for Executive Officers of the Corporation only, any earned Units payable in the form of Shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by the Employee, and the Corporation may hold such Shares, net of any tax withholding requirement, to the extent the Executive Officer is not in compliance with the stock ownership requirements of the Corporation, for such period of time as the Executive Officer is not in compliance with such stock ownership requirements (“Holding Period”).  The Holding Period shall lapse if the Executive Officer ceases to be an employee of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates for any reason.

8.  Compliance with or exemption from Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other term of this Plan to the contrary, the Plan is intended to satisfy or otherwise be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A. To the extent that any payment pursuant to this Plan is or becomes subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code it shall be paid in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A and no deferral or acceleration of payment inconsistent with Section 409A shall be permitted. Any payment subject to Section 409A due to a separation from service shall be delayed for a six month period if payable to a “Key Employee” (as defined below). Payments made upon lapse of a substantial risk of forfeiture herein shall be made within the two and one-half month period following the taxable year of the Corporation in which the amount was no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and an Employee shall have no ability to designate the taxable year of payment. Payments made due to a Change in Control shall be made within 30 days of the Change in Control and the Employee shall have no discretion to designate the taxable year of receipt. To the extent that any provision of this Plan fails to satisfy the requirements of, or be exempt from Section 409A, the provision shall be automatically modified in a manner that, in the good faith opinion of the Corporation, brings the provision into compliance with Section 409A while preserving as closely as possible the original intent of the Plan. “Key Employee” means an Executive considered a key employee for the 12-month period commencing on April 1st of the year following the 12-month period ending on December 31st of the preceding year during which the Executive met the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 416 as applied under Section 409A

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Performance Unit Plan Agreement to be duly executed.

Dated:	, 20	VIAD CORP
		By:
ATTEST:

This Performance Unit Plan Agreement shall be effective only upon execution by Employee and delivery to and receipt by the Corporation.

ACCEPTED:

Employee

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EX-10.B8

Exhibit 10.B8

VIAD CORP

PERFORMANCE UNIT INCENTIVE PLAN

Pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan

(Effective February 27, 2018)

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Performance Unit Incentive Plan (“Plan”) is to promote the long-term interests of the Viad Corp (“Corporation” or “Viad”) and its shareholders by providing a means for attracting and retaining designated key executives of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates through a system of rewards for the accomplishment of long-term, predefined performance goals.

2. DEFINITIONS

Capitalized terms used in this Plan, which are not defined herein, shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan.

3. PARTICIPATING SUBSIDIARIES, SUBSIDIARY GROUPS AND DIVISIONS

Each of the Pursuit business group and the GES business group, as well as each company within those two business groups, are a “Company” for the purposes of this Plan.

4. ADMINISTRATION

The Plan shall be administered by the Human Resources Committee (“Committee”) of Viad’s Board of Directors.  Except as limited by the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and complete authority and discretion to (i) select Participants and grant Awards; (ii) determine the number of Performance Units to be subject to Awards generally, as well as to individual Awards granted under the Plan; (iii) select the performance measures and the Performance Period for any Awards; (iv) determine the goals that must be achieved in order for the Awards to be payable and the other terms and conditions upon which Awards shall be granted under the Plan; (v) prescribe the form and terms of instruments evidencing such Awards; (vi) determine the extent to which Awards earned under the Plan will be payable in the form of cash or in Shares (or in a combination thereof), in accordance with Section 9.4 of the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan; and (vii) establish from time to time regulations for the administration of the Plan, interpret the Plan, and make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.  

5. AWARD LIMIT

An award limit has been established under the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan such that the maximum aggregate amount of an Award under this Plan to any one Covered Employee in any one Plan Year shall be two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) Shares if such Award is payable in Shares, or equal to the value of two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) Shares if such Award is payable in cash or property other than Shares, as determined as of the Award grant date.  

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6. PERFORMANCEMEASURES

As described in the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan, the Committee will adopt performance goals from the following Performance Measures upon which payments or awards will be based:

(a) Net earnings or net income (before or after taxes);

(b) Earnings per share;

(c) Net sales or revenue growth;

(d) Net operating profit;

(e) Revenue;

(f) Return measures (including, but not limited to, return on assets, capital, invested capital, equity, sales, or revenue);

(g) Cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow, cash generation, cash flow return on equity, and cash flow return on investment);

(h) Earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation, and/or amortization;

(i) Gross or operating margins;

(j) Productivity ratios;

(k) Share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total shareholder return);

(l) Expense targets;

(m) Margins;

(n) Operating efficiency;

(o) Market share;

(p) Customer satisfaction;

(q) Unit volume;

(r) Working capital targets and change in working capital;

(s) Economic value added or EVA^® (net operating profit after tax minus the sum of capital multiplied by the cost of capital); and

(t) Strategic plan development and implementation.

Performance Measures may be established for each Company to place increased emphasis on areas of importance to achieving overall objectives of Viad and/or the Company, with the Chief Executive Officer of Viad to recommend to the Committee the Performance Measures to be used, the goals to be set and, at the end of the Performance Period, the level of achievement.  In order to be earned, at least one of the predefined Performance Measures must be achieved and payable (at a minimum threshold level), subject to downward discretion at the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer of Viad.  Any Performance Measure(s) may be used to measure the performance of Viad, a Company, Subsidiary and/or Affiliate as a whole or any business unit of Viad, a Company, Subsidiary, and/or Affiliate or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate, or any of the above Performance Measures as compared to the performance of a group of comparator companies, or published or special index that the Committee in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or Viad and/or a Company may select the Performance Measure described in clause (k), above, as compared to various stock market indices.

7. ESTABLISHING GOALS

The appropriate weighting of measures, goals, range of values above and below such goals, and the Performance Period to be used as a basis for the measurement of performance for Awards under the Plan will be determined by the Committee no later than 90 days after the beginning of each new Performance Period during the life of the Plan, after giving consideration to the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer of Viad.  Performance Units will be earned based upon the degree of achievement of predefined goals over the Performance Period following

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the date of grant.  Earned Performance Units may range, based on achievement of predefined goals over the Performance Period, from 0% to 200% of the target Performance Units.

8. EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE

The Committee, in evaluation of achievement of Performance Measures, may include or exclude any event that could occur during a Performance Period, including, but not limited to:  (a) asset write-downs, (b) litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (c) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or provisions affecting reported results, (d) any reorganization and restructuring programs, (e) unusual or infrequently occurring items as described in ASC Topic 225 and/or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to shareholders for the applicable year, (f) acquisitions or divestitures, and (g) foreign exchange gains and losses.  

9. RANGE OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS

The range of values for the Corporation's or a Company's performance goals will be recommended by the Chief Executive Officer of Viad for approval by the Committee.  Performance Units will be earned based upon the degree of achievement of each of the predefined goals over the Performance Period following the date of grant.  

10. PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY

The Committee will select the eligible Plan participants; provided, however, the selection of the Executive Officers (as defined under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act) and other Covered Employees as Plan participants shall occur no later than 90 days after the beginning of the Performance Period.  

11. AWARD DETERMINATION

Awards will be recommended by the Chief Executive Officer of Viad for approval by the Committee annually no later than 90 days after the beginning of each new Performance Period.  

12. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The Committee shall have full and complete authority and discretion, except as expressly limited by the Plan, to grant Units and to provide the terms and conditions (which need not be identical among Participants) thereof.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may specify a Performance Period of not less than two years or not more than five years, and such time period will be substituted as appropriate to properly effect the specified Performance Period.  No Participant or any person claiming under or through such person shall have any right or interest, whether vested or otherwise, in the Plan or in any Award thereunder, contingent or otherwise, unless and until all the terms, conditions, and provisions of the Plan and its approved administrative requirements that affect such Participant or such other person shall have been complied with.  Nothing contained in the Plan shall (i) require the Corporation to segregate cash or other property on behalf of any Participant or (ii) affect the rights and power of the Corporation or its Affiliates to dismiss and/or discharge any Participant at any time.

13. ADJUSTMENTS

Any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, stock dividend, sale of assets, combination or merger not otherwise provided for herein which affects the outstanding shares of Common Stock

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of the Corporation or any other change in the capitalization of the Corporation affecting the Common Stock shall be appropriately adjusted for by the Committee and any such adjustments shall be final, conclusive and binding.

14. PAYMENT OF AWARDS

(a) The Committee will determine whether and to what extent any Award becomes payable under the Plan.  Any Award payable in the form of cash that is determined to be payable by the Committee shall be subject to the following calculation:   Each Performance Unit payable shall be multiplied by the average of  the daily means of the market prices of the Corporation's Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange as reported on the consolidated transaction reporting system during the ten trading day period beginning on the day following public announcement of the Corporation's year-end financial results following the Performance Period.  Payment of the Award will be made following Committee approval in the year following the close of the Performance Period.  The Committee shall certify in writing that the performance goals have been met prior to payment of the Award to the extent required by Section 162(m).  For those Covered Employees affected by Section 162(m) of the Code, Awards will be subject to discretionary downward adjustment by the Committee.  Amounts payable under any Award will be subject to the limits set forth in the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan.

(b) Awards granted under this Plan shall be payable during the lifetime of the Participant to whom such Award was granted only to such Participant; and, except as otherwise provided herein or in a Performance Unit Agreement between the Corporation and a Participant, which Agreement has been approved by the Committee, no such Award will be payable unless at the time of payment such Participant is an employee of and has continuously since the grant thereof been an employee of the Corporation or an Affiliate.  Neither absence nor leave, if approved by the Corporation, nor any transfer of employment between Affiliates or between an Affiliate and the Corporation shall be considered an interruption or termination of employment for purposes of this Plan.

(c) If authorized by the Committee, payment of all or a portion of any earned Award may be deferred pursuant to a deferred compensation plan of the Corporation then in effect; provided that the election to defer payment of any earned Award must be made at least six months prior to the expiration of the applicable Performance Period or as otherwise required by Section 409A of the Code.

15. EFFECT OF CHANGE OF CONTROL

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, in the event of a Change of Control (as defined in the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan), each participant in the Plan shall be entitled to a pro rata bonus award calculated on the basis of achievement of 100% of the performance goals through the date of the Change of Control, which shall be paid no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar in which the Change of Control occurs.

16. ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS

No award to any Participant under the provisions of the Plan may be assigned, transferred, or otherwise encumbered except, in the event of death of a Participant, by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

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17. PLAN TERMINATION

The Board may amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided, however, that no such amendment, suspension, or termination shall invalidate the Awards already made to any Participant pursuant to the Plan, without his consent.  Participation in the Plan shall not create a right to participate in any future years' Plan.

19. ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES

The Compensation Advisory Committee, whose members are appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of Viad Corp, shall propose administrative guidelines to the Committee to govern interpretations of this Plan and to resolve ambiguities, if any, but the Compensation Advisory Committee will not have the power to terminate, alter, amend, or modify this Plan or any actions hereunder in any way at any time.

20. SPECIAL COMPENSATION STATUS

All bonuses paid under this Plan shall be deemed to be special compensation and, therefore, unless otherwise provided for in another plan or agreement, will not be included in determining the earnings of the recipients for the purposes of any pension, group insurance or other plan or agreement of a Company or of Viad Corp.

21. EFFECTIVE DATE

The Plan shall be effective as of May 18, 2017.

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EX-10.H1

Exhibit 10.H1

Viad Corp Board of Directors

2018 Matching Gift Program

The purpose of the Director’s Matching Gift Program is to recognize the interests of Viad Corp and its Directors in supporting worthy educational institutions and other charitable organizations qualified to receive tax-deductible donations under Section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

All board members are eligible to request donations as of the time they are elected to Viad’s Board of Directors.  Directors will continue to be eligible to participate in the program following their retirement from the board.  

Viad Corp will match dollar for dollar, at the request of the individual board members, gifts to colleges, universities, and/or charitable organizations in any amount between $1,000 and $5,000 per calendar year per board member.  A donation can be made to more than one qualifying organization, but the aggregate must be no more than $5,000.  These donations will be made to the organization in the director’s name.  

All board members should be informed at the beginning of the calendar year that wire transfers cannot be approved for matching gifts.  They should also be told that all requests for a particular calendar year be submitted no later than the third Friday in December. A reminder email should be sent right after the Thanksgiving holiday as the majority of requests come through right before year-end.  Contact person should be noted in the communication to board members.  

1) The director will complete and return to the Assistant Corporate Secretary, the Viad Corp Directors Matching Gift Program Enrollment Form, noting the charitable organization’s name, address, phone number and contact name, as well as the amount of the donation and how the check should be made payable. Accompanying this must be documentation, such as a cancelled check, that the director has already made a contribution to the same organization.

2) The Assistant Secretary will complete the Directors Matching Gift Program Disbursement Request Form along with a cover letter to the organization and have each approved by Legal.

3) Once approved, make a copy of everything, and file in the Matching Gift Program binder under the requesting director’s name.  

4) Complete the appropriate entry in the Receipt Log for tracking purposes.

5) All original documentation should then be given directly to Payroll, with a request to return the check to the Assistant Secretary once signed.

6) If the charitable organization returns a “Thank-You” letter or receipt, file it in the binder along with the copy of the donation request.

EX-21

Exhibit 21

VIAD CORP

(Delaware)

Active and Inactive (I) Subsidiaries and Affiliates* by business segment as of December 31, 2017

GES

David H. Gibson Company, Inc. (Texas) (I)

ethnoMetrics Inc. (Delaware) (I)

EXG, Inc. (Delaware) (I)

GES AV Services, Inc. (Delaware)**

GES Canada Limited (Canada)

GES Event Intelligence Services, Inc. (Delaware)

onPeak LLC (Delaware)

Travel & Event Services, LLC (Delaware)

Global Experience Specialists, Inc. (Nevada)

ESR Exposition Service, Inc. (New Jersey) (I)

Expo Accessories, Inc. (New York) (I)

Expo Display & Design, Inc. (New Jersey) (I)

Global Experience Specialists (GES) Asia Limited (Hong Kong)**

Shows Unlimited, Inc. (Nevada) (I)

Tradeshow Convention Services Inc. (Washington) (I)

GES Service Companies Limited (United Kingdom)

Blitz Communications Group Limited (United Kingdom)

Telecast Communications (Audio Visual) Limited (United Kingdom)(I)

Blitz Communications Limited (United Kingdom)

Astonics Limited (United Kingdom) (I)

Blitz Vision Limited (United Kingdom) (I)

TP Sound Services Limited (United Kingdom) (I)

Blitz Communications (Trustees) Limited (United Kingdom)**

GES Event Intelligence Services Limited (United Kingdom)

N200 Holding B.V. (Netherlands)

N200.com B.V. (Netherlands)

N200 Limited (United Kingdom)

GES Event Intelligence AG (Switzerland)

Poken’s Transylvanian Outpost SRL (Romania)

Global Experience Specialists (GES) Data Services Limited (United Kingdom)

Global Experience Specialists (GES) Holdings Ltd. (United Kingdom)

Melville Exhibition and Event Services Limited (United Kingdom) (I)

Global Experience Specialists (GES) Limited (United Kingdom)

Global Experience Specialists (GES) Exhibition Services LLC (Abu Dhabi) (49%)

Melville Data Services Limited (United Kingdom) (I)

Melville Logistics GmbH (Germany)

Resource Creative Limited (United Kingdom)**

Las Vegas Convention Service Co. (Nevada) (I)

ON Services – AV Specialists, Inc. (Delaware)

Viad Holding GmbH (Germany)

Exposervice Polska Spzoo (Poland)

GES Verwaltungs GmbH (Germany)

GES GmbH & Co. KG (Germany)

Viad Service Companies Limited (United Kingdom)

SDD Exhibitions Limited (United Kingdom) (I)

PURSUIT

Alaskan Park Properties, Inc. (Arizona)

CATC Alaska Tourism Corporation (Alaska)

Brewster Travel Canada Inc. (Alberta)

Brewster Inc. (Alberta)

Banff Hospitality Residence Ltd. (Alberta) (43.52%)

Esja Attractions ehf. (Iceland) (51%)

Glacier Park, Inc. (Arizona) (80%)

Glacier Park Concessions, Inc. (Arizona)**

Glacier Park Hospitality, Inc. (Arizona)**

Waterton Transport Company, Limited (Alberta)

Pursuit Collection Holding B.V. (Netherlands)

Pursuit Flyover Holding B.V. (Netherlands)

CORPORATE AND OTHER

VREC, Inc. (Delaware)**

_____________________________

* Parent-subsidiary or affiliate relationships are shown by marginal indentation. State, province or country of incorporation and ownership percentage are shown in parentheses following name, except that no ownership percentage appears for subsidiaries owned 100% (in the aggregate) by Viad Corp. List does not include companies in which the aggregate direct and indirect interest of Viad Corp is less than 20%.

** Shell corporation.

EX-23

Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-35231, 333-99239, 333-130175 and 333-145969 on Form S-8 of our reports dated February 28, 2018, relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of Viad Corp and subsidiaries, and the effectiveness of Viad Corp and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Viad Corp for the year ended December 31, 2017.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Phoenix, Arizona

February 28, 2018

EX-24

Exhibit 24

Power of Attorney

KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each director whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Steven W. Moster and Ellen M. Ingersoll, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K Annual Report of Viad Corp for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, and any and all amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed on this 27^th day of February, 2018, by the following persons:

/s/ Andrew B. Benett	/s/ Edward E. Mace
Andrew B. Benett	Edward E. Mace
Director of Viad Corp	Director of Viad Corp
/s/ Isabella Cunningham	/s/ Robert E. Munzenrider
Isabella Cunningham	Robert E. Munzenrider
Director of Viad Corp	Director of Viad Corp
/s/ Richard H. Dozer	/s/ Joshua E. Schechter
Richard H. Dozer	Joshua E. Schechter
Director of Viad Corp	Director of Viad Corp
/s/ Virginia L. Henkels
Virginia L. Henkels
Director of Viad Corp

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Steven W. Moster, certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Viad Corp;

2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.    The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)    Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)    Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)    Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)    Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.    The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)    All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)    Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 28, 2018	By: /s/ Steven W. Moster
	Steven W. Moster
	President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Ellen M. Ingersoll, certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Viad Corp;

2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.    The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)    Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)    Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)    Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)    Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.    The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)    All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)    Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 28, 2018	By: /s/ Ellen M. Ingersoll
	Ellen M. Ingersoll
	Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certifications of

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant To 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant To Section 906 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Steven W. Moster, Chief Executive Officer of Viad Corp, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that Viad Corp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the information contained in Viad Corp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, Viad Corp’s financial condition and results of operations.

Date:  February 28, 2018	By: /s/ Steven W. Moster
	Steven W. Moster
	President and Chief Executive Officer

I, Ellen M. Ingersoll, Chief Financial Officer of Viad Corp, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that Viad Corp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the information contained in Viad Corp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, Viad Corp’s financial condition and results of operations.

Date:  February 28, 2018	By: /s/ Ellen M. Ingersoll
	Ellen M. Ingersoll
	Chief Financial Officer

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Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	VIAD CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000884219
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Trading Symbol	VVI
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 948
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		20,422,762

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 53,723	$ 20,900
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $2,023 and $1,342, respectively		104,811	104,648
Inventories		30,372	31,420
Other current assets		21,030	18,449
Total current assets		209,936	175,417
Property and equipment, net		305,571	279,858
Other investments and assets		47,512	44,297
Deferred income taxes		23,548	42,549
Goodwill		270,551	254,022
Other intangible assets, net		62,781	73,673
Total Assets		919,899	869,816
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		77,380	67,596
Customer deposits		33,415	42,723
Accrued compensation		30,614	29,913
Other current liabilities		38,720	30,390
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	[1]	152,599	174,968
Total current liabilities		332,728	345,590
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations		56,593	74,243
Pension and postretirement benefits		28,135	28,611
Other deferred items and liabilities		52,858	50,734
Total liabilities		470,314	499,178
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest		6,648
Viad Corp stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $1.50 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 24,934,981 shares issued and outstanding		37,402	37,402
Additional capital		574,458	573,841
Retained earnings		65,836	16,291
Unearned employee benefits and other		218	172
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(22,568)	(39,391)
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 4,518,099 and 4,613,520 shares, respectively		(226,215)	(230,960)
Total Viad stockholders’ equity		429,131	357,355
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interest		13,806	13,283
Total stockholders’ equity		442,937	370,638
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity		$ 919,899	$ 869,816

[1] Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities are classified as current because all borrowed amounts are due within one year.

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 2,023	$ 1,342
Common stock, par value	$ 1.50	$ 1.50
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	24,934,981	24,934,981
Common stock, shares outstanding	24,934,981	24,934,981
Treasury stock, shares	4,518,099	4,613,520

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenue:
Exhibition and event services	$ 967,352	$ 881,137	$ 799,752
Exhibits and environments	165,745	170,469	177,126
Pursuit services	173,868	153,364	112,170
Total revenue	1,306,965	1,204,970	1,089,048
Costs and expenses:
Costs of services	1,050,547	954,667	868,369
Costs of products sold	161,992	165,118	166,095
Business interruption gain	(2,692)
Corporate activities	12,877	10,322	9,720
Interest income	(319)	(1,165)	(658)
Interest expense	8,304	5,898	4,535
Restructuring charges	1,004	5,183	2,956
Impairment charges (recoveries), net	(29,098)	218	96
Total costs and expenses	1,202,615	1,140,241	1,051,113
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	104,350	64,729	37,935
Income tax expense	45,898	21,250	10,493
Income from continuing operations	58,452	43,479	27,442
Loss from discontinued operations	(268)	(684)	(394)
Net income	58,184	42,795	27,048
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interest	(523)	(526)	(442)
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	46
Net income attributable to Viad	$ 57,707	$ 42,269	$ 26,606
Diluted income (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 2.84	$ 2.12	$ 1.34
Discontinued operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	(0.01)	(0.03)	(0.02)
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 2.83	$ 2.09	$ 1.32
Weighted-average outstanding and potentially dilutive common shares	20,405	20,177	19,981
Basic income (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 2.84	$ 2.12	$ 1.34
Discontinued operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	(0.01)	(0.03)	(0.02)
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 2.83	$ 2.09	$ 1.32
Weighted-average outstanding common shares	20,146	19,990	19,797
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.40	$ 0.40	$ 0.40
Amounts attributable to Viad common stockholders
Income from continuing operations	$ 57,975	$ 42,953	$ 27,000
Loss from discontinued operations	(268)	(684)	(394)
Net income attributable to Viad	$ 57,707	$ 42,269	$ 26,606

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 58,184	$ 42,795	$ 27,048
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax effects of $121, $47, and $(78)	195	75	(125)
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	17,058	(5,827)	(35,673)
Change in net actuarial gain (loss), net of tax effects of $163, $617, and $653	344	894	2,556
Change in prior service cost, net of tax effects of $(473), $(219), and $(210)	(774)	(357)	(345)
Comprehensive income (loss)	75,007	37,580	(6,539)
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interest	(523)	(526)	(442)
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	46
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Viad	$ 74,530	$ 37,054	$ (6,981)

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Unrealized investment gains (losses) arising during the period, tax effects	$ 121	$ 47	$ (78)
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss), tax effects	163	617	653
Amortization of prior service cost, tax effects	$ (473)	$ (219)	$ (210)

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Capital	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Unearned Employee Benefits and Other	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Common Stock in Treasury	Total Viad Equity	Non-Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 347,702	$ 37,402	$ 582,066	$ (36,427)	$ 23	$ (589)	$ (247,088)	$ 335,387	$ 12,315
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	27,048			26,606				26,606	442
Dividends on common stock ($0.40 per share)	(8,036)			(8,036)				(8,036)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(4,816)						(4,816)	(4,816)
Employee benefit plans	4,536		(7,957)				12,493	4,536
Share-based compensation—equity awards	2,156		2,156					2,156
Tax expense from share-based compensation	360		360					360
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	(35,673)					(35,673)		(35,673)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	(125)					(125)		(125)
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)	2,556					2,556		2,556
Amortization of prior service cost	(345)					(345)		(345)
Other, net	(25)		(102)	(9)	86			(25)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	335,338	37,402	576,523	(17,866)	109	(34,176)	(239,411)	322,581	12,757
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	42,795			42,269				42,269	526
Dividends on common stock ($0.40 per share)	(8,111)			(8,111)				(8,111)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(722)						(722)	(722)
Employee benefit plans	3,921		(5,251)				9,172	3,921
Share-based compensation—equity awards	2,525		2,525					2,525
Tax expense from share-based compensation	95		95					95
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	(5,827)					(5,827)		(5,827)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	75					75		75
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)	894					894		894
Amortization of prior service cost	(357)					(357)		(357)
Other, net	12		(51)	(1)	63		1	12
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	370,638	37,402	573,841	16,291	172	(39,391)	(230,960)	357,355	13,283
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	58,184
Net income	58,230			57,707				57,707	523
Dividends on common stock ($0.40 per share)	(8,160)			(8,160)				(8,160)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(2,119)						(2,119)	(2,119)
Employee benefit plans	4,177		(2,687)				6,864	4,177
Share-based compensation—equity awards	3,623		3,623					3,623
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	17,058					17,058		17,058
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	195					195		195
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)	344					344		344
Amortization of prior service cost	(774)					(774)		(774)
Other, net	(275)		(319)	(2)	46			(275)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 442,937	$ 37,402	$ 574,458	$ 65,836	$ 218	$ (22,568)	$ (226,215)	$ 429,131	$ 13,806

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Dividends on common stock per share	$ 0.40	$ 0.40	$ 0.40

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 58,184	$ 42,795	$ 27,048
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	55,114	42,743	35,231
Deferred income taxes	26,049	7,672	469
Loss from discontinued operations	268	684	394
Restructuring charges	1,004	5,183	2,956
Impairment charges (recoveries)	(29,098)	218	96
(Gains) losses on dispositions of property and other assets	1,420	(54)	(690)
Share-based compensation expense	10,969	8,038	3,848
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation arrangements		(95)	(418)
Other non-cash items, net	5,029	6,167	5,394
Change in operating assets and liabilities (excluding the impact of acquisitions):
Receivables	(2,338)	(9,358)	(16,665)
Inventories	2,505	(2,646)	4,872
Accounts payable	7,546	1,770	(2,619)
Restructuring liabilities	(1,954)	(3,866)	(2,572)
Accrued compensation	(5,152)	(353)	1,469
Customer deposits	(10,572)	8,429	408
Income taxes payable	5,820	(4,630)	67
Other assets and liabilities, net	(12,571)	(2,379)	989
Net cash provided by operating activities	112,223	100,318	60,277
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(56,621)	(49,815)	(29,839)
Proceeds from insurance	31,570
Cash paid for acquired businesses, net	(1,501)	(195,989)	(430)
Proceeds from dispositions of property and other assets	947	1,166	1,542
Net cash used in investing activities	(25,605)	(244,638)	(28,727)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings	90,004	229,701	50,000
Payments on debt and capital lease obligations	(135,801)	(108,915)	(62,969)
Dividends paid on common stock	(8,160)	(8,111)	(8,036)
Debt issuance costs	(5)	(336)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(2,119)	(722)	(4,816)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation arrangements		95	418
Acquisition of business - deferred consideration		(130)	(896)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			1,041
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(56,081)	111,582	(25,258)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2,286	(2,893)	(6,751)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	32,823	(35,631)	(459)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	20,900	56,531	56,990
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 53,723	$ 20,900	$ 56,531

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Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 1. Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Viad have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of Viad and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Nature of Business

We are an international experiential services company with operations principally in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, continental Europe, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong. We are committed to providing unforgettable experiences to our clients and guests. We operate through three reportable business segments: GES U.S., GES International, (collectively, “GES”), and Pursuit.

GES

GES is a global, full-service provider for live events that produces exhibitions, conferences, corporate events, and consumer events. GES offers a comprehensive range of live event services and a full suite of audio-visual services from creative and technology to content and design, along with online tools powered by next generation technologies that help clients easily manage the complexities of their events.

GES’ clients include event organizers and corporate brand marketers. Event organizers schedule and run the event from start to finish. Corporate brand marketers include exhibitors and domestic and international corporations that want to promote their brands, services and innovations, feature new products, and build business relationships. GES serves corporate brand marketers when they exhibit at shows and when GES is engaged to manage their global exhibit program or produce their proprietary corporate events.

Pursuit

Pursuit is a collection of iconic natural and cultural destination travel experiences that enjoy perennial demand. Pursuit is comprised of four lines of business: Hospitality, Attractions, Transportation, and Travel Planning. These four lines of business work together, driving economies of scope and meaningful scale in and around the iconic destinations of Banff, Jasper, and Waterton Lakes National Parks and Vancouver in Canada, and Glacier, Denali, and Kenai Fjords National Parks in the United States. Pursuit is comprised of Brewster Travel Canada, which is marketed as the Banff Jasper Collection; the Alaska Collection; Glacier Park, Inc., which is marketed as the Glacier Park Collection, and FlyOver.

Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported period. Estimates and assumptions are used in accounting for, among other things, the fair value of our reporting units used to perform annual impairment testing of recorded goodwill; allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable; provisions for income taxes, including uncertain tax positions; valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets; liabilities for losses related to self-insured liability claims; liabilities for losses related to environmental remediation obligations; sublease income associated with restructuring liabilities; assumptions used to measure pension and postretirement benefit costs and obligations; assumptions used to determine share-based compensation costs under the fair value method; assumptions in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests; and allocation of purchase price of acquired businesses. Actual results could differ from these and other estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are highly-liquid investments with remaining maturities when purchased of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and bank demand deposits and money market mutual funds. Investments in money market mutual funds are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

Allowances for doubtful accounts reflect the best estimate of probable losses inherent in the accounts receivable balance. The allowances for doubtful accounts, including a sales allowance for discounts at the time of sale, are based upon an evaluation of the aging of receivables, historical trends, and the current economic environment.

Inventories

Inventories, which consist primarily of exhibit design and construction materials and supplies, as well as deferred show costs, including labor, show purchases, and commissions used in providing convention show services, are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out and specific identification methods) or net realizable value.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Property and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets: buildings, 15 to 40 years; equipment, 3 to 12 years; and leasehold improvements, over the shorter of the lease term or useful life. Property and equipment are tested for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the long-lived asset may not be recoverable through undiscounted cash flows.

Capitalized Software

Certain internal and external costs incurred in developing or obtaining internal use software are capitalized. Capitalized costs principally relate to costs incurred to purchase software from third parties, external direct costs of materials and services, and certain payroll-related costs for employees directly associated with software projects once application development begins. Costs associated with preliminary project activities, training, and other post-implementation activities are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the software, ranging from three to ten years. These costs are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the caption “Property and equipment, net.”

Goodwill

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis as of October 31, and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. We use a discounted expected future cash flow methodology (income approach) in order to estimate the fair value of our reporting units for purposes of goodwill impairment testing. The estimates and assumptions regarding expected future cash flows, discount rates, and terminal values require considerable judgment and are based on market conditions, financial forecasts, industry trends, and historical experience. These estimates, however, have inherent uncertainties and different assumptions could lead to materially different results.

Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance

We have Company-owned life insurance contracts which are intended to fund the cost of certain employee compensation and benefit programs. These contracts are carried at cash surrender value, net of outstanding policy loans. The cash surrender value represents the amount of cash we could receive if the policies were discontinued before maturity. The changes in the cash surrender value of the policies, net of insurance premiums, are included as a component of “Costs of Services” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Self-Insurance Liabilities

We are self-insured up to certain limits for workers’ compensation, automobile, product and general liability, property loss, and medical claims. We retained certain liabilities related to workers’ compensation and general liability insurance claims in conjunction with previously sold operations. Provisions for losses for claims incurred, including estimated claims incurred but not yet reported, are made based on historical experience, claims frequency, insurance coverage, and other factors. We purchased insurance for amounts in excess of the self-insured levels.

Environmental Remediation Liabilities

Environmental remediation liabilities represent the estimated cost of environmental remediation obligations primarily associated with previously sold operations. The amounts accrued primarily consist of the estimated direct incremental costs, on an undiscounted basis, for contractor and other services related to remedial actions and post-remediation site monitoring. Environmental remediation liabilities are recorded when the specific obligation is considered probable and the costs are reasonably estimable. Subsequent recoveries from third parties, if any, are recorded through discontinued operations when realized. Environmental insurance is maintained that provides coverage for new and undiscovered pre-existing conditions at both our continuing and discontinued operations.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. Refer to Note 11 – Debt and Capital Lease Obligations for the estimated fair value of debt obligations.

Non-redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

Non-redeemable noncontrolling interest represents the portion of equity in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to us. Our non-redeemable noncontrolling interest relates to the equity ownership that we do not own in Glacier Park, Inc. of 20%. We report non-redeemable noncontrolling interest within stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of consolidated net income attributable to Viad and the non-redeemable noncontrolling interest is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  

Noncontrolling interests with redemption features that are not solely within our control are considered redeemable noncontrolling interests. The Esja purchase agreement contains a put option that gives the minority Esja shareholders the right to sell (or “put”) their Esja shares to us based on a calculated formula within a predefined term. This redeemable noncontrolling interest is considered temporary equity and we report it between liabilities and stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of the net income or loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests is recorded to retained earnings and is included in our earnings per share. Refer to Note 21 – Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest for additional information.

Foreign Currency Translation

Our foreign operations are primarily in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and to a lesser extent, in certain other countries. The functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries is their local currency. Accordingly, for purposes of consolidation, we translate the assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars at the foreign exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. The unrealized gains or losses resulting from the translation of these foreign denominated assets and liabilities are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For purposes of consolidation, revenue, expenses, gains, and losses related to our foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average foreign exchange rates for the period.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. GES derives revenue primarily by providing core services, event technology services, and audio-visual services to event organizers and exhibitors participating in live events. GES derives revenue from consumer events by charging visitors to view the touring exhibitions. Exhibition and event service’s revenue is recognized when services are completed, net of commissions. Exhibits and environments revenue is accounted for using the completed-contract method. Pursuit generates revenue through its hospitality, attractions, transportation, and travel planning services. Pursuit’s revenue is recognized at the time services are performed.

Insurance Recoveries

Receipts from insurance up to the amount of the recognized losses are considered recoveries and are accounted for when they are probable of receipt. Anticipated proceeds in excess of the recognized loss are considered a gain contingency. A contingency gain for anticipated insurance proceeds in excess of losses already recognized is not recognized until all contingencies relating to the insurance claim have been resolved.

Insurance proceeds allocated to business interruption gains are reported as cash flows from operating activities, and proceeds allocated to impairment recoveries are reported as cash flows from investing activities. Insurance proceeds used for capitalizable costs are classified as cash flows from investing activities, and proceeds used for non-capitalizable costs are classified as operating activities.

On December 29, 2016, the Mount Royal Hotel was damaged by a fire and closed. During the fourth quarter of 2016, we recorded an asset impairment loss of $2.2 million and an offsetting impairment recovery (and related insurance receivable) as the losses related to the fire were covered by our property and business interruption insurance. During July 2017, we resolved our property and business interruption insurance claims for a total of $36.3 million. We allocated $2.2 million to an insurance receivable, $29.3 million was recorded as an impairment recovery (partially offset by impairment charges of $0.2 million) related to construction costs to re-open the hotel, $2.5 million was recorded as a business interruption gain for the recovery of lost profits, $1.3 million was recorded as contra-expense to offset non-capitalizable costs incurred, and the remaining $1.0 million was recorded as deferred revenue, which will be recognized over the periods when the business interruption losses are actually incurred.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-based compensation costs, related to all share-based payment awards, are recognized and measured using the fair value method of accounting. These awards generally include restricted stock, liability-based awards (including performance units and restricted stock units), and stock options, and contain forfeiture and non-compete provisions.

The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on our closing stock price on the date of grant. We issue restricted stock awards from shares held in treasury. Future vesting of restricted stock is generally subject to continued employment. Holders of restricted stock have the right to receive dividends and vote the shares, but may not sell, assign, transfer, pledge, or otherwise encumber the stock, except to the extent restrictions have lapsed and in accordance with our stock trading policy.

Restricted stock awards vest between three and five years from the date of grant. Share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock is recognized using the straight-line method over the requisite service period of approximately three years. For awards with a five-year vesting period, expense is recognized based on an accelerated multiple-award approach over a five-year period. For these awards, 40% of the shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant and the remaining shares vest in 30% increments over the subsequent two anniversary dates.

Liability-based awards (including performance units and restricted stock units) are recorded at estimated fair value, based on the number of units expected to vest and where applicable, the level of achievement of predefined performance goals. These awards are remeasured on each balance sheet date based on our stock price, and the Monte Carlo simulation model, until the time of settlement. A Monte Carlo simulation requires the use of a number of assumptions, including historical volatility and correlation of our stock price and the price of the common shares of a comparator group, a risk-free rate of return, and an expected term. To the extent earned, liability-based awards are settled in cash based on our stock price. Compensation expense related to liability-based awards is recognized ratably over the requisite service period of approximately three years.

Equity-based awards (including performance units) are recorded at estimated fair value, based on the number of units expected to vest and the level of achievement of predefined performance goals, until the time of settlement. To the extent earned, equity-based awards are settled in our common stock. Compensation expense related to equity-based awards is recognized ratably over the requisite service period of approximately three years.

The fair value of stock option grants is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Share-based compensation expense related to stock option awards is recognized using the straight-line method over the requisite service period of approximately five years. The exercise price of stock options is based on the market value of our common stock at the date of grant. We have not granted stock options since 2010.

Common Stock in Treasury

Common stock purchased for treasury is recorded at historical cost. Subsequent share reissuances are primarily related to share-based compensation programs and recorded at weighted-average cost.

Income Per Common Share

We apply the two-class method in calculating income per common share as unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered participating securities. Accordingly, such securities are included in the earnings allocation in calculating income per share. The adjustment to the carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest is reflected in income per common share.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements:

Standard	Description	Date of adoption	Effect on the financial statements
Standards Not Yet Adopted
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)	The standard establishes a new recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. We may adopt either retrospectively to each prior period presented with the option to elect certain practical expedients or with the cumulative effect recognized at the date of initial application and providing certain disclosures. Subsequent to the issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB issued several amendments in 2016 which do not change the core principle of the guidance stated in ASU 2014-09. Rather, they are intended to clarify and improve understanding of certain topics included within the revenue standard.	January 1, 2018	We assigned internal resources and engaged a third-party service provider to assist in evaluating the impact on our accounting policies, processes, and system requirements. Based on our assessment, the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The impact primarily relates to the deferral of certain commissions which were previously expensed as incurred but will generally be capitalized and amortized over the period of contract performance, and the deferral of certain costs incurred in connection with trade shows which were previously expensed as incurred but will generally be capitalized and expensed upon the completion of the show. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2018 and will be using the modified retrospective transition method. Additionally, the new guidance requires enhanced disclosures, including revenue recognition policies to identify performance obligations to customers and significant judgments in measurement and recognition.
ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)	The amendment requires lessees to recognize on their balance sheet a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for leases with lease terms greater than one year. The amendment requires additional disclosures about leasing arrangements, and requires a modified retrospective approach to adoption. Early adoption is permitted.	January 1, 2019	We are currently evaluating the potential impact the adoption of this new guidance will have on our financial position or results of operations including analyzing our existing operating leases. Based on our current assessment, the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, however the income statement is not expected to be materially impacted. We expect the most significant impact will relate to facility and equipment leases, which are currently recorded as operating leases. We are continuing our assessment, which may identify other impacts. We will adopt the standard on January 1, 2019.
ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment	The amendment eliminates the requirement to estimate the implied fair value of goodwill if it was determined that the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeded its fair value. Goodwill impairment will now be recognized by the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The amendment should be applied prospectively and is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017.	January 1, 2020	The adoption of this new guidance is not expected to have a significant effect on our consolidated financial statements and we expect the adoption to reduce the complexity surrounding the analysis of goodwill impairment.

Standard	Description	Date of adoption	Effect on the financial statements
Standards Recently Adopted
ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting	The amendment identifies areas for simplification involving several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, an option to recognize gross stock compensation expense with actual forfeitures recognized as they occur, as well as certain classifications on the statement of cash flows.	January 1, 2017	The adoption of this new guidance resulted in a decrease in tax expense of $1.1 million, or a 1.1% decrease in our effective tax rate, as compared to 2016.

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Share-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Share-Based Compensation

Note 2. Share-Based Compensation

The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Performance unit incentive plan (“PUP”)	$	8,088		$	5,703		$	1,692
Restricted stock		2,594			2,073			2,111
Restricted stock units		287			262			45
Share-based compensation before income tax benefit		10,969			8,038			3,848
Income tax benefit		(4,079	)		(2,988	)		(1,454	)
Share-based compensation, net of income tax benefit	$	6,890		$	5,050		$	2,394

We recorded share-based compensation expense through restructuring expense of $0.1 million during 2017, $0.2 million in 2016, and $45,000 in 2015. The 2017 and 2016 amounts relate to PUP and restricted stock units. The 2015 amount related to restricted stock units. No share-based compensation costs were capitalized during 2017, 2016, or 2015.

The following table summarizes the activity of the outstanding share-based compensation awards:

	PUP Awards					Restricted Stock					Restricted Stock Units
	Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance at December 31, 2016		255,505		$	26.11		267,051		$	25.96		15,982		$	25.58
Granted		73,557		$	47.44		67,029		$	46.99		2,950		$	47.45
Vested		(76,082	)	$	24.07		(112,548	)	$	24.04		(6,182	)	$	24.97
Forfeited		(13,642	)	$	34.99		(14,633	)	$	35.31		—		$	—
Balance at December 31, 2017		239,338		$	32.80		206,899		$	33.16		12,750		$	30.94

Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan

We grant share-based compensation awards to our officers, directors, and certain key employees pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”). The 2017 Plan was approved by our stockholders and was effective May 18, 2017. The 2017 Plan replaced the 2007 Viad Corp Omnibus Stock Plan (the “2007 Plan”). No further awards may be made under the 2007 Plan, although awards previously granted under the 2007 Plan will remain outstanding in accordance with their respective terms. The 2017 Plan has a 10-year life and provides for the following types of awards: (a) incentive and non-qualified stock options; (b) restricted stock and restricted stock units; (c) performance units or performance shares; (d) stock appreciation rights; (e) cash-based awards; and (f) certain other stock-based awards. In June 2017, we registered 1,750,000 shares of common stock issuable under the 2017 Plan. As of December 31, 2017, there were 1,744,546 shares available for future grant under the 2017 Plan.

PUP Awards

In February 2016, the PUP Plan was amended to provide that PUP awards earned under the 2007 Plan may be payable in the form of cash or in shares of our common stock (or a combination of both). Previously, payouts could only be made in cash. The vesting of shares is based upon achievement of certain performance-based criteria. The performance period of the shares is three years.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we granted $3.5 million PUP awards of which $1.4 million are payable in shares. Liabilities related to PUP awards were $11.0 million as of December 31, 2017 and $7.6 million as of December 31, 2016. In March 2017, PUP awards granted in 2014 vested and we distributed cash payouts of $3.7 million. In March 2016, PUP awards granted in 2013 vested and we distributed cash payouts of $0.2 million. In March 2015, PUP awards granted in 2012 vested and we distributed cash payouts of $2.4 million.

Restricted Stock

The grant date fair value of vested restricted stock was $2.7 million in 2017, $2.0 million in 2016, and $2.2 million in 2015. As of December 31, 2017, the unamortized cost of outstanding restricted stock awards was $2.5 million, which we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.2 years. We repurchased 41,532 shares for $2.1 million in 2017 and 25,432 shares for $0.7 million in 2016 related to tax withholding requirements on vested share-based awards. During 2015, we repurchased 141,462 shares on the open market for $3.8 million and 35,649 shares for $1.0 million related to tax withholding requirements on vested share-based awards.

Restricted Stock Units

Aggregate liabilities related to restricted stock units was $0.5 million as of December 31, 2017 and $0.4 million as of December 31, 2016. In February 2017, portions of the 2012 and 2014 restricted stock units vested and we distributed cash payouts of $0.3 million. In February 2016, portions of the 2011, 2012, and 2013 restricted stock units vested and we distributed cash payouts of $0.2 million. In February 2015, portions of the 2010, 2011, and 2012 restricted stock units vested and we distributed cash payouts of $0.3 million.

Stock Options

During the year ended December 31, 2017, there was no stock option activity. As of both December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were 63,773 stock options outstanding and exercisable with a weighted-average exercise price of $16.62 and a weighted-average remaining contractual life of 2 years. As of December 31, 2017, there were no unrecognized costs related to non-vested stock option awards.

The following table provides additional stock option information:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Total intrinsic value of stock options outstanding(1)	$	2,473	$	1,753	$	740
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	—	$	—	$	1,474
Cash received from the exercise of stock options	$	—	$	—	$	898
Tax benefits realized for tax deductions related to stock option exercises	$	—	$	—	$	104

⁽¹⁾ The intrinsic value of stock options outstanding represents the difference between our closing stock price on December 31 of each year and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money stock options.

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Acquisition of Businesses

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisition of Businesses

Note 3. Acquisition of Businesses

2017 Acquisitions

Poken

In March 2017, we acquired Poken event engagement technology for total cash consideration of $1.7 million. Transaction costs associated with the acquisition of Poken were $0.3 million in 2017, which are included in cost of services in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. These assets have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

Esja

On November 3, 2017, we acquired the controlling interest (54.5% of the common stock) in Esja, a private corporation in Reykjavik, Iceland. Esja is developing and will operate a new FlyOver Iceland attraction, which is expected to open in 2019. The purchase price was €8.2 million (approximately $9.5 million) in cash, which included a put option that gives the minority Esja shareholders the right to sell (or “put”) their Esja shares to us based on a calculated formula within a predefined term. The noncontrolling interest’s carrying value is determined by the fair value of the noncontrolling interest as of the acquisition date, the noncontrolling interests’ share of the subsequent net income or loss, and the accretion of the redemption value of the put option. As of the transaction date, the fair value of the noncontrolling interest was estimated to be $6.7 million. Due to the recent timing of the acquisition, the fair value of the noncontrolling interest is not yet finalized and is subject to change within the measurement period (up to one year from the acquisition date). Refer to Note 21 – Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest for additional information.

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the purchase price is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is included in the Pursuit business group and the primary factor that contributed to the purchase price resulting in the recognition of goodwill relates to future income from operations after opening in 2019. Transaction costs associated with the acquisition of Esja were $0.1 million in 2017, which are included in cost of services in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The results of operations of Esja have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. During 2017, Esja had an operating loss of $0.1 million.

2016 Acquisitions

Maligne Lake Tours

On January 4, 2016, we acquired the assets and operations of Maligne Tours Ltd. (“Maligne Lake Tours”), which provides interpretive boat tours and related services at Maligne Lake, the largest lake in Jasper National Park. The purchase price was $20.9 million Canadian dollars (approximately $15.0 million U.S. dollars) in cash.

Transaction costs associated with the Maligne Lake Tours acquisition were $0.1 million in 2017 and $0.1 million in 2016, which are included in cost of services in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and $0.2 million in 2015, which are included in corporate activities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The results of operations of Maligne Lake Tours have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

CATC

On March 11, 2016, we acquired 100% of the equity interests in CATC Alaska Tourism Corporation (“CATC”), the operator of an Alaskan tourism business that includes a marine sightseeing tour business, three lodges, and a package tour business. The purchase price was $45.0 million in cash.

Transaction costs associated with the CATC acquisition were $0.1 million in 2017, $0.1 million in 2016, and $0.6 million in 2015, which are included in corporate activities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The results of operations of CATC have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

ON Services

On August 11, 2016, we acquired the assets and operations of ON Event Services, LLC (“ON Services”), a leading provider of audio-visual production services for live events in the United States. The aggregate purchase price was up to $92.5 million in cash, which included an earnout payment (the “Earnout”) of up to $5.5 million. The fair value of the Earnout was valued on the date of acquisition and was remeasured based on the financial performance of ON Services for 2016. As of the transaction date, the fair value of the Earnout was estimated to be $540,000.

Transaction costs associated with the ON Services acquisition were $0.1 million in 2017 and $0.9 million in 2016, which are included in corporate activities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The results of operations of ON Services have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

FlyOver Canada

On December 29, 2016, we acquired the assets and operations of FlyOver Canada, a recreational attraction that provides a virtual flight ride experience with a combination of motion seating, spectacular media, and visual effects including wind, scents, and mist. The purchase price was $68.8 million Canadian dollars (approximately $50.9 million U.S. dollars) in cash.

Transaction costs associated with the FlyOver Canada acquisition were $0.1 million in 2017 and $0.5 million in 2016, which are included in cost of services in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The results of operations of FlyOver Canada have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

The following table summarizes the final allocation of the aggregate purchase price paid and amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon the estimated fair value at the date of acquisitions. The balances in the table below remain unchanged from the balances reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

	Maligne Lake Tours		CATC			ON Services		FlyOver Canada
(in thousands)
Purchase price paid as:
Cash	$	14,962	$	45,000		$	87,000	$	50,920
Working capital adjustment		—		(35	)		344		—
Contingent consideration		—		—			540		—
Cash acquired		—		(2,196	)		—		(6	)
Total purchase price, net of cash acquired		14,962		42,769			87,884		50,914
Fair value of net assets acquired:
Accounts receivable		—		8			4,643		—
Inventories		246		921			256		11
Prepaid expenses		2		82			872		37
Property and equipment		4,133		43,470			14,827		10,867
Intangible assets		9,244		980			33,990		6,028
Total assets acquired		13,625		45,461			54,588		16,943
Accounts payable		—		306			992		—
Accrued liabilities		—		434			564		118
Customer deposits		15		1,952			851		—
Other liabilities		240		—			274		—
Total liabilities acquired		255		2,692			2,681		118
Total fair value of net assets acquired		13,370		42,769			51,907		16,825
Excess purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired (“goodwill”)	$	1,592	$	—		$	35,977	$	34,089

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the purchase prices as shown in the table above are allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is included in the Pursuit business group for Maligne Lake Tours and FlyOver Canada and in the GES business group for ON Services. The primary factor that contributed to the purchase price resulting in the recognition of goodwill relates to future growth opportunities, and the expansion of the FlyOver concept for FlyOver Canada, when combined with our other businesses. All goodwill is deductible for tax purposes pursuant to Canadian tax regulations for Maligne Lake Tours and FlyOver Canada and over a period of 15 years for ON Services. The estimated values of current assets and liabilities were based upon their historical costs on the date of acquisition due to their short-term nature.

Following are the details of the purchase price allocated to the intangible assets acquired for the 2016 Acquisitions:

(in thousands, except weighted average life)	Maligne Lake Tours		CATC		ON Services		FlyOver Canada
Customer relationships	$	788	$	780	$	27,620	$	1,592
Operating licenses		8,313		—		—		—
Trade name		143		200		3,190		3,710
Non-compete agreements		—		—		3,180		726
Fair value of intangible assets acquired	$	9,244	$	980	$	33,990	$	6,028
Weighted average life	26.7 years(1)		5.8 years		10.5 years		9.4 years

⁽¹⁾ Largely attributable to operating licenses amortized over the remaining Parks Canada lease of 29 years.

Supplementary pro forma financial information

The following table summarizes our unaudited pro forma results of operations assuming the 2016 Acquisitions had each been completed on January 1, 2015:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2016		2015
Revenue	$	1,250,290	$	1,183,656
Depreciation and amortization	$	52,074	$	52,631
Income from continuing operations	$	43,727	$	27,881
Net income attributable to Viad	$	42,517	$	27,045
Diluted income per share	$	2.10	$	1.35
Basic income per share	$	2.10	$	1.35

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Inventories

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories

Note 4. Inventories

The components of inventories consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Raw materials	$	17,550	$	16,846
Work in process		12,822		14,574
Inventories	$	30,372	$	31,420

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Other Current Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Other Current Assets

Note 5. Other Current Assets

Other current assets consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Prepaid vendor payments	$	5,048	$	3,633
Income tax receivable		4,237		3,614
Prepaid software maintenance		3,386		2,804
Prepaid insurance		2,610		2,479
Prepaid taxes		912		850
Prepaid rent		730		327
Prepaid other		2,172		731
Other		1,935		4,011
Other current assets	$	21,030	$	18,449

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Property and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment

Note 6. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016
Land and land interests(1)	$	32,544		$	31,670
Buildings and leasehold improvements		222,118			185,987
Equipment and other(2)		351,676			326,868
Gross property and equipment		606,338			544,525
Accumulated depreciation		(300,767	)		(264,667	)
Property and equipment, net	$	305,571		$	279,858

⁽¹⁾ Land and land interests include certain leasehold interests in land within Pursuit for which we are considered to have perpetual use rights. The carrying amount of these leasehold interests was $8.4 million as of December 31, 2017 and $7.9 million as of December 31, 2016. These land interests are not subject to amortization.

⁽²⁾ Equipment and other includes capitalized costs incurred in developing or obtaining internal and external use software. The net carrying amount of capitalized software was $10.1 million as of December 31, 2017 and $11.9 million as of December 31, 2016.

Depreciation expense was $42.7 million for 2017, $33.6 million for 2016, and $28.1 million for 2015.

Non-cash increases to property and equipment related to assets acquired under capital leases were $2.5 million for 2017, $1.2 million for 2016, and $1.0 million for 2015. Non-cash increases to property and equipment purchases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities were $2.3 million for 2017, $0.9 million for 2016, and $2.3 million for 2015.

On December 29, 2016, the Mount Royal Hotel in Banff, Canada was damaged by a fire and closed. As a result of the fire, we recorded an impairment loss of $2.2 million against the net book value of the hotel assets. During 2017, we resolved our property and business interruption insurance claims related to the fire for a total of $36.3 million of which $29.3 million was recorded as an impairment recovery (partially offset by impairment charges of $0.2 million) related to construction costs to re-open the hotel.

During 2016, we recorded impairment charges of $0.2 million related to the write-down of certain software and buses in Pursuit. During 2015, we recorded impairment charges of $0.1 million related to the write-off of certain software in Pursuit. Impairment charges (recoveries) are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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Other Investments and Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]

Other Investments and Assets

Note 7. Other Investments and Assets

Other investments and assets consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Cash surrender value of life insurance	$	23,947	$	23,197
Self-insured liability receivable		10,442		10,463
Workers’ compensation insurance security deposits		3,550		4,050
Other mutual funds		2,637		2,062
Other		6,936		4,525
Other investments and assets	$	47,512	$	44,297

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Note 8. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:

(in thousands)	GES U.S.		GES International			Pursuit		Total
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	112,300	$	38,635		$	34,288	$	185,223
Business acquisitions		35,977		—			35,681		71,658
Foreign currency translation adjustments		—		(4,175	)		1,316		(2,859	)
Balance at December 31, 2016		148,277		34,460			71,285		254,022
Business acquisitions		—		1,060			7,094		8,154
Foreign currency translation adjustments		—		3,320			5,055		8,375
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	148,277	$	38,840		$	83,434	$	270,551

The following table summarizes goodwill by reporting unit and segment:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
GES:
U.S.	$	148,277	$	148,277
International:
GES EMEA		31,612		27,694
GES Canada		7,228		6,766
Total GES		187,117		182,737
Pursuit:
Banff Jasper Collection		35,305		32,587
Alaska Collection		3,184		3,184
Glacier Park Collection		1,268		1,268
FlyOver		43,677		34,246
Total Pursuit		83,434		71,285
Total Goodwill	$	270,551	$	254,022

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis as of October 31, and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value.

GES U.S. goodwill is assigned to, and tested at, the operating segment level. GES International goodwill is assigned to and tested based on the segment’s geographical operations (GES Europe, Middle East, and Asia (“GES EMEA”) and GES Canada). Pursuit’s impairment testing is performed at the reporting unit level (Banff Jasper Collection, the Alaska Collection, Glacier Park Collection, and FlyOver).

As a result of our most recent impairment analysis performed as of October 31, 2017, the excess of the estimated fair value over the carrying value for each of our reporting units (expressed as a percentage of the carrying amounts) under step one of the impairment test for GES U.S. was 134%, GES EMEA was 214%, GES Canada was 164%, the Banff Jasper Collection was 147%, the Alaska Collection was 99%, the Glacier Park Collection was 16%, and FlyOver was 29%.

Our accumulated goodwill impairment as of both December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $229.7 million.

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:

	December 31, 2017							December 31, 2016
(in thousands)	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value
Amortized intangible assets:
Customer contracts and relationships	$	68,798	$	(23,696	)	$	45,102	$	67,762	$	(14,345	)	$	53,417
Operating contracts and licenses		9,951		(1,094	)		8,857		9,315		(652	)		8,663
Tradenames		8,633		(2,873	)		5,760		8,324		(1,440	)		6,884
Non-compete agreements		5,363		(3,007	)		2,356		5,190		(1,369	)		3,821
Other		896		(650	)		246		886		(458	)		428
Total amortized intangible assets		93,641		(31,320	)		62,321		91,477		(18,264	)		73,213
Unamortized intangible assets:
Business licenses		460		—			460		460		—			460
Other intangible assets	$	94,101	$	(31,320	)	$	62,781	$	91,937	$	(18,264	)	$	73,673

Intangible asset amortization expense was $12.4 million during 2017, $9.2 million during 2016, and $7.2 million during 2015. The weighted-average amortization period of customer contracts and relationships is approximately 8.5 years, operating contracts and licenses is approximately 26.3 years, tradenames is approximately 7.0 years, non-compete agreements is approximately 2.2 years, and other amortizable intangible assets is approximately 2.2 years. The estimated future amortization expense related to amortized intangible assets held at December 31, 2017 is as follows:

(in thousands)
Year ending December 31,
2018	$	11,013
2019		9,945
2020		8,444
2021		7,447
2022		5,895
Thereafter		19,577
Total	$	62,321

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Other Current Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Other Liabilities Current [Abstract]

Other Current Liabilities

Note 9. Other Current Liabilities

Other current liabilities consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Continuing operations:
Accrued income tax payable	$	7,518	$	758
Self-insured liability accrual		6,208		5,941
Commissions payable		3,235		639
Accrued employee benefit costs		2,915		2,624
Accrued sales and use taxes		2,431		4,279
Accrued dividends		2,094		2,119
Current portion of pension and postretirement liabilities		2,109		1,963
Deferred rent		1,679		1,535
Accrued rebates		1,106		1,078
Accrued professional fees		1,020		794
Accrued restructuring		722		1,924
Other taxes		2,750		4,210
Other		3,852		1,774
Total continuing operations		37,639		29,638
Discontinued operations:
Environmental remediation liabilities		648		492
Self-insured liability accrual		337		162
Other		96		98
Total discontinued operations		1,081		752
Total other current liabilities	$	38,720	$	30,390

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Other Deferred Items and Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

Other Deferred Items and Liabilities

Note 10. Other Deferred Items and Liabilities

Other deferred items and liabilities consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Continuing operations:
Self-insured liability	$	12,918	$	12,981
Self-insured excess liability		10,442		10,463
Accrued compensation		9,740		8,514
Foreign deferred tax liability		8,267		2,264
Deferred rent		3,855		5,271
Accrued restructuring		1,827		1,858
Other		1,305		1,300
Total continuing operations		48,354		42,651
Discontinued operations:
Self-insured liability		2,557		3,748
Environmental remediation liabilities		1,728		3,091
Accrued income taxes		—		1,045
Other		219		199
Total discontinued operations		4,504		8,083
Total other deferred items and liabilities	$	52,858	$	50,734

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Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

Note 11. Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

The components of long-term debt and capital lease obligations consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands, except interest rates)	2017			2016
Revolving credit facility and term loan, 3.1% weighted-average interest rate at   December 31, 2017 and 2.6% at December 31, 2016, due through 2019 (1)	$	207,322		$	212,750
Brewster Inc. revolving credit facility, 2.7% weighted-average interest rate at   December 31, 2016 (1)		—			36,456
Less unamortized debt issuance costs		(984	)		(1,464	)
Total debt		206,338			247,742
Capital lease obligations, 3.8% weighted-average interest rate at December 31,   2017 and 4.9% at December 31, 2016, due through 2021		2,854			1,469
Total debt and capital lease obligations		209,192			249,211
Current portion (2)		(152,599	)		(174,968	)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	56,593		$	74,243

⁽¹⁾ Represents the weighted-average interest rate in effect at the respective periods for the revolving credit facilities and term loan borrowings, including any applicable margin. The interest rates do not include amortization of debt issuance costs or commitment fees.

⁽²⁾ Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities are classified as current because all borrowed amounts are due within one year.

Effective December 22, 2014, we entered into a $300 million Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provides for a senior credit facility in the aggregate amount of $300 million, which consists of a $175 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and a $125 million term loan (the “Term Loan”). The Credit Agreement has a maturity date of December 22, 2019. Proceeds from the loans made under the Credit Agreement were used to refinance certain of our outstanding debt and will be used for general corporate purposes in the ordinary course of business. Under the Credit Agreement, either or both of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan may be increased up to an additional $100 million under certain circumstances. If such circumstances are met, we may obtain the additional borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Term Loan, or a combination of the two. The Revolving Credit Facility has a $40 million sublimit for letters of credit. Borrowings and letters of credit can be denominated in U.S. dollars, Euros, Canadian dollars, or British pounds. Our lenders under the Credit Agreement have a first perfected security interest in all of our personal property including GES, GES Event Intelligence Services, Inc., CATC, and ON Services, and 65% of the capital stock of our top-tier foreign subsidiaries.

Effective February 24, 2016, we executed an amendment (“Amendment No. 1”) to the Credit Agreement. Amendment No. 1 modified the terms of the financial covenants and the negative covenants related to acquisitions, restricted payments, and indebtedness. The overall maximum leverage ratio and minimum fixed charge coverage ratio are 3.50 to 1.00 and 1.75 to 1.00, respectively, and will remain at those levels for the entire remaining term of the Credit Agreement. Acquisitions in substantially the same or related lines of business are permitted under Amendment No. 1, as long as the pro forma leverage ratio is less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00. We can make dividends, distributions, and repurchases of our common stock up to $20 million per calendar year. Stock dividends, distributions, and repurchases above the $20 million limit are not subject to a liquidity covenant, and are permitted as long as our pro forma leverage ratio is less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00 and no default or unmatured default, as defined in the Credit Agreement, exists. Unsecured debt is allowed as long as our pro forma leverage ratio is less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00. Significant other covenants under the Credit Agreement that were not affected by Amendment No. 1 include limitations on investments, sales/leases of assets, consolidations or mergers, and liens on property. As of December 31, 2017, the fixed charge coverage ratio was 3.10 to 1.00, the leverage ratio was 1.45 to 1.00, and we were in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement.

Effective December 28, 2016, Brewster Inc., part of Pursuit, entered into a credit agreement (the “Brewster Credit Agreement”) with a $38 million revolving credit facility (the “Brewster Revolver”). The Brewster Credit Agreement was used in connection with the FlyOver Canada acquisition. Effective December 6, 2017, we amended the Brewster Revolver to reduce the amount to $20 million and extend the maturity date to December 28, 2018. Additional loan proceeds will be used for potential future acquisitions in Canada and other general corporate purposes of Brewster Inc. The lender under the Brewster Revolver has a first perfected security interest in all of Brewster Inc.’s personal property and a guaranty from Brewster Inc.’s immediate parent, Brewster Travel Canada Inc. (secured by its present and future personal property), Viad, and all of its current or future subsidiaries that are required to be guarantors under Viad’s Credit Agreement. The fees on the unused portion of the Brewster Revolver are currently 0.2% annually.

As of December 31, 2017, our total debt and capital lease obligations were $209.2 million, consisting of outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan of $75.0 million, the Revolving Credit Facility of $132.3 million, and capital lease obligations of $2.9 million, offset in part by unamortized debt issuance costs of $1.0 million. As of December 31, 2017, capacity remaining under the Revolving Credit Facility was $41.4 million, reflecting borrowings of $132.3 million and $1.3 million in outstanding letters of credit. As of December 31, 2017, Brewster Inc. had $20 million of capacity remaining under the Brewster Revolver.

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility (of which GES, GES Event Intelligence Services, Inc., CATC, and ON Services are guarantors) are indexed to the prime rate or the London Interbank Offered Rate, plus appropriate spreads tied to our leverage ratio. Commitment fees and letters of credit fees are also tied to our leverage ratio. The fees on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility are currently 0.3% annually.

As of December 31, 2017, on behalf of our subsidiaries, we had certain obligations under guarantees to third parties. These guarantees are not subject to liability recognition in the consolidated financial statements and relate to leased facilities entered into by our subsidiary operations. We would generally be required to make payments to the respective third parties under these guarantees in the event that the related subsidiary could not meet its own payment obligations. The maximum potential amount of future payments that we would be required to make under all guarantees existing as of December 31, 2017 would be $19.3 million. These guarantees relate to facilities leased through October 2027. There are no recourse provisions that would enable us to recover from third parties any payments made under the guarantees. Furthermore, there are no collateral or similar arrangements whereby we could recover payments.

Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations as of December 31, 2017 are as follows:

(in thousands)	Revolving Credit Agreement		Capital Lease Obligations
Year ending December 31,
2018	$	151,072	$	1,601
2019		56,250		899
2020		—		454
2021		—		17
2022		—		—
Total	$	207,322	$	2,971
Less: Amount representing interest				(117	)
Present value of minimum lease payments			$	2,854

As of December 31, 2017, the gross amount of assets recorded under capital leases was $4.8 million and accumulated amortization was $2.0 million. As of December 31, 2016, the gross amount of assets recorded under capital leases was $3.3 million and accumulated amortization was $1.7 million. The amortization charges related to assets recorded under capital leases are included in depreciation expense. Refer to Note 6 – Property and Equipment.

The weighted-average interest rate on total debt (including amortization of debt issuance costs and commitment fees) was 3.7% for 2017, 3.1% for 2016 and 3.2% for 2015. The estimated fair value of total debt was $203.2 million as of December 31, 2017 and $252.8 million as of December 31, 2016. The fair value of debt was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using rates currently available for debt of similar terms and maturity.

Cash paid for interest on debt was $7.7 million for 2017, $5.5 million for 2016, and $4.2 million for 2015.

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Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Note 12. Fair Value Measurements

The fair value of an asset or liability is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value guidance requires an entity to maximize the use of quoted prices and other observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value, and also establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value as follows:

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of fair value.

Money market mutual funds and certain other mutual fund investments are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 1 inputs. The fair value information related to these assets is summarized in the following tables:

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2017		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	119	$	119	$	—	$	—
Other mutual funds(2)		2,637		2,637		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	2,756	$	2,756	$	—	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2016		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	118	$	118	$	—	$	—
Other mutual funds(2)		2,062		2,062		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	2,180	$	2,180	$	—	$	—

⁽¹⁾ Money market funds are included in “Cash and cash equivalents” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These investments are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value. There have been no realized gains or losses related to these investments and we have not experienced any redemption restrictions with respect to any of the money market mutual funds.

⁽²⁾ Other mutual funds are included in “Other investments and assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These investments are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains of $1.0 million ($0.6 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2017 and $0.7 million ($0.4 million after tax) as of December 31, 2016 are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” (“AOCI”) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. Refer to Note 11 – Debt and Capital Lease Obligations for the estimated fair value of debt obligations.

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Income Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Income Per Share

Note 13. Income Per Share

The components of basic and diluted income per share are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2017			2016			2015
Net income attributable to Viad (diluted)	$	57,707		$	42,269		$	26,606
Less: Allocation to non-vested shares		(700	)		(571	)		(385	)
Adjustment to carrying value of redeemable noncontrolling interest		—			—			—
Net income allocated to Viad common stockholders (basic)	$	57,007		$	41,698		$	26,221
Basic weighted-average outstanding common shares		20,146			19,990			19,797
Additional dilutive shares related to share-based compensation		259			187			184
Diluted weighted-average outstanding shares		20,405			20,177			19,981
Income per share:
Basic income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	2.83		$	2.09		$	1.32
Diluted income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	2.83		$	2.09		$	1.32

Options to purchase 8,000 shares during 2017, 500 shares during 2016, and 4,000 shares during 2015 of common stock were outstanding, but were not included in the computation of dilutive shares outstanding because the effect would be anti-dilutive.

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Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

Note 14. Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

We authorized five million shares of Preferred Stock and two million shares of Junior Participating Preferred Stock, none of which was outstanding on December 31, 2017.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Note 15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in AOCI by component are as follows:

(in thousands)	Unrealized Gains on Investments			Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Unrecognized Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Credit, Net			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	346		$	(23,257	)	$	(11,265	)	$	(34,176	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		135			(5,827	)		—			(5,692	)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		(60	)		—			537			477
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		75			(5,827	)		537			(5,215	)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	421		$	(29,084	)	$	(10,728	)	$	(39,391	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		257			17,058			—			17,315
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		(62	)		—			(430	)		(492	)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		195			17,058			(430	)		16,823
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	616		$	(12,026	)	$	(11,158	)	$	(22,568	)

The following table presents information about reclassification adjustments out of AOCI:

	Year Ended December 31,						Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
(in thousands)	2017			2016
Unrealized gains on investments	$	(100	)	$	(97	)	Interest income
Tax effect		38			37		Income taxes
	$	(62	)	$	(60	)
Recognized net actuarial loss (gains)(1)	$	507		$	1,440
Amortization of prior service credit(1)		(1,247	)		(575	)
Tax effect		310			(328	)	Income taxes
	$	(430	)	$	537

⁽¹⁾ Amount included in pension expense. Refer to Note 17 – Pension and Postretirement Benefits.

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Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Note 16. Income Taxes

We record current income tax expense for the amounts that we expect to report and pay on our income tax returns and deferred income tax expense for the change in the deferred tax assets and liabilities. On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) that significantly changed the U.S. tax code and reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, measured at the enacted tax rate applicable when the differences reverse. We recognized deferred tax expense of $8.0 million for the remeasurement of the net deferred tax assets in the fourth quarter of 2017.  

The Tax Act included the transition from a worldwide system of taxation to a territorial system and required a one-time deemed mandatory repatriation of post-1986 undistributed foreign subsidiary earnings and profits (“E&P”). As of December 31, 2017, we had an estimated $174.0 million of undistributed foreign E&P subject to the deemed mandatory repatriation and recognized current income tax expense of $8.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.  

In addition to the impact recorded as of December 31, 2017, the Tax Act changed existing tax laws, effective January 1, 2018, including the repeal of the corporate alternative minimum tax and the increasing alternative minimum tax credit carryforward utilization, as well as establishing two new taxes, the base erosion anti-abuse tax (“BEAT”) and the global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) tax after the foreign intangible deduction (“FDII”).

Under the new BEAT regime, certain payments made to related foreign companies are treated as base-eroding and limits the deductibility of these payments and imposes a minimum tax in excess of regular tax liability. We have reviewed the applicability of the BEAT provisions to our transactions and we do not expect to be subject to BEAT and have not recorded any provision for BEAT in the year ended December 31, 2017.

Under the new GILTI regime, earnings of foreign subsidiaries in excess of an allowable return on the subsidiary’s tangible assets are required to be included in our U.S. taxable income. Because of the complexity of the new GILTI tax rules, we are continuing to assess the impact and have not recorded a provision for the GILTI tax in the year ended December 31, 2017.

On December 22, 2017, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act under U.S. GAAP for SEC registrants who do not have the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act. In accordance with SAB 118, to the extent that a company’s accounting is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in the financial statements.  

We have not completed the detailed accounting for all of the income tax effects of the Tax Act, specifically the BEAT and GILTI taxes, since the computations are complex and we need additional time to complete a full analysis. Under SAB 118, we recorded a provisional estimate for the mandatory repatriation of post-1986 undistributed foreign subsidiary E&P of $8.1 million and the remeasurement of the net deferred tax assets of $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The ultimate impact may differ from these provisional amounts, possibly materially, due to additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions we have made, additional regulatory guidance that may be issued and actions we may take as a result of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the enactment date and we expect to complete the detailed accounting and include any adjustments within this period.

Income from continuing operations before income taxes consisted of the following: 

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Foreign	$	82,919	$	33,611	$	35,571
United States		21,431		31,118		2,364
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	104,350	$	64,729	$	37,935

Significant components of the income tax provision from continuing operations are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016			2015
Current:
United States:
Federal	$	1,693	$	3,685		$	(876	)
State		2,573		1,716			1,558
Foreign		15,583		8,177			9,342
Total current		19,849		13,578			10,024
Deferred:
United States:
Federal		19,893		8,427			1,854
State		1,761		(598	)		(164	)
Foreign		4,395		(157	)		(1,221	)
Total deferred		26,049		7,672			469
Income tax expense	$	45,898	$	21,250		$	10,493

We are subject to income tax in jurisdictions in which we operate. A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017					2016					2015
Computed income tax expense at statutory federal income tax rate of 35%	$	36,522		35.0	%	$	22,655		35.0	%	$	13,277		35.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit		1,160		1.1	%		292		0.5	%		1,713		4.5	%
Deemed mandatory repatriation state tax		1,206		1.2	%		—		—			—		—
Deemed mandatory repatriation federal tax, net of foreign tax credit		6,936		6.6	%		—		—			—		—
Remeasurement of deferred taxes due to reduction in U.S. tax rate *		8,000		7.7	%		—		—			—		—
Foreign tax rate differential		(5,031	)	(4.8	)%		(882	)	(1.4	)%		(1,181	)	(3.1	)%
U.S. tax on current year foreign earnings, net of foreign tax credits		(2,726	)	(2.6	)%		(373	)	(0.6	)%		(948	)	(2.5	)%
Change in valuation allowance		(796	)	(0.8	)%		1,230		1.9	%		(944	)	(2.5	)%
Other adjustments, net		627		0.6	%		(1,672	)	(2.6	)%		(1,424	)	(3.7	)%
Income tax expense	$	45,898		44.0	%	$	21,250		32.8	%	$	10,493		27.7	%

* Includes $0.6 million increase to the valuation allowance related to the remeasurement of deferred taxes due to the reduction in U.S. tax rate.

The components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016
Deferred tax assets:
Tax credit carryforwards	$	6,654		$	11,380
Pension, compensation, and other employee benefits		15,173			22,868
Provisions for losses		5,826			10,235
Net operating loss carryforward		5,195			5,023
State income taxes		2,502			3,790
Other deferred income tax assets		2,796			5,020
Total deferred tax assets		38,146			58,316
Valuation allowance		(4,010	)		(3,998	)
Foreign deferred tax assets included above		(2,396	)		(1,972	)
Net deferred tax assets		31,740			52,346
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		(10,530	)		(3,299	)
Deferred tax related to life insurance		(3,556	)		(5,642	)
Goodwill and other intangible assets		(4,299	)		(4,535	)
Other deferred income tax liabilities		(463	)		(557	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(18,848	)		(14,033	)
Foreign deferred tax liabilities included above		7,869			2,852
United States net deferred tax assets	$	20,761		$	41,165

We use significant judgment in forming conclusions regarding the recoverability of our deferred tax assets and evaluate all available positive and negative evidence to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. To the extent recovery does not appear likely, a valuation allowance must be recorded. We had gross deferred tax assets of $38.1 million as of December 31, 2017 and $58.3 million as of December 31, 2016. These deferred tax assets reflect the expected future tax benefits to be realized upon reversal of deductible temporary differences and the utilization of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.

As of December 31, 2017, foreign tax credit carryforwards were $0.4 million, of which $0.1 million are U.S. foreign tax credits and $0.3 million are United Kingdom foreign tax credits. The U.S. foreign tax credits are subject to a 10-year carryforward period and will expire in 2021. As of December 31, 2017, we had alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards of $6.2 million that will be fully utilized against future tax liabilities before becoming refundable as allowed under the Tax Act.

We had gross state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $68.4 million as of December 31, 2017 and $63.0 million as of December 31, 2016, for which we had deferred tax assets of $5.2 million as of December 31, 2017 and $5.0 million as of December 31, 2016. The state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards expire on various dates from 2018 through 2038.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the valuation allowance was $4.0 million. During 2017, we had a $1.6 million decrease on German foreign net operating loss carryforwards, offset by a $0.3 million increase for the United Kingdom foreign tax credits (although subject to an indefinite carryforward period, do not meet the more likely-than-not threshold for recognition), a $0.5 million increase for the state net operating loss return to provision true up, a $0.6 million increase due to the remeasurement for the reduction in U.S. tax rate, and a $0.2 million increase in foreign exchange.

While we believe that the deferred tax assets, net of existing valuation allowances, will be utilized in future periods, there are inherent uncertainties regarding the ultimate realization of these assets. It is possible that the relative weight of positive and negative evidence regarding the realization of deferred tax assets may change, which could result in a material increase or decrease in our valuation allowance. Such a change could result in a material increase or decrease to income tax expense in the period the assessment was made.

We have not recorded deferred taxes for certain states or foreign withholding taxes on certain historical unremitted earnings of our subsidiaries located in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands as we intend to reinvest those earnings in operations outside of the United States.

We exercise judgment in determining the income tax provision for positions taken on prior returns when the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We classify liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions as non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets unless expected to be paid or released within one year. We had liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, of $1.7 million as of December 31, 2017 and $2.7 million as of December 31, 2016. Uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, are classified as a component of income tax expense.

During 2017, we decreased the liability for continuing operations uncertain tax positions by $0.1 million due to lapse of statute and we increased accrued interest and penalties for continuing operations positions by $0.1 million. We expect $1.3 million of the continuing operations uncertain tax positions to be resolved or settled within the next twelve months and have classified this amount as a current liability.

During 2017, we released the liability for discontinued operations uncertain tax positions of $1.0 million, including $0.4 million in accrued interest and penalties, due to a statute expiration, which was recorded through discontinued operations. We had liabilities associated with discontinued operations uncertain tax positions of zero as of December 31, 2017 and $1.0 million as of December 31, 2016.

A reconciliation of the liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions (excluding interest and penalties) is as follows:

(in thousands)	Continuing Operations			Discontinued Operations			Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	1,283		$	636		$	1,919
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		43			—			43
Reductions for tax positions taken in prior years		(666	)		—			(666	)
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		(353	)		—			(353	)
Balance at December 31, 2015		307			636			943
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		1,295			—			1,295
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		(43	)		—			(43	)
Balance at December 31, 2016		1,559			636			2,195
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		43			—			43
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		(177	)		(636	)		(813	)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	1,425		$	—		$	1,425

We are subject to regular and recurring audits by taxing authorities in jurisdictions in which we operate or have operated in the past, including various foreign countries in addition to the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Our 2014 through 2017 U.S. federal tax years and various state tax years from 2013 through 2017 remain subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities. Tax years 2012 through 2017 remain subject to examination by various foreign taxing jurisdictions.

Cash paid for income taxes was $14.6 million during 2017, $14.1 million during 2016, and $10.1 million during 2015.

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Pension and Postretirement Benefits

Note 17. Pension and Postretirement Benefits

Domestic Plans

We have frozen defined benefit pension plans held in trust for certain employees which we funded. We also maintain certain unfunded defined benefit pension plans which provide supplemental benefits to select management employees. These plans use traditional defined benefit formulas based on years of service and final average compensation. Funding policies provide that payments to defined benefit pension trusts shall be at least equal to the minimum funding required by applicable regulations.

We also have certain defined benefit postretirement plans that provide medical and life insurance for certain eligible employees, retirees, and dependents. The related postretirement benefit liabilities are recognized over the period that services are provided by employees. In addition, we retained the obligations for these benefits for retirees of certain sold businesses. While the plans have no funding requirements, we may fund the plans.

The components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) of our pension plans consist of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	64		$	98		$	101
Interest cost		803			1,032			1,018
Expected return on plan assets		(176	)		(256	)		(380	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		433			423			492
Net periodic benefit cost		1,124			1,297			1,231
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss (gain)		114			1			(963	)
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss		(433	)		(423	)		(492	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		(319	)		(422	)		(1,455	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income (loss)	$	805		$	875		$	(224	)

The components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) of our postretirement benefit plans consist of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	92		$	99		$	152
Interest cost		413			573			619
Amortization of prior service credit		(431	)		(503	)		(552	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		164			295			528
Net periodic benefit cost		238			464			747
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss (gain)		237			(790	)		(1,248	)
Prior service credit		816			73			3
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss		(164	)		(295	)		(528	)
Prior service credit		431			503			552
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		1,320			(509	)		(1,221	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income (loss)	$	1,558		$	(45	)	$	(474	)

The following table indicates the funded status of the plans as of December 31:

													Postretirement
	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans						Benefit Plans
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	15,027		$	14,906		$	9,825		$	10,049		$	13,619		$	14,573
Service cost		—			—			64			97			92			99
Interest cost		492			629			311			403			413			573
Actuarial adjustments		618			240			175			(221	)		237			(790	)
Plan amendments		—			—			—			—			816			73
Benefits paid		(697	)		(748	)		(518	)		(503	)		(1,370	)		(909	)
Benefit obligation at end of year		15,440			15,027			9,857			9,825			13,807			13,619
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		10,416			10,479			—			—			—			—
Actual return on plan assets		855			273			—			—			—			—
Company contributions		1,016			412			518			503			1,370			909
Benefits paid		(697	)		(748	)		(518	)		(503	)		(1,370	)		(909	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		11,590			10,416			—			—			—			—
Funded status at end of year	$	(3,850	)	$	(4,611	)	$	(9,857	)	$	(9,825	)	$	(13,807	)	$	(13,619	)

The net amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the caption “Pension and postretirement benefits” as of December 31 are as follows:

									Postretirement
	Funded Plans				Unfunded Plans				Benefit Plans
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016
Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	809	$	699	$	1,112	$	1,094
Non-current liabilities		3,850		4,611		9,048		9,126		12,695		12,525
Net amount recognized	$	3,850	$	4,611	$	9,857	$	9,825	$	13,807	$	13,619

Amounts recognized in AOCI as of December 31 are as follows:

													Postretirement
	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans						Benefit Plans						Total			Total
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016
Net actuarial loss	$	8,681		$	9,090		$	2,587		$	2,496		$	2,784		$	2,710		$	14,052		$	14,296
Prior service credit		—			—			—			—			(351	)		(1,598	)		(351	)		(1,598	)
Subtotal		8,681			9,090			2,587			2,496			2,433			1,112			13,701			12,698
Less tax effect		(3,292	)		(3,447	)		(981	)		(947	)		(923	)		(422	)		(5,196	)		(4,816	)
Total	$	5,389		$	5,643		$	1,606		$	1,549		$	1,510		$	690		$	8,505		$	7,882

The estimated net actuarial loss for the postretirement benefit plans that is expected to be amortized from AOCI into net periodic benefit cost in 2018 is approximately $0.2 million. The estimated prior service credit for the postretirement benefit plans that is expected to be amortized from AOCI into net periodic benefit credit in 2018 is approximately $0.2 million.

The estimated net actuarial loss that is expected to be amortized from AOCI into net periodic benefit cost in 2018 is approximately $0.1 million for the unfunded benefit plans and $0.4 million for the funded benefit plans.

The fair value of the domestic plans’ assets by asset class are as follows:

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017
			Quoted Prices in Active Markets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
(in thousands)	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Domestic pension plans:
Fixed income securities	$	5,787	$	5,787	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		5,390		5,390		—		—
Cash		214		214		—		—
Other		199		—		199		—
Total	$	11,590	$	11,391	$	199	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016
			Quoted Prices in Active Markets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
(in thousands)	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Domestic pension plans:
Fixed income securities	$	5,352	$	5,352	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		4,580		4,580		—		—
Cash		280		280		—		—
Other		204		—		204		—
Total	$	10,416	$	10,212	$	204	$	—

We employ a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income securities is used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of plan liabilities, plan funded status, and corporate financial condition. The investment portfolio contains a diversified blend of equity and fixed income securities. Furthermore, equity securities are diversified across U.S. and non-U.S. stocks, as well as growth and value. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through quarterly investment portfolio reviews and annual liability measurements.

We utilize a building-block approach in determining the long-term expected rate of return on plan assets. Historical markets are studied and long-term historical relationships between equity securities and fixed income securities are preserved consistent with the widely accepted capital market principle that assets with higher volatility generate a greater return over the long run. Current market factors such as inflation and interest rates are evaluated before long-term capital market assumptions are determined. The long-term portfolio return also considers diversification and rebalancing. Peer data and historical returns are reviewed relative to our assumed rates for reasonableness and appropriateness.

The following pension and postretirement benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

(in thousands)	Funded Plans		Unfunded Plans		Postretirement Benefit Plans
2018	$	1,434	$	823	$	1,132
2019	$	927	$	738	$	1,127
2020	$	997	$	740	$	1,100
2021	$	921	$	725	$	1,066
2022	$	990	$	709	$	1,039
2023-2027	$	4,859	$	3,259	$	4,685

Foreign Pension Plans

Certain of our foreign operations also maintain defined benefit pension plans held in trust for certain employees which are funded by the companies, and unfunded defined benefit pension plans providing supplemental benefits to select management employees. These plans use traditional defined benefit formulas based on years of service and final average compensation. Funding policies provide that payments to defined benefit pension trusts shall be at least equal to the minimum funding required by applicable regulations. The components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) included the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	530		$	488		$	503
Interest cost		492			488			505
Expected return on plan assets		(602	)		(558	)		(583	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		155			162			160
Settlement		777			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost		1,352			580			585
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss		(106	)		158			182
Reversal of amortization of net actuarial loss		(155	)		(162	)		(160	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		(261	)		(4	)		22
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income	$	1,091		$	576		$	607

The following table represents the funded status of the plans as of December 31:

	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	10,488		$	9,744		$	2,486		$	2,470
Service cost		530			488			—			—
Interest cost		406			400			87			87
Actuarial adjustments		658			395			(54	)		105
Benefits paid		(3,231	)		(818	)		(182	)		(177	)
Translation adjustment		670			279			245			1
Benefit obligation at end of year		9,521			10,488			2,582			2,486
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		10,576			9,705			—			—
Actual return on plan assets		764			617			—			—
Company contributions		710			795			182			177
Benefits paid		(3,231	)		(818	)		(182	)		(177	)
Translation adjustment		674			277			—			—
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		9,493			10,576			—			—
Funded status at end of year	$	(28	)	$	88		$	(2,582	)	$	(2,486	)

The net amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the caption “Pension and postretirement benefits” as of December 31 were as follows:

	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2017		2016
Non-current assets	$	(15	)	$	(88	)	$	—	$	—
Other current liabilities		—			—			188		170
Non-current liabilities		43			—			2,394		2,316
Net amount recognized	$	28		$	(88	)	$	2,582	$	2,486

Net actuarial losses for the foreign funded plans recognized in AOCI were $2.5 million ($1.8 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2017 and $3.3 million ($2.5 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2016. Net actuarial losses for the foreign unfunded plans recognized in AOCI were $0.7 million ($0.5 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2017 and $0.4 million ($0.3 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2016.

The fair value information related to the foreign pension plans’ assets is summarized in the following tables:

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2017		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Fixed income securities	$	4,414	$	4,414	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		4,889		4,466		423		—
Other		190		190		—		—
Total	$	9,493	$	9,070	$	423	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2016		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Fixed income securities	$	4,082	$	4,082	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		4,518		4,130		388		—
Other		1,976		1,976		—		—
Total	$	10,576	$	10,188	$	388	$	—

The following payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

(in thousands)	Funded Plans		Unfunded Plans
2018	$	365	$	191
2019	$	376	$	190
2020	$	378	$	190
2021	$	396	$	190
2022	$	496	$	189
2023-2027	$	2,499	$	935

Information for Pension Plans with an Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets

The accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of December 31 were as follows:

	Domestic Plans
	Funded Plans				Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2017		2016
Projected benefit obligation	$	15,440	$	15,027	$	9,857	$	9,825
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	15,440	$	15,027	$	9,826	$	9,737
Fair value of plan assets	$	11,590	$	10,416	$	—	$	—

	Foreign Plans
	Funded Plans				Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2017		2016
Projected benefit obligation	$	9,521	$	10,488	$	2,582	$	2,486
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	8,819	$	9,906	$	2,582	$	2,486
Fair value of plan assets	$	9,493	$	10,576	$	—	$	—

Contributions

In aggregate for both the domestic and foreign plans, we anticipate contributing $1.1 million to the funded pension plans, $1.0 million to the unfunded pension plans, and $1.1 million to the postretirement benefit plans in 2018.

Weighted-Average Assumptions

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31 were as follows:

	Domestic Plans
	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans						Postretirement Benefit Plans						Foreign Plans
	2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016
Discount rate		3.63	%		4.12	%		3.55	%		3.99	%		3.59	%		4.08	%		3.15	%		3.52	%
Rate of compensation increase	N/A			N/A				3.00	%		3.00	%	N/A			N/A				2.26	%		2.34	%

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs as of December 31 were as follows:

	Domestic Plans
	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans						Postretirement Benefit Plans						Foreign Plans
	2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016
Discount rate		4.07	%		4.33	%		3.99	%		4.25	%		4.08	%		4.30	%		3.71	%		3.77	%
Expected return on plan assets		5.50	%		2.25	%	N/A			N/A				0.00	%		0.00	%		5.09	%		4.53	%
Rate of compensation increase	N/A			N/A				3.00	%		3.00	%	N/A			N/A				2.26	%		2.34	%

The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring the December 31, 2017 accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 7.5%, declining one-third percent each year to the ultimate rate of 4.5% by the year 2026 and remaining at that level thereafter. The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring the December 31, 2016 accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 7.0%, declining one-quarter percent each year to the ultimate rate of 4.5% by the year 2026 and remaining at that level thereafter.

A one-percentage-point increase in the assumed health care cost trend rate for each year would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2017 by approximately $1.4 million and the total of service and interest cost components by approximately $0.1 million. A one-percentage-point decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rate for each year would decrease the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2017 by approximately $1.1 million and the total of service and interest cost components by approximately $0.1 million.

Multi-employer Plans

We contribute to defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements that cover our union-represented employees. The financial risks of participating in these multi-employer pension plans generally include the fact that assets contributed to the plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers. Furthermore, if a participating employer ceases to contribute to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers. In addition, if we were to discontinue participating in some of our multi-employer pension plans, we may be required to pay those plans a withdrawal liability amount based on the underfunded status of the plan. We also contribute to defined contribution plans pursuant to collective-bargaining agreements, which are generally not subject to the funding risks inherent in defined benefit pension plans. The overall level of contributions to our multi-employer plans may significantly vary from year to year based on the demand for union-represented labor to support our operations. We do not have any minimum contribution requirements for future periods pursuant to our collective-bargaining agreements for individually significant multi-employer plans.

Our participation in multi-employer pension plans for 2017 is outlined in the following table. Unless otherwise noted, the most recent Pension Protection Act zone status available in 2017 and 2016 relates to the plan’s year end as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and is based on information received from the plan. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65% funded, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80% funded, and plans in the green zone are at least 80% funded. The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates plans for which a financial improvement plan or a rehabilitation plan is either pending or has been implemented.

		Plan		Pension Protection Act Zone Status		FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented	Viad Contributions						Surcharge Paid	Expiration Date of Collective- Bargaining Agreement(s)
(in thousands)	EIN	No.		2017	2016		2017		2016		2015
Pension Fund:
Western Conference of  Teamsters Pension Plan	91-6145047		1	Green	Green	No	$	7,809	$	6,684	$	5,632	No	3/31/2020
Southern California Local 831—Employer Pension Fund(1)	95-6376874		1	Green	Green	No		3,087		2,805		2,485	No	8/31/2019
Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Pension Fund	36-6130207		1	Green	Yellow	Yes		2,390		2,532		1,887	No	5/31/2019
IBEW Local Union  No 357 Pension Plan A	88-6023284		1	Green	Green	No		1,682		1,402		1,150	No	6/16/2018
Electrical Contractors Assoc. Chicago Local Union 134, IBEW Joint Pension Trust of Chicago Plan #2	51-6030753		2	Green	Green	No		1,099		845		1,190	No	6/6/2021
Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan	36-6044243		1	Red	Red	Yes		1,060		1,151		948	No	12/31/2018
Southern California IBEW-NECA Pension Fund	95-6392774		1	Yellow	Yellow	Yes		905		701		835	Yes	continuous
Southwest Carpenters Pension Trust	95-6042875		1	Green	Green	No		883		791		750	No	6/30/2018
New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension	04-6372430		1	Red	Red	Yes		772		552		381	No	3/31/2022
Machinery Movers Riggers & Mach Erect Local 136 Supplemental Retirement Plan(1)	36-1416355		11	Red	Red	Yes		719		1,203		502	Yes	6/30/2019
Sign Pictorial & Display Industry Pension Plan(1)	94-6278490		1	Green	Green	No		654		526		541	No	3/31/2018
All other funds(2)								2,900		3,585		4,259
Total contributions to defined benefit plans								23,960		22,777		20,560
Total contributions to other plans								2,613		2,995		1,428
Total contributions to multi-employer plans							$	26,573	$	25,772	$	21,988

⁽¹⁾ We contributed more than 5% of total plan contributions for the 2016 and 2015 plan years based on the plans’ Form 5500s.

⁽²⁾ Represents participation in 35 pension funds during 2017.

Other Employee Benefits

We match U.S. employee contributions to the 401(k) plan with shares of our common stock held in treasury up to 100% of the first 3% of a participant’s salary plus 50% of the next 2%. The expense associated with our match was $4.2 million for 2017, $3.9 million for 2016, and $3.7 million for 2015.

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Restructuring Charges

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring Charges

Note 18. Restructuring Charges

GES Consolidation

We have taken certain restructuring actions designed to reduce our cost structure primarily within GES, as well as the elimination of certain positions at the corporate office. We implemented a strategic reorganization plan in order to consolidate the separate business units within GES U.S. We also consolidated facilities and streamlined our operations in the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Germany. As a result, we recorded restructuring charges in 2017, 2016, and 2015, primarily consisting of severance and related benefits as a result of workforce reductions and charges related to the consolidation and downsizing of facilities representing the remaining operating lease obligations (net of estimated sublease income) and related costs.

Other Restructurings

We recorded restructuring charges in connection with the consolidation of certain support functions at our corporate headquarters and certain reorganization activities within Pursuit. These charges primarily consist of severance and related benefits due to headcount reductions and charges related to the downsizing of facilities.

Changes to the restructuring liability by major restructuring activity are as follows:

	GES Consolidation						Other Restructurings
(in thousands)	Severance & Employee Benefits			Facilities			Severance & Employee Benefits			Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	543		$	1,161		$	240		$	1,944
Restructuring charges		1,767			587			602			2,956
Cash payments		(1,514	)		(457	)		(601	)		(2,572	)
Adjustment to liability		(45	)		—			(7	)		(52	)
Balance at December 31, 2015		751			1,291			234			2,276
Restructuring charges		3,693			759			731			5,183
Cash payments		(2,170	)		(1,150	)		(546	)		(3,866	)
Adjustment to liability		—			192			(3	)		189
Balance at December 31, 2016		2,274			1,092			416			3,782
Restructuring charges		442			265			297			1,004
Cash payments		(1,165	)		(550	)		(538	)		(2,253	)
Adjustment to liability		—			—			16			16
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	1,551		$	807		$	191		$	2,549

As of December 31, 2017, the liabilities related to severance and employee benefits are expected to be paid by the end of 2018. Additionally, the liability related to future lease payments will be paid over the remaining lease terms for GES. Refer to Note 22 – Segment Information, for information regarding restructuring charges by segment.

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Leases and Other

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Leases [Abstract]

Leases and Other

Note 19. Leases and Other

We entered into operating leases for the use of certain of our offices, equipment, and other facilities. These leases expire over periods up to 40 years. Leases which expire are generally renewed or replaced by similar leases. Some leases contain scheduled rental increases accounted for on a straight-line basis.

As of December 31, 2017, our future minimum rental payments and related sublease rentals receivable with respect to non-cancelable operating leases with terms in excess of one year were as follows:

(in thousands)	Rental Payments		Receivable Under Subleases
2018	$	23,503	$	2,627
2019		20,299		2,384
2020		17,265		2,209
2021		8,812		2,267
2022		5,555		2,195
Thereafter		81,135		3,657
Total	$	156,569	$	15,339

Net rent expense under operating leases consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Minimum rentals	$	56,575		$	48,465		$	41,564
Sublease rentals		(1,525	)		(2,831	)		(3,457	)
Total rentals, net	$	55,050		$	45,634		$	38,107

The aggregate annual maturities and the related amounts representing interest on capital lease obligations are included in Note 11 – Debt and Capital Lease Obligations.

As of December 31, 2017, we had aggregate purchase obligations of $38.1 million related to various licensing agreements, consulting and other contracted services.

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Litigation, Claims, Contingencies and Other

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Litigation, Claims, Contingencies and Other

Note 20. Litigation, Claims, Contingencies, and Other

We are plaintiffs or defendants to various actions, proceedings, and pending claims, some of which involve, or may involve, compensatory, punitive, or other damages. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties and it is possible that some of the legal actions, proceedings, or claims could be decided against us. Although the amount of liability as of December 31, 2017 with respect to these matters is not ascertainable, we believe that any resulting liability, after taking into consideration amounts already provided for and insurance coverage, will not have a material effect on our business, financial position, or results of operations.

We are subject to various U.S. federal, state, and foreign laws and regulations governing the prevention of pollution and the protection of the environment in the jurisdictions in which we have or had operations. If we fail to comply with these environmental laws and regulations, civil and criminal penalties could be imposed and we could become subject to regulatory enforcement actions in the form of injunctions and cease and desist orders. As is the case with many companies, we also face exposure to actual or potential claims and lawsuits involving environmental matters relating to our past operations. As of December 31, 2017, we had recorded environmental remediation liabilities of $2.4 million related to previously sold operations. Although we are a party to certain environmental disputes, we believe that any resulting liabilities, after taking into consideration amounts already provided for and insurance coverage, will not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

As of December 31, 2017, on behalf of our subsidiaries, we had certain obligations under guarantees to third parties. These guarantees are not subject to liability recognition in the consolidated financial statements and relate to leased facilities entered into by our subsidiary operations. We would generally be required to make payments to the respective third parties under these guarantees in the event that the related subsidiary could not meet its own payment obligations. The maximum potential amount of future payments that we would be required to make under all guarantees existing as of December 31, 2017 would be $19.3 million. These guarantees relate to our leased facilities through October 2027. There are no recourse provisions that would enable us to recover from third parties any payments made under the guarantees. Furthermore, there are no collateral or similar arrangements whereby we could recover payments.

A significant number of our employees are unionized and we are a party to approximately 100 collective-bargaining agreements, with approximately one-third requiring renegotiation each year. If we are unable to reach an agreement with a union during the collective-bargaining process, the union may call for a strike or work stoppage, which may, under certain circumstances, adversely impact our business and results of operations. We believe that relations with our employees are satisfactory and that collective-bargaining agreements expiring in 2018 will be renegotiated in the ordinary course of business without having a material adverse effect on our operations. We entered into showsite and warehouse agreements with the Chicago Teamsters Local 727, effective January 1, 2014, and those agreements contain provisions that allow the parties to re-open negotiation of the agreements on pension-related issues. We are in informal discussions regarding those issues with all relevant parties to resolve those issues in a manner that will be reasonable and equitable to employees, customers, and shareholders. Although our labor relations are currently stable, disruptions pending the outcome of the Chicago Teamsters Local 727 negotiations could occur, as they could with any collective-bargaining agreement negotiation, with the possibility of an adverse impact on the operating results of GES.

Our business contributes to various multi-employer pension plans based on obligations arising under collective-bargaining agreements covering our union-represented employees. Based upon the information available from plan administrators, we believe that several of these multi-employer plans are underfunded. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 requires pension plans underfunded at certain levels to reduce, over defined time periods, the underfunded status. In addition, under current laws, the termination of a plan, or a voluntary withdrawal from a plan by us, or a shrinking contribution base to a plan as a result of the insolvency or withdrawal of other contributing employers to such plan, would require us to make payments to such plan for our proportionate share of the plan’s unfunded vested liabilities. As of December 31, 2017, the amount of additional funding, if any, that we would be required to make related to multi-employer pension plans is not ascertainable.

We are self-insured up to certain limits for workers’ compensation, employee health benefits, automobile, product and general liability, and property loss claims. The aggregate amount of insurance liabilities (up to our retention limit) related to our continuing operations was $19.1 million as of December 31, 2017 which includes $13.8 million related to workers’ compensation liabilities, and $5.3 million related to general/auto liability claims. We have also retained and provided for certain insurance liabilities in conjunction with previously sold businesses of $2.9 million as of December 31, 2017, related to workers’ compensation liabilities. Provisions for losses for claims incurred, including estimated claims incurred but not yet reported, are made based on our historical experience, claims frequency, and other factors. A change in the assumptions used could result in an adjustment to recorded liabilities. We have purchased insurance for amounts in excess of the self-insured levels, which generally range from $0.2 million to $0.5 million on a per claim basis. We do not maintain a self-insured retention pool fund as claims are paid from current cash resources at the time of settlement. Our net cash payments in connection with these insurance liabilities were $5.5 million for 2017, $5.0 million for 2016, and $5.6 million for 2015.

In addition, as of December 31, 2017, we have recorded insurance liabilities of $10.4 million related to continuing operations, which represents the amount for which we remain the primary obligor after self-insured insurance limits, without taking into consideration the above-referenced insurance coverage. Of this total, $6.9 million related to workers’ compensation liabilities and $3.5 million related to general/auto liability claims which are recorded in other deferred items and liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets with a corresponding receivable in other investments.

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Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

Note 21. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

On November 3, 2017, we acquired the controlling interest (54.5% of the common stock) in Esja, a private corporation in Reykjavik, Iceland, which is developing and will operate a new FlyOver Iceland attraction.

The Esja acquisition contains a put option that gives the minority Esja shareholders the right to sell (or “put”) their Esja shares to us based on a multiple of 5.0x EBITDA as calculated on the trailing 12 months from the most recently completed quarter before the put option exercise. The put option is only exercisable after 36 months of business operation (the “Reference Date”) and if the FlyOver Iceland attraction has earned a minimum of €3.25 million in unadjusted EBITDA during the most recent fiscal year and during the trailing 12-month period prior to exercise (the “Put Option Condition”). The put option is exercisable during a period of 12 months following the Reference Date (the “Option Period”) and if the Put Option Condition has been met. If the Put Option Condition has not been met during the first Option Period, the Reference Date will be extended for an additional 12 months up to three times.  If after 72 months, the FlyOver Iceland attraction has not achieved the Put Option Condition, the put option expires. If the Put Option Condition is met during any of the Option Periods, yet the shares are not exercised prior to the end of the 12-month Option Period, the put option will expire.  

The noncontrolling interests’ carrying value is determined by the fair market value at acquisition and the subsequent noncontrolling interests’ share of net income or loss. This value is benchmarked against the redemption value of the sellers’ put option. The carrying value is adjusted to the latter, provided that it does not fall below the initial carrying values, as determined by the purchase price allocation. We have made a policy election to reflect any changes caused by such an adjustment in retained earnings, rather than in current earnings.

Changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests are as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	—
Redeemable noncontrolling interest related to 2017 acquisition		6,735
Adjustment to the redemption value		(30	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(57	)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	6,648

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Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Note 22. Segment Information

We measure the profit and performance of our operations on the basis of segment operating income which excludes restructuring charges and impairment charges and recoveries. Intersegment sales are eliminated in consolidation and intersegment transfers are not significant. Corporate activities include expenses not allocated to operations. Depreciation and amortization and share-based compensation expense are the only significant non-cash items for the reportable segments.

Our reportable segments, with reconciliations to consolidated totals, are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Revenue:
GES:
U.S.	$	872,154		$	826,408		$	720,882
International		282,712			248,503			272,634
Intersegment eliminations		(21,769	)		(20,172	)		(16,638	)
Total GES		1,133,097			1,054,739			976,878
Pursuit		173,868			153,364			112,170
Corporate eliminations (1)		—			(3,133	)		—
Total revenue	$	1,306,965		$	1,204,970		$	1,089,048
Segment operating income:
GES:
U.S.	$	34,494		$	40,524		$	14,563
International		15,475			9,699			12,211
Total GES		49,969			50,223			26,774
Pursuit		47,082			35,705			27,810
Segment operating income		97,051			85,928			54,584
Corporate eliminations (1)		67			(743	)		—
Corporate activities		(12,877	)		(10,322	)		(9,720	)
Operating income		84,241			74,863			44,864
Interest income		319			1,165			658
Interest expense		(8,304	)		(5,898	)		(4,535	)
Restructuring recoveries (charges):
GES U.S.		354			(2,893	)		(541	)
GES International		(1,061	)		(1,559	)		(1,813	)
Pursuit		(86	)		(171	)		(200	)
Corporate		(211	)		(560	)		(402	)
Impairment recoveries (charges):
Pursuit		29,098			(218	)		(96	)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	104,350		$	64,729		$	37,935

⁽¹⁾ Corporate eliminations during 2017 represent the elimination of depreciation expense recorded by Pursuit associated with previously eliminated intercompany profit realized by GES for renovations to Pursuit’s Banff Gondola. Corporate eliminations recorded during 2016 represent the elimination of intercompany revenue and profit realized by GES for work completed on renovations to Pursuit’s Banff Gondola.

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016			2015
Assets:
GES:
U.S.	$	380,909	$	380,951		$	294,618
International		135,917		109,705			115,494
Pursuit		350,256		301,941			195,527
Corporate and other		52,817		77,219			85,084
	$	919,899	$	869,816		$	690,723
Depreciation and amortization:
GES:
U.S.	$	29,088	$	21,473		$	18,658
International		8,176		8,092			8,435
Pursuit		17,653		12,967			7,974
Corporate and other		197		211			164
	$	55,114	$	42,743		$	35,231
Capital expenditures:
GES:
U.S.	$	17,337	$	14,291		$	8,066
International		8,084		5,033			8,366
Pursuit		30,786		31,861			13,107
Corporate and other(1)		414		(1,370	)		300
	$	56,621	$	49,815		$	29,839

⁽¹⁾ The 2016 amount includes an intercompany elimination for work completed by GES on renovations to Pursuit’s Banff Gondola.

Geographic Areas

Our foreign operations are located principally in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands. GES revenue is designated as domestic or foreign based on the originating location of the product or service. Long-lived assets are attributed to domestic or foreign based principally on the physical location of the assets. Long-lived assets consist of “Property and equipment, net” and “Other investments and assets.” The table below presents the financial information by major geographic area:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Revenue:
United States	$	913,210	$	855,304	$	726,436
EMEA		209,824		205,028		220,046
Canada		183,931		144,638		142,566
Total revenue	$	1,306,965	$	1,204,970	$	1,089,048
Long-lived assets:
United States	$	180,345	$	182,611	$	139,479
EMEA		43,630		37,083		15,714
Canada		129,108		104,461		71,677
Total long-lived assets	$	353,083	$	324,155	$	226,870

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Common Stock Repurchases

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

Common Stock Repurchases

Note 23. Common Stock Repurchases

We previously announced our Board of Directors’ authorization to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices. No open market repurchases were made during 2017 or 2016. During 2015, we repurchased 141,462 shares on the open market for $3.8 million. As of December 31, 2017, 440,540 shares remain available for repurchase. We repurchased 41,532 shares for $2.1 million in 2017, 25,432 shares for $0.7 million in 2016, and 35,649 shares for $1.0 million in 2015 related to tax withholding requirements on vested share-based awards.

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Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Condensed Consolidated Quarterly Results (Unaudited)

Note 24. Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

The following table sets forth selected unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information:

	2017												2016
(in thousands, except per share data)	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter			First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter
Revenue:	$	325,807		$	364,774		$	339,099		$	277,285		$	241,362		$	324,747		$	382,465		$	256,396
Operating income (loss):
Ongoing operations (1)	$	12,684		$	39,402		$	47,066		$	(4,726	)	$	(6,280	)	$	34,014		$	58,917		$	(1,466	)
Corporate activities		(2,610	)		(3,008	)		(4,474	)		(2,785	)		(1,911	)		(2,707	)		(2,772	)		(2,932	)
Restructuring charges		(394	)		(168	)		(255	)		(187	)		(992	)		(975	)		(1,697	)		(1,519	)
Impairment recoveries (charges)		2,384			2,247			24,467			—			—			—			(120	)		(98	)
Operating income (loss)	$	12,064		$	38,473		$	66,804		$	(7,698	)	$	(9,183	)	$	30,332		$	54,328		$	(6,015	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Viad	$	7,593		$	27,438		$	44,758		$	(21,814	)	$	(6,797	)	$	19,873		$	34,013		$	(4,136	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad	$	6,777		$	27,947		$	44,657		$	(21,674	)	$	(6,983	)	$	19,509		$	33,792		$	(4,049	)
Basic and Diluted income (loss) per common share: (2)
Continuing operations attributable to Viad	$	0.37		$	1.35		$	2.19		$	(1.08	)	$	(0.34	)	$	0.98		$	1.68		$	(0.21	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	0.33		$	1.37		$	2.19		$	(1.07	)	$	(0.35	)	$	0.96		$	1.67		$	(0.20	)

⁽¹⁾ Represents revenue less costs of services and cost of products sold.

⁽²⁾ The sum of quarterly income per share amounts may not equal annual income per share due to rounding.

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Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

VIAD CORP

SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

			Additions				Deductions
(in thousands)	Balance at Beginning of Year		Charged to Expense		Charged to Other Accounts		Write-Offs			Other(1)			Balance at End of Year
Allowances for doubtful accounts:
December 31, 2015		1,258		955		574		(1,162	)		(32	)		1,593
December 31, 2016		1,593		1,355		41		(1,602	)		(45	)		1,342
December 31, 2017		1,342		2,470	49			(1,529	)		(309	)		2,023
Deferred tax valuation allowance:
December 31, 2015		3,295		—		402		(860	)		—			2,837
December 31, 2016		2,837		1,406		—		(176	)		(69	)		3,998
December 31, 2017		3,998		1,385		—		(1,595	)		222			4,010

⁽¹⁾ “Other” primarily includes foreign exchange translation adjustments.

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Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Viad have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of Viad and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Nature of Business

Nature of Business

We are an international experiential services company with operations principally in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, continental Europe, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong. We are committed to providing unforgettable experiences to our clients and guests. We operate through three reportable business segments: GES U.S., GES International, (collectively, “GES”), and Pursuit.

GES

GES is a global, full-service provider for live events that produces exhibitions, conferences, corporate events, and consumer events. GES offers a comprehensive range of live event services and a full suite of audio-visual services from creative and technology to content and design, along with online tools powered by next generation technologies that help clients easily manage the complexities of their events.

GES’ clients include event organizers and corporate brand marketers. Event organizers schedule and run the event from start to finish. Corporate brand marketers include exhibitors and domestic and international corporations that want to promote their brands, services and innovations, feature new products, and build business relationships. GES serves corporate brand marketers when they exhibit at shows and when GES is engaged to manage their global exhibit program or produce their proprietary corporate events.

Pursuit

Pursuit is a collection of iconic natural and cultural destination travel experiences that enjoy perennial demand. Pursuit is comprised of four lines of business: Hospitality, Attractions, Transportation, and Travel Planning. These four lines of business work together, driving economies of scope and meaningful scale in and around the iconic destinations of Banff, Jasper, and Waterton Lakes National Parks and Vancouver in Canada, and Glacier, Denali, and Kenai Fjords National Parks in the United States. Pursuit is comprised of Brewster Travel Canada, which is marketed as the Banff Jasper Collection; the Alaska Collection; Glacier Park, Inc., which is marketed as the Glacier Park Collection, and FlyOver.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported period. Estimates and assumptions are used in accounting for, among other things, the fair value of our reporting units used to perform annual impairment testing of recorded goodwill; allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable; provisions for income taxes, including uncertain tax positions; valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets; liabilities for losses related to self-insured liability claims; liabilities for losses related to environmental remediation obligations; sublease income associated with restructuring liabilities; assumptions used to measure pension and postretirement benefit costs and obligations; assumptions used to determine share-based compensation costs under the fair value method; assumptions in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests; and allocation of purchase price of acquired businesses. Actual results could differ from these and other estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are highly-liquid investments with remaining maturities when purchased of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and bank demand deposits and money market mutual funds. Investments in money market mutual funds are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

Allowances for doubtful accounts reflect the best estimate of probable losses inherent in the accounts receivable balance. The allowances for doubtful accounts, including a sales allowance for discounts at the time of sale, are based upon an evaluation of the aging of receivables, historical trends, and the current economic environment.

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories, which consist primarily of exhibit design and construction materials and supplies, as well as deferred show costs, including labor, show purchases, and commissions used in providing convention show services, are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out and specific identification methods) or net realizable value.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Property and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets: buildings, 15 to 40 years; equipment, 3 to 12 years; and leasehold improvements, over the shorter of the lease term or useful life. Property and equipment are tested for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the long-lived asset may not be recoverable through undiscounted cash flows.

Capitalized Software

Capitalized Software

Certain internal and external costs incurred in developing or obtaining internal use software are capitalized. Capitalized costs principally relate to costs incurred to purchase software from third parties, external direct costs of materials and services, and certain payroll-related costs for employees directly associated with software projects once application development begins. Costs associated with preliminary project activities, training, and other post-implementation activities are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the software, ranging from three to ten years. These costs are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the caption “Property and equipment, net.”

Goodwill

Goodwill

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis as of October 31, and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. We use a discounted expected future cash flow methodology (income approach) in order to estimate the fair value of our reporting units for purposes of goodwill impairment testing. The estimates and assumptions regarding expected future cash flows, discount rates, and terminal values require considerable judgment and are based on market conditions, financial forecasts, industry trends, and historical experience. These estimates, however, have inherent uncertainties and different assumptions could lead to materially different results.

Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance

Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance

We have Company-owned life insurance contracts which are intended to fund the cost of certain employee compensation and benefit programs. These contracts are carried at cash surrender value, net of outstanding policy loans. The cash surrender value represents the amount of cash we could receive if the policies were discontinued before maturity. The changes in the cash surrender value of the policies, net of insurance premiums, are included as a component of “Costs of Services” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Self-Insurance Liabilities

Self-Insurance Liabilities

We are self-insured up to certain limits for workers’ compensation, automobile, product and general liability, property loss, and medical claims. We retained certain liabilities related to workers’ compensation and general liability insurance claims in conjunction with previously sold operations. Provisions for losses for claims incurred, including estimated claims incurred but not yet reported, are made based on historical experience, claims frequency, insurance coverage, and other factors. We purchased insurance for amounts in excess of the self-insured levels.

Environmental Remediation Liabilities

Environmental Remediation Liabilities

Environmental remediation liabilities represent the estimated cost of environmental remediation obligations primarily associated with previously sold operations. The amounts accrued primarily consist of the estimated direct incremental costs, on an undiscounted basis, for contractor and other services related to remedial actions and post-remediation site monitoring. Environmental remediation liabilities are recorded when the specific obligation is considered probable and the costs are reasonably estimable. Subsequent recoveries from third parties, if any, are recorded through discontinued operations when realized. Environmental insurance is maintained that provides coverage for new and undiscovered pre-existing conditions at both our continuing and discontinued operations.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. Refer to Note 11 – Debt and Capital Lease Obligations for the estimated fair value of debt obligations.

Non-redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

Non-redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

Non-redeemable noncontrolling interest represents the portion of equity in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to us. Our non-redeemable noncontrolling interest relates to the equity ownership that we do not own in Glacier Park, Inc. of 20%. We report non-redeemable noncontrolling interest within stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of consolidated net income attributable to Viad and the non-redeemable noncontrolling interest is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  

Noncontrolling interests with redemption features that are not solely within our control are considered redeemable noncontrolling interests. The Esja purchase agreement contains a put option that gives the minority Esja shareholders the right to sell (or “put”) their Esja shares to us based on a calculated formula within a predefined term. This redeemable noncontrolling interest is considered temporary equity and we report it between liabilities and stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of the net income or loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests is recorded to retained earnings and is included in our earnings per share. Refer to Note 21 – Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest for additional information.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

Our foreign operations are primarily in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and to a lesser extent, in certain other countries. The functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries is their local currency. Accordingly, for purposes of consolidation, we translate the assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars at the foreign exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. The unrealized gains or losses resulting from the translation of these foreign denominated assets and liabilities are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For purposes of consolidation, revenue, expenses, gains, and losses related to our foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average foreign exchange rates for the period.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. GES derives revenue primarily by providing core services, event technology services, and audio-visual services to event organizers and exhibitors participating in live events. GES derives revenue from consumer events by charging visitors to view the touring exhibitions. Exhibition and event service’s revenue is recognized when services are completed, net of commissions. Exhibits and environments revenue is accounted for using the completed-contract method. Pursuit generates revenue through its hospitality, attractions, transportation, and travel planning services. Pursuit’s revenue is recognized at the time services are performed.

Insurance Recoveries

Insurance Recoveries

Receipts from insurance up to the amount of the recognized losses are considered recoveries and are accounted for when they are probable of receipt. Anticipated proceeds in excess of the recognized loss are considered a gain contingency. A contingency gain for anticipated insurance proceeds in excess of losses already recognized is not recognized until all contingencies relating to the insurance claim have been resolved.

Insurance proceeds allocated to business interruption gains are reported as cash flows from operating activities, and proceeds allocated to impairment recoveries are reported as cash flows from investing activities. Insurance proceeds used for capitalizable costs are classified as cash flows from investing activities, and proceeds used for non-capitalizable costs are classified as operating activities.

On December 29, 2016, the Mount Royal Hotel was damaged by a fire and closed. During the fourth quarter of 2016, we recorded an asset impairment loss of $2.2 million and an offsetting impairment recovery (and related insurance receivable) as the losses related to the fire were covered by our property and business interruption insurance. During July 2017, we resolved our property and business interruption insurance claims for a total of $36.3 million. We allocated $2.2 million to an insurance receivable, $29.3 million was recorded as an impairment recovery (partially offset by impairment charges of $0.2 million) related to construction costs to re-open the hotel, $2.5 million was recorded as a business interruption gain for the recovery of lost profits, $1.3 million was recorded as contra-expense to offset non-capitalizable costs incurred, and the remaining $1.0 million was recorded as deferred revenue, which will be recognized over the periods when the business interruption losses are actually incurred.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

Share-based compensation costs, related to all share-based payment awards, are recognized and measured using the fair value method of accounting. These awards generally include restricted stock, liability-based awards (including performance units and restricted stock units), and stock options, and contain forfeiture and non-compete provisions.

The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on our closing stock price on the date of grant. We issue restricted stock awards from shares held in treasury. Future vesting of restricted stock is generally subject to continued employment. Holders of restricted stock have the right to receive dividends and vote the shares, but may not sell, assign, transfer, pledge, or otherwise encumber the stock, except to the extent restrictions have lapsed and in accordance with our stock trading policy.

Restricted stock awards vest between three and five years from the date of grant. Share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock is recognized using the straight-line method over the requisite service period of approximately three years. For awards with a five-year vesting period, expense is recognized based on an accelerated multiple-award approach over a five-year period. For these awards, 40% of the shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant and the remaining shares vest in 30% increments over the subsequent two anniversary dates.

Liability-based awards (including performance units and restricted stock units) are recorded at estimated fair value, based on the number of units expected to vest and where applicable, the level of achievement of predefined performance goals. These awards are remeasured on each balance sheet date based on our stock price, and the Monte Carlo simulation model, until the time of settlement. A Monte Carlo simulation requires the use of a number of assumptions, including historical volatility and correlation of our stock price and the price of the common shares of a comparator group, a risk-free rate of return, and an expected term. To the extent earned, liability-based awards are settled in cash based on our stock price. Compensation expense related to liability-based awards is recognized ratably over the requisite service period of approximately three years.

Equity-based awards (including performance units) are recorded at estimated fair value, based on the number of units expected to vest and the level of achievement of predefined performance goals, until the time of settlement. To the extent earned, equity-based awards are settled in our common stock. Compensation expense related to equity-based awards is recognized ratably over the requisite service period of approximately three years.

The fair value of stock option grants is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Share-based compensation expense related to stock option awards is recognized using the straight-line method over the requisite service period of approximately five years. The exercise price of stock options is based on the market value of our common stock at the date of grant. We have not granted stock options since 2010.

Common Stock in Treasury

Common Stock in Treasury

Common stock purchased for treasury is recorded at historical cost. Subsequent share reissuances are primarily related to share-based compensation programs and recorded at weighted-average cost.

Income Per Common Share

Income Per Common Share

We apply the two-class method in calculating income per common share as unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered participating securities. Accordingly, such securities are included in the earnings allocation in calculating income per share. The adjustment to the carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest is reflected in income per common share.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements:

Standard	Description	Date of adoption	Effect on the financial statements
Standards Not Yet Adopted
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)	The standard establishes a new recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. We may adopt either retrospectively to each prior period presented with the option to elect certain practical expedients or with the cumulative effect recognized at the date of initial application and providing certain disclosures. Subsequent to the issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB issued several amendments in 2016 which do not change the core principle of the guidance stated in ASU 2014-09. Rather, they are intended to clarify and improve understanding of certain topics included within the revenue standard.	January 1, 2018	We assigned internal resources and engaged a third-party service provider to assist in evaluating the impact on our accounting policies, processes, and system requirements. Based on our assessment, the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The impact primarily relates to the deferral of certain commissions which were previously expensed as incurred but will generally be capitalized and amortized over the period of contract performance, and the deferral of certain costs incurred in connection with trade shows which were previously expensed as incurred but will generally be capitalized and expensed upon the completion of the show. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2018 and will be using the modified retrospective transition method. Additionally, the new guidance requires enhanced disclosures, including revenue recognition policies to identify performance obligations to customers and significant judgments in measurement and recognition.
ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)	The amendment requires lessees to recognize on their balance sheet a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for leases with lease terms greater than one year. The amendment requires additional disclosures about leasing arrangements, and requires a modified retrospective approach to adoption. Early adoption is permitted.	January 1, 2019	We are currently evaluating the potential impact the adoption of this new guidance will have on our financial position or results of operations including analyzing our existing operating leases. Based on our current assessment, the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, however the income statement is not expected to be materially impacted. We expect the most significant impact will relate to facility and equipment leases, which are currently recorded as operating leases. We are continuing our assessment, which may identify other impacts. We will adopt the standard on January 1, 2019.
ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment	The amendment eliminates the requirement to estimate the implied fair value of goodwill if it was determined that the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeded its fair value. Goodwill impairment will now be recognized by the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The amendment should be applied prospectively and is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017.	January 1, 2020	The adoption of this new guidance is not expected to have a significant effect on our consolidated financial statements and we expect the adoption to reduce the complexity surrounding the analysis of goodwill impairment.

Standard	Description	Date of adoption	Effect on the financial statements
Standards Recently Adopted
ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting	The amendment identifies areas for simplification involving several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, an option to recognize gross stock compensation expense with actual forfeitures recognized as they occur, as well as certain classifications on the statement of cash flows.	January 1, 2017	The adoption of this new guidance resulted in a decrease in tax expense of $1.1 million, or a 1.1% decrease in our effective tax rate, as compared to 2016.

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Share-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Summary of Share-Based Compensation Expense

The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Performance unit incentive plan (“PUP”)	$	8,088		$	5,703		$	1,692
Restricted stock		2,594			2,073			2,111
Restricted stock units		287			262			45
Share-based compensation before income tax benefit		10,969			8,038			3,848
Income tax benefit		(4,079	)		(2,988	)		(1,454	)
Share-based compensation, net of income tax benefit	$	6,890		$	5,050		$	2,394

Summary of Activity of the Outstanding Share-Based Compensation Awards

The following table summarizes the activity of the outstanding share-based compensation awards:

	PUP Awards					Restricted Stock					Restricted Stock Units
	Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance at December 31, 2016		255,505		$	26.11		267,051		$	25.96		15,982		$	25.58
Granted		73,557		$	47.44		67,029		$	46.99		2,950		$	47.45
Vested		(76,082	)	$	24.07		(112,548	)	$	24.04		(6,182	)	$	24.97
Forfeited		(13,642	)	$	34.99		(14,633	)	$	35.31		—		$	—
Balance at December 31, 2017		239,338		$	32.80		206,899		$	33.16		12,750		$	30.94

Summary of Additional Stock Option Information

The following table provides additional stock option information:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Total intrinsic value of stock options outstanding(1)	$	2,473	$	1,753	$	740
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	—	$	—	$	1,474
Cash received from the exercise of stock options	$	—	$	—	$	898
Tax benefits realized for tax deductions related to stock option exercises	$	—	$	—	$	104

⁽¹⁾ The intrinsic value of stock options outstanding represents the difference between our closing stock price on December 31 of each year and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money stock options.

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Acquisition of Businesses (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The following table summarizes the final allocation of the aggregate purchase price paid and amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon the estimated fair value at the date of acquisitions. The balances in the table below remain unchanged from the balances reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

	Maligne Lake Tours		CATC			ON Services		FlyOver Canada
(in thousands)
Purchase price paid as:
Cash	$	14,962	$	45,000		$	87,000	$	50,920
Working capital adjustment		—		(35	)		344		—
Contingent consideration		—		—			540		—
Cash acquired		—		(2,196	)		—		(6	)
Total purchase price, net of cash acquired		14,962		42,769			87,884		50,914
Fair value of net assets acquired:
Accounts receivable		—		8			4,643		—
Inventories		246		921			256		11
Prepaid expenses		2		82			872		37
Property and equipment		4,133		43,470			14,827		10,867
Intangible assets		9,244		980			33,990		6,028
Total assets acquired		13,625		45,461			54,588		16,943
Accounts payable		—		306			992		—
Accrued liabilities		—		434			564		118
Customer deposits		15		1,952			851		—
Other liabilities		240		—			274		—
Total liabilities acquired		255		2,692			2,681		118
Total fair value of net assets acquired		13,370		42,769			51,907		16,825
Excess purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired (“goodwill”)	$	1,592	$	—		$	35,977	$	34,089

Schedule of Purchase Price Allocated to Intangible Assets Acquired

Following are the details of the purchase price allocated to the intangible assets acquired for the 2016 Acquisitions:

(in thousands, except weighted average life)	Maligne Lake Tours		CATC		ON Services		FlyOver Canada
Customer relationships	$	788	$	780	$	27,620	$	1,592
Operating licenses		8,313		—		—		—
Trade name		143		200		3,190		3,710
Non-compete agreements		—		—		3,180		726
Fair value of intangible assets acquired	$	9,244	$	980	$	33,990	$	6,028
Weighted average life	26.7 years(1)		5.8 years		10.5 years		9.4 years

⁽¹⁾ Largely attributable to operating licenses amortized over the remaining Parks Canada lease of 29 years.

Unaudited Pro Forma Results of Operations

The following table summarizes our unaudited pro forma results of operations assuming the 2016 Acquisitions had each been completed on January 1, 2015:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2016		2015
Revenue	$	1,250,290	$	1,183,656
Depreciation and amortization	$	52,074	$	52,631
Income from continuing operations	$	43,727	$	27,881
Net income attributable to Viad	$	42,517	$	27,045
Diluted income per share	$	2.10	$	1.35
Basic income per share	$	2.10	$	1.35

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Inventories (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of Inventories

The components of inventories consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Raw materials	$	17,550	$	16,846
Work in process		12,822		14,574
Inventories	$	30,372	$	31,420

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Other Current Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Other Current Assets

Other current assets consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Prepaid vendor payments	$	5,048	$	3,633
Income tax receivable		4,237		3,614
Prepaid software maintenance		3,386		2,804
Prepaid insurance		2,610		2,479
Prepaid taxes		912		850
Prepaid rent		730		327
Prepaid other		2,172		731
Other		1,935		4,011
Other current assets	$	21,030	$	18,449

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Property and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule of Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016
Land and land interests(1)	$	32,544		$	31,670
Buildings and leasehold improvements		222,118			185,987
Equipment and other(2)		351,676			326,868
Gross property and equipment		606,338			544,525
Accumulated depreciation		(300,767	)		(264,667	)
Property and equipment, net	$	305,571		$	279,858

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Other Investments and Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]

Summary of Other Investments and Assets

Other investments and assets consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Cash surrender value of life insurance	$	23,947	$	23,197
Self-insured liability receivable		10,442		10,463
Workers’ compensation insurance security deposits		3,550		4,050
Other mutual funds		2,637		2,062
Other		6,936		4,525
Other investments and assets	$	47,512	$	44,297

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of the Goodwill Balances by Component and Segment

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:

(in thousands)	GES U.S.		GES International			Pursuit		Total
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	112,300	$	38,635		$	34,288	$	185,223
Business acquisitions		35,977		—			35,681		71,658
Foreign currency translation adjustments		—		(4,175	)		1,316		(2,859	)
Balance at December 31, 2016		148,277		34,460			71,285		254,022
Business acquisitions		—		1,060			7,094		8,154
Foreign currency translation adjustments		—		3,320			5,055		8,375
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	148,277	$	38,840		$	83,434	$	270,551

Goodwill by reporting unit and segment

The following table summarizes goodwill by reporting unit and segment:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
GES:
U.S.	$	148,277	$	148,277
International:
GES EMEA		31,612		27,694
GES Canada		7,228		6,766
Total GES		187,117		182,737
Pursuit:
Banff Jasper Collection		35,305		32,587
Alaska Collection		3,184		3,184
Glacier Park Collection		1,268		1,268
FlyOver		43,677		34,246
Total Pursuit		83,434		71,285
Total Goodwill	$	270,551	$	254,022

Summary of Other Intangible Assets

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:

	December 31, 2017							December 31, 2016
(in thousands)	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value
Amortized intangible assets:
Customer contracts and relationships	$	68,798	$	(23,696	)	$	45,102	$	67,762	$	(14,345	)	$	53,417
Operating contracts and licenses		9,951		(1,094	)		8,857		9,315		(652	)		8,663
Tradenames		8,633		(2,873	)		5,760		8,324		(1,440	)		6,884
Non-compete agreements		5,363		(3,007	)		2,356		5,190		(1,369	)		3,821
Other		896		(650	)		246		886		(458	)		428
Total amortized intangible assets		93,641		(31,320	)		62,321		91,477		(18,264	)		73,213
Unamortized intangible assets:
Business licenses		460		—			460		460		—			460
Other intangible assets	$	94,101	$	(31,320	)	$	62,781	$	91,937	$	(18,264	)	$	73,673

Estimated Amortization Expense Related to Amortized Intangible Assets

The estimated future amortization expense related to amortized intangible assets held at December 31, 2017 is as follows:

(in thousands)
Year ending December 31,
2018	$	11,013
2019		9,945
2020		8,444
2021		7,447
2022		5,895
Thereafter		19,577
Total	$	62,321

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Other Current Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Other Liabilities Current [Abstract]

Other Current Liabilities

Other current liabilities consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Continuing operations:
Accrued income tax payable	$	7,518	$	758
Self-insured liability accrual		6,208		5,941
Commissions payable		3,235		639
Accrued employee benefit costs		2,915		2,624
Accrued sales and use taxes		2,431		4,279
Accrued dividends		2,094		2,119
Current portion of pension and postretirement liabilities		2,109		1,963
Deferred rent		1,679		1,535
Accrued rebates		1,106		1,078
Accrued professional fees		1,020		794
Accrued restructuring		722		1,924
Other taxes		2,750		4,210
Other		3,852		1,774
Total continuing operations		37,639		29,638
Discontinued operations:
Environmental remediation liabilities		648		492
Self-insured liability accrual		337		162
Other		96		98
Total discontinued operations		1,081		752
Total other current liabilities	$	38,720	$	30,390

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Other Deferred Items and Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Other Deferred Items and Liabilities

Other deferred items and liabilities consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Continuing operations:
Self-insured liability	$	12,918	$	12,981
Self-insured excess liability		10,442		10,463
Accrued compensation		9,740		8,514
Foreign deferred tax liability		8,267		2,264
Deferred rent		3,855		5,271
Accrued restructuring		1,827		1,858
Other		1,305		1,300
Total continuing operations		48,354		42,651
Discontinued operations:
Self-insured liability		2,557		3,748
Environmental remediation liabilities		1,728		3,091
Accrued income taxes		—		1,045
Other		219		199
Total discontinued operations		4,504		8,083
Total other deferred items and liabilities	$	52,858	$	50,734

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Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

The components of long-term debt and capital lease obligations consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands, except interest rates)	2017			2016
Revolving credit facility and term loan, 3.1% weighted-average interest rate at   December 31, 2017 and 2.6% at December 31, 2016, due through 2019 (1)	$	207,322		$	212,750
Brewster Inc. revolving credit facility, 2.7% weighted-average interest rate at   December 31, 2016 (1)		—			36,456
Less unamortized debt issuance costs		(984	)		(1,464	)
Total debt		206,338			247,742
Capital lease obligations, 3.8% weighted-average interest rate at December 31,   2017 and 4.9% at December 31, 2016, due through 2021		2,854			1,469
Total debt and capital lease obligations		209,192			249,211
Current portion (2)		(152,599	)		(174,968	)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	56,593		$	74,243

⁽¹⁾ Represents the weighted-average interest rate in effect at the respective periods for the revolving credit facilities and term loan borrowings, including any applicable margin. The interest rates do not include amortization of debt issuance costs or commitment fees.

⁽²⁾ Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities are classified as current because all borrowed amounts are due within one year.

Schedule of Aggregate Annual Maturities of Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations as of December 31, 2017 are as follows:

(in thousands)	Revolving Credit Agreement		Capital Lease Obligations
Year ending December 31,
2018	$	151,072	$	1,601
2019		56,250		899
2020		—		454
2021		—		17
2022		—		—
Total	$	207,322	$	2,971
Less: Amount representing interest				(117	)
Present value of minimum lease payments			$	2,854

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Summary of Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis

The fair value information related to these assets is summarized in the following tables:

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2017		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	119	$	119	$	—	$	—
Other mutual funds(2)		2,637		2,637		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	2,756	$	2,756	$	—	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2016		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	118	$	118	$	—	$	—
Other mutual funds(2)		2,062		2,062		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	2,180	$	2,180	$	—	$	—

⁽¹⁾ Money market funds are included in “Cash and cash equivalents” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These investments are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value. There have been no realized gains or losses related to these investments and we have not experienced any redemption restrictions with respect to any of the money market mutual funds.

⁽²⁾ Other mutual funds are included in “Other investments and assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These investments are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains of $1.0 million ($0.6 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2017 and $0.7 million ($0.4 million after tax) as of December 31, 2016 are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” (“AOCI”) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Income Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Income Per Share

The components of basic and diluted income per share are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2017			2016			2015
Net income attributable to Viad (diluted)	$	57,707		$	42,269		$	26,606
Less: Allocation to non-vested shares		(700	)		(571	)		(385	)
Adjustment to carrying value of redeemable noncontrolling interest		—			—			—
Net income allocated to Viad common stockholders (basic)	$	57,007		$	41,698		$	26,221
Basic weighted-average outstanding common shares		20,146			19,990			19,797
Additional dilutive shares related to share-based compensation		259			187			184
Diluted weighted-average outstanding shares		20,405			20,177			19,981
Income per share:
Basic income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	2.83		$	2.09		$	1.32
Diluted income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	2.83		$	2.09		$	1.32

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in AOCI by component are as follows:

(in thousands)	Unrealized Gains on Investments			Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Unrecognized Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Credit, Net			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	346		$	(23,257	)	$	(11,265	)	$	(34,176	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		135			(5,827	)		—			(5,692	)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		(60	)		—			537			477
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		75			(5,827	)		537			(5,215	)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	421		$	(29,084	)	$	(10,728	)	$	(39,391	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		257			17,058			—			17,315
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		(62	)		—			(430	)		(492	)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		195			17,058			(430	)		16,823
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	616		$	(12,026	)	$	(11,158	)	$	(22,568	)

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table presents information about reclassification adjustments out of AOCI:

	Year Ended December 31,						Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
(in thousands)	2017			2016
Unrealized gains on investments	$	(100	)	$	(97	)	Interest income
Tax effect		38			37		Income taxes
	$	(62	)	$	(60	)
Recognized net actuarial loss (gains)(1)	$	507		$	1,440
Amortization of prior service credit(1)		(1,247	)		(575	)
Tax effect		310			(328	)	Income taxes
	$	(430	)	$	537

⁽¹⁾ Amount included in pension expense. Refer to Note 17 – Pension and Postretirement Benefits.

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Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes

Income from continuing operations before income taxes consisted of the following: 

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Foreign	$	82,919	$	33,611	$	35,571
United States		21,431		31,118		2,364
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	104,350	$	64,729	$	37,935

Summary of Significant Components of the Income Tax Provision From Continuing Operations

Significant components of the income tax provision from continuing operations are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016			2015
Current:
United States:
Federal	$	1,693	$	3,685		$	(876	)
State		2,573		1,716			1,558
Foreign		15,583		8,177			9,342
Total current		19,849		13,578			10,024
Deferred:
United States:
Federal		19,893		8,427			1,854
State		1,761		(598	)		(164	)
Foreign		4,395		(157	)		(1,221	)
Total deferred		26,049		7,672			469
Income tax expense	$	45,898	$	21,250		$	10,493

Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017					2016					2015
Computed income tax expense at statutory federal income tax rate of 35%	$	36,522		35.0	%	$	22,655		35.0	%	$	13,277		35.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit		1,160		1.1	%		292		0.5	%		1,713		4.5	%
Deemed mandatory repatriation state tax		1,206		1.2	%		—		—			—		—
Deemed mandatory repatriation federal tax, net of foreign tax credit		6,936		6.6	%		—		—			—		—
Remeasurement of deferred taxes due to reduction in U.S. tax rate *		8,000		7.7	%		—		—			—		—
Foreign tax rate differential		(5,031	)	(4.8	)%		(882	)	(1.4	)%		(1,181	)	(3.1	)%
U.S. tax on current year foreign earnings, net of foreign tax credits		(2,726	)	(2.6	)%		(373	)	(0.6	)%		(948	)	(2.5	)%
Change in valuation allowance		(796	)	(0.8	)%		1,230		1.9	%		(944	)	(2.5	)%
Other adjustments, net		627		0.6	%		(1,672	)	(2.6	)%		(1,424	)	(3.7	)%
Income tax expense	$	45,898		44.0	%	$	21,250		32.8	%	$	10,493		27.7	%

* Includes $0.6 million increase to the valuation allowance related to the remeasurement of deferred taxes due to the reduction in U.S. tax rate.

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

The components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016
Deferred tax assets:
Tax credit carryforwards	$	6,654		$	11,380
Pension, compensation, and other employee benefits		15,173			22,868
Provisions for losses		5,826			10,235
Net operating loss carryforward		5,195			5,023
State income taxes		2,502			3,790
Other deferred income tax assets		2,796			5,020
Total deferred tax assets		38,146			58,316
Valuation allowance		(4,010	)		(3,998	)
Foreign deferred tax assets included above		(2,396	)		(1,972	)
Net deferred tax assets		31,740			52,346
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		(10,530	)		(3,299	)
Deferred tax related to life insurance		(3,556	)		(5,642	)
Goodwill and other intangible assets		(4,299	)		(4,535	)
Other deferred income tax liabilities		(463	)		(557	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(18,848	)		(14,033	)
Foreign deferred tax liabilities included above		7,869			2,852
United States net deferred tax assets	$	20,761		$	41,165

Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

(in thousands)	Continuing Operations			Discontinued Operations			Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	1,283		$	636		$	1,919
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		43			—			43
Reductions for tax positions taken in prior years		(666	)		—			(666	)
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		(353	)		—			(353	)
Balance at December 31, 2015		307			636			943
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		1,295			—			1,295
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		(43	)		—			(43	)
Balance at December 31, 2016		1,559			636			2,195
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		43			—			43
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		(177	)		(636	)		(813	)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	1,425		$	—		$	1,425

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) of Viad's Postretirement Benefit Plans

The components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) of our pension plans consist of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	64		$	98		$	101
Interest cost		803			1,032			1,018
Expected return on plan assets		(176	)		(256	)		(380	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		433			423			492
Net periodic benefit cost		1,124			1,297			1,231
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss (gain)		114			1			(963	)
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss		(433	)		(423	)		(492	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		(319	)		(422	)		(1,455	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income (loss)	$	805		$	875		$	(224	)

The components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) of our postretirement benefit plans consist of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	92		$	99		$	152
Interest cost		413			573			619
Amortization of prior service credit		(431	)		(503	)		(552	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		164			295			528
Net periodic benefit cost		238			464			747
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss (gain)		237			(790	)		(1,248	)
Prior service credit		816			73			3
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss		(164	)		(295	)		(528	)
Prior service credit		431			503			552
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		1,320			(509	)		(1,221	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income (loss)	$	1,558		$	(45	)	$	(474	)

The components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) included the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	530		$	488		$	503
Interest cost		492			488			505
Expected return on plan assets		(602	)		(558	)		(583	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		155			162			160
Settlement		777			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost		1,352			580			585
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss		(106	)		158			182
Reversal of amortization of net actuarial loss		(155	)		(162	)		(160	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		(261	)		(4	)		22
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income	$	1,091		$	576		$	607

Summary of Funded Status of the Plans

The following table indicates the funded status of the plans as of December 31:

													Postretirement
	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans						Benefit Plans
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	15,027		$	14,906		$	9,825		$	10,049		$	13,619		$	14,573
Service cost		—			—			64			97			92			99
Interest cost		492			629			311			403			413			573
Actuarial adjustments		618			240			175			(221	)		237			(790	)
Plan amendments		—			—			—			—			816			73
Benefits paid		(697	)		(748	)		(518	)		(503	)		(1,370	)		(909	)
Benefit obligation at end of year		15,440			15,027			9,857			9,825			13,807			13,619
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		10,416			10,479			—			—			—			—
Actual return on plan assets		855			273			—			—			—			—
Company contributions		1,016			412			518			503			1,370			909
Benefits paid		(697	)		(748	)		(518	)		(503	)		(1,370	)		(909	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		11,590			10,416			—			—			—			—
Funded status at end of year	$	(3,850	)	$	(4,611	)	$	(9,857	)	$	(9,825	)	$	(13,807	)	$	(13,619	)

The following table represents the funded status of the plans as of December 31:

	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	10,488		$	9,744		$	2,486		$	2,470
Service cost		530			488			—			—
Interest cost		406			400			87			87
Actuarial adjustments		658			395			(54	)		105
Benefits paid		(3,231	)		(818	)		(182	)		(177	)
Translation adjustment		670			279			245			1
Benefit obligation at end of year		9,521			10,488			2,582			2,486
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		10,576			9,705			—			—
Actual return on plan assets		764			617			—			—
Company contributions		710			795			182			177
Benefits paid		(3,231	)		(818	)		(182	)		(177	)
Translation adjustment		674			277			—			—
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		9,493			10,576			—			—
Funded status at end of year	$	(28	)	$	88		$	(2,582	)	$	(2,486	)

Net Amount Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets

The net amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the caption “Pension and postretirement benefits” as of December 31 are as follows:

									Postretirement
	Funded Plans				Unfunded Plans				Benefit Plans
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016
Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	809	$	699	$	1,112	$	1,094
Non-current liabilities		3,850		4,611		9,048		9,126		12,695		12,525
Net amount recognized	$	3,850	$	4,611	$	9,857	$	9,825	$	13,807	$	13,619

The net amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the caption “Pension and postretirement benefits” as of December 31 were as follows:

	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2017		2016
Non-current assets	$	(15	)	$	(88	)	$	—	$	—
Other current liabilities		—			—			188		170
Non-current liabilities		43			—			2,394		2,316
Net amount recognized	$	28		$	(88	)	$	2,582	$	2,486

Amounts Recognized in AOCI

Amounts recognized in AOCI as of December 31 are as follows:

													Postretirement
	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans						Benefit Plans						Total			Total
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016
Net actuarial loss	$	8,681		$	9,090		$	2,587		$	2,496		$	2,784		$	2,710		$	14,052		$	14,296
Prior service credit		—			—			—			—			(351	)		(1,598	)		(351	)		(1,598	)
Subtotal		8,681			9,090			2,587			2,496			2,433			1,112			13,701			12,698
Less tax effect		(3,292	)		(3,447	)		(981	)		(947	)		(923	)		(422	)		(5,196	)		(4,816	)
Total	$	5,389		$	5,643		$	1,606		$	1,549		$	1,510		$	690		$	8,505		$	7,882

Fair Value of Plans' Assets by Asset Class

The fair value of the domestic plans’ assets by asset class are as follows:

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017
			Quoted Prices in Active Markets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
(in thousands)	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Domestic pension plans:
Fixed income securities	$	5,787	$	5,787	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		5,390		5,390		—		—
Cash		214		214		—		—
Other		199		—		199		—
Total	$	11,590	$	11,391	$	199	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016
			Quoted Prices in Active Markets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
(in thousands)	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Domestic pension plans:
Fixed income securities	$	5,352	$	5,352	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		4,580		4,580		—		—
Cash		280		280		—		—
Other		204		—		204		—
Total	$	10,416	$	10,212	$	204	$	—

The fair value information related to the foreign pension plans’ assets is summarized in the following tables:

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2017		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Fixed income securities	$	4,414	$	4,414	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		4,889		4,466		423		—
Other		190		190		—		—
Total	$	9,493	$	9,070	$	423	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2016		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Fixed income securities	$	4,082	$	4,082	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		4,518		4,130		388		—
Other		1,976		1,976		—		—
Total	$	10,576	$	10,188	$	388	$	—

Payments and Receipts Reflecting Expected Future Service

The following pension and postretirement benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

(in thousands)	Funded Plans		Unfunded Plans		Postretirement Benefit Plans
2018	$	1,434	$	823	$	1,132
2019	$	927	$	738	$	1,127
2020	$	997	$	740	$	1,100
2021	$	921	$	725	$	1,066
2022	$	990	$	709	$	1,039
2023-2027	$	4,859	$	3,259	$	4,685

The following payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

(in thousands)	Funded Plans		Unfunded Plans
2018	$	365	$	191
2019	$	376	$	190
2020	$	378	$	190
2021	$	396	$	190
2022	$	496	$	189
2023-2027	$	2,499	$	935

Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets

The accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of December 31 were as follows:

	Domestic Plans
	Funded Plans				Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2017		2016
Projected benefit obligation	$	15,440	$	15,027	$	9,857	$	9,825
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	15,440	$	15,027	$	9,826	$	9,737
Fair value of plan assets	$	11,590	$	10,416	$	—	$	—

	Foreign Plans
	Funded Plans				Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2017		2016
Projected benefit obligation	$	9,521	$	10,488	$	2,582	$	2,486
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	8,819	$	9,906	$	2,582	$	2,486
Fair value of plan assets	$	9,493	$	10,576	$	—	$	—

Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31 were as follows:

	Domestic Plans
	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans						Postretirement Benefit Plans						Foreign Plans
	2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016
Discount rate		3.63	%		4.12	%		3.55	%		3.99	%		3.59	%		4.08	%		3.15	%		3.52	%
Rate of compensation increase	N/A			N/A				3.00	%		3.00	%	N/A			N/A				2.26	%		2.34	%

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs as of December 31 were as follows:

	Domestic Plans
	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans						Postretirement Benefit Plans						Foreign Plans
	2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016
Discount rate		4.07	%		4.33	%		3.99	%		4.25	%		4.08	%		4.30	%		3.71	%		3.77	%
Expected return on plan assets		5.50	%		2.25	%	N/A			N/A				0.00	%		0.00	%		5.09	%		4.53	%
Rate of compensation increase	N/A			N/A				3.00	%		3.00	%	N/A			N/A				2.26	%		2.34	%

Multi-Employer Pension Plans

The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates plans for which a financial improvement plan or a rehabilitation plan is either pending or has been implemented.

		Plan		Pension Protection Act Zone Status		FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented	Viad Contributions						Surcharge Paid	Expiration Date of Collective- Bargaining Agreement(s)
(in thousands)	EIN	No.		2017	2016		2017		2016		2015
Pension Fund:
Western Conference of  Teamsters Pension Plan	91-6145047		1	Green	Green	No	$	7,809	$	6,684	$	5,632	No	3/31/2020
Southern California Local 831—Employer Pension Fund(1)	95-6376874		1	Green	Green	No		3,087		2,805		2,485	No	8/31/2019
Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Pension Fund	36-6130207		1	Green	Yellow	Yes		2,390		2,532		1,887	No	5/31/2019
IBEW Local Union  No 357 Pension Plan A	88-6023284		1	Green	Green	No		1,682		1,402		1,150	No	6/16/2018
Electrical Contractors Assoc. Chicago Local Union 134, IBEW Joint Pension Trust of Chicago Plan #2	51-6030753		2	Green	Green	No		1,099		845		1,190	No	6/6/2021
Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan	36-6044243		1	Red	Red	Yes		1,060		1,151		948	No	12/31/2018
Southern California IBEW-NECA Pension Fund	95-6392774		1	Yellow	Yellow	Yes		905		701		835	Yes	continuous
Southwest Carpenters Pension Trust	95-6042875		1	Green	Green	No		883		791		750	No	6/30/2018
New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension	04-6372430		1	Red	Red	Yes		772		552		381	No	3/31/2022
Machinery Movers Riggers & Mach Erect Local 136 Supplemental Retirement Plan(1)	36-1416355		11	Red	Red	Yes		719		1,203		502	Yes	6/30/2019
Sign Pictorial & Display Industry Pension Plan(1)	94-6278490		1	Green	Green	No		654		526		541	No	3/31/2018
All other funds(2)								2,900		3,585		4,259
Total contributions to defined benefit plans								23,960		22,777		20,560
Total contributions to other plans								2,613		2,995		1,428
Total contributions to multi-employer plans							$	26,573	$	25,772	$	21,988

⁽¹⁾ We contributed more than 5% of total plan contributions for the 2016 and 2015 plan years based on the plans’ Form 5500s.

⁽²⁾ Represents participation in 35 pension funds during 2017.

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Restructuring Charges (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]

Changes to Restructuring Liability by Major Restructuring Activity

Changes to the restructuring liability by major restructuring activity are as follows:

	GES Consolidation						Other Restructurings
(in thousands)	Severance & Employee Benefits			Facilities			Severance & Employee Benefits			Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	543		$	1,161		$	240		$	1,944
Restructuring charges		1,767			587			602			2,956
Cash payments		(1,514	)		(457	)		(601	)		(2,572	)
Adjustment to liability		(45	)		—			(7	)		(52	)
Balance at December 31, 2015		751			1,291			234			2,276
Restructuring charges		3,693			759			731			5,183
Cash payments		(2,170	)		(1,150	)		(546	)		(3,866	)
Adjustment to liability		—			192			(3	)		189
Balance at December 31, 2016		2,274			1,092			416			3,782
Restructuring charges		442			265			297			1,004
Cash payments		(1,165	)		(550	)		(538	)		(2,253	)
Adjustment to liability		—			—			16			16
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	1,551		$	807		$	191		$	2,549

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Leases and Other (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Leases [Abstract]

Future minimum rental payments and related sublease rentals receivable

As of December 31, 2017, our future minimum rental payments and related sublease rentals receivable with respect to non-cancelable operating leases with terms in excess of one year were as follows:

(in thousands)	Rental Payments		Receivable Under Subleases
2018	$	23,503	$	2,627
2019		20,299		2,384
2020		17,265		2,209
2021		8,812		2,267
2022		5,555		2,195
Thereafter		81,135		3,657
Total	$	156,569	$	15,339

Net rent expense under operating leases

Net rent expense under operating leases consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Minimum rentals	$	56,575		$	48,465		$	41,564
Sublease rentals		(1,525	)		(2,831	)		(3,457	)
Total rentals, net	$	55,050		$	45,634		$	38,107

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Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Summary of Changes in Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests are as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	—
Redeemable noncontrolling interest related to 2017 acquisition		6,735
Adjustment to the redemption value		(30	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(57	)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	6,648

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Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Reconciliation of income statement items from reportable segments

Our reportable segments, with reconciliations to consolidated totals, are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Revenue:
GES:
U.S.	$	872,154		$	826,408		$	720,882
International		282,712			248,503			272,634
Intersegment eliminations		(21,769	)		(20,172	)		(16,638	)
Total GES		1,133,097			1,054,739			976,878
Pursuit		173,868			153,364			112,170
Corporate eliminations (1)		—			(3,133	)		—
Total revenue	$	1,306,965		$	1,204,970		$	1,089,048
Segment operating income:
GES:
U.S.	$	34,494		$	40,524		$	14,563
International		15,475			9,699			12,211
Total GES		49,969			50,223			26,774
Pursuit		47,082			35,705			27,810
Segment operating income		97,051			85,928			54,584
Corporate eliminations (1)		67			(743	)		—
Corporate activities		(12,877	)		(10,322	)		(9,720	)
Operating income		84,241			74,863			44,864
Interest income		319			1,165			658
Interest expense		(8,304	)		(5,898	)		(4,535	)
Restructuring recoveries (charges):
GES U.S.		354			(2,893	)		(541	)
GES International		(1,061	)		(1,559	)		(1,813	)
Pursuit		(86	)		(171	)		(200	)
Corporate		(211	)		(560	)		(402	)
Impairment recoveries (charges):
Pursuit		29,098			(218	)		(96	)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	104,350		$	64,729		$	37,935

⁽¹⁾ Corporate eliminations during 2017 represent the elimination of depreciation expense recorded by Pursuit associated with previously eliminated intercompany profit realized by GES for renovations to Pursuit’s Banff Gondola. Corporate eliminations recorded during 2016 represent the elimination of intercompany revenue and profit realized by GES for work completed on renovations to Pursuit’s Banff Gondola.

Reconciliation of assets from reportable segments

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016			2015
Assets:
GES:
U.S.	$	380,909	$	380,951		$	294,618
International		135,917		109,705			115,494
Pursuit		350,256		301,941			195,527
Corporate and other		52,817		77,219			85,084
	$	919,899	$	869,816		$	690,723
Depreciation and amortization:
GES:
U.S.	$	29,088	$	21,473		$	18,658
International		8,176		8,092			8,435
Pursuit		17,653		12,967			7,974
Corporate and other		197		211			164
	$	55,114	$	42,743		$	35,231
Capital expenditures:
GES:
U.S.	$	17,337	$	14,291		$	8,066
International		8,084		5,033			8,366
Pursuit		30,786		31,861			13,107
Corporate and other(1)		414		(1,370	)		300
	$	56,621	$	49,815		$	29,839

⁽¹⁾ The 2016 amount includes an intercompany elimination for work completed by GES on renovations to Pursuit’s Banff Gondola.

Financial information by major geographic area

The table below presents the financial information by major geographic area:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Revenue:
United States	$	913,210	$	855,304	$	726,436
EMEA		209,824		205,028		220,046
Canada		183,931		144,638		142,566
Total revenue	$	1,306,965	$	1,204,970	$	1,089,048
Long-lived assets:
United States	$	180,345	$	182,611	$	139,479
EMEA		43,630		37,083		15,714
Canada		129,108		104,461		71,677
Total long-lived assets	$	353,083	$	324,155	$	226,870

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Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly financial information

The following table sets forth selected unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information:

	2017												2016
(in thousands, except per share data)	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter			First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter
Revenue:	$	325,807		$	364,774		$	339,099		$	277,285		$	241,362		$	324,747		$	382,465		$	256,396
Operating income (loss):
Ongoing operations (1)	$	12,684		$	39,402		$	47,066		$	(4,726	)	$	(6,280	)	$	34,014		$	58,917		$	(1,466	)
Corporate activities		(2,610	)		(3,008	)		(4,474	)		(2,785	)		(1,911	)		(2,707	)		(2,772	)		(2,932	)
Restructuring charges		(394	)		(168	)		(255	)		(187	)		(992	)		(975	)		(1,697	)		(1,519	)
Impairment recoveries (charges)		2,384			2,247			24,467			—			—			—			(120	)		(98	)
Operating income (loss)	$	12,064		$	38,473		$	66,804		$	(7,698	)	$	(9,183	)	$	30,332		$	54,328		$	(6,015	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Viad	$	7,593		$	27,438		$	44,758		$	(21,814	)	$	(6,797	)	$	19,873		$	34,013		$	(4,136	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad	$	6,777		$	27,947		$	44,657		$	(21,674	)	$	(6,983	)	$	19,509		$	33,792		$	(4,049	)
Basic and Diluted income (loss) per common share: (2)
Continuing operations attributable to Viad	$	0.37		$	1.35		$	2.19		$	(1.08	)	$	(0.34	)	$	0.98		$	1.68		$	(0.21	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	0.33		$	1.37		$	2.19		$	(1.07	)	$	(0.35	)	$	0.96		$	1.67		$	(0.20	)

⁽¹⁾ Represents revenue less costs of services and cost of products sold.

⁽²⁾ The sum of quarterly income per share amounts may not equal annual income per share due to rounding.

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Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands			1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Dec. 29, 2016 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Segment shares
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | Segment				3
Remaining maturities of highly-liquid investments				three months or less
Business interruption gain				$ 2,692
Share based compensation arrangements requisite service period				3 years
Percent of shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant				40.00%
Percent of increments over the subsequent two anniversary dates				30.00%
Decrease in tax expense	[1]			$ 8,000
Decrease in tax percentage	[1]			7.70%
ASU 2016-09
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Decrease in tax expense				$ 1,100
Decrease in tax percentage				1.10%
Liability Based Awards
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangements requisite service period				3 years
Equity Based Awards
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangements requisite service period				3 years
Other Restricted Stock
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangements requisite service period				5 years
Stock Options
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangements requisite service period				5 years
Stock options granted | shares				0
Glacier Park Inc
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of non-equity ownership related to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests				20.00%
Minimum | Restricted Stock
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangements vesting period				3 years
Maximum | Restricted Stock
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangements vesting period				5 years
Building | Minimum
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life				15 years
Building | Maximum
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life				40 years
Equipment | Minimum
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life				3 years
Equipment | Maximum
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life				12 years
Computer Software, Development Costs | Minimum
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life				3 years
Computer Software, Development Costs | Maximum
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life				10 years
Mount Royal Hotel
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Asset impairment loss		$ 2,200		$ 200
Property and business interruption insurance claims total			$ 36,300
Insurance proceeds allocated to insurance receivable				2,200
Impairment recoveries				29,300
Business interruption gain				2,500
Insurance settlements to offset non capitalized costs				1,300
Deferred revenue				$ 1,000
Pursuit
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of business lines | Segment				4

[1] Includes $0.6 million increase to the valuation allowance related to the remeasurement of deferred taxes due to the reduction in U.S. tax rate.

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Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Share-Based Compensation Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Summary of share-based compensation expense
Share-based compensation before income tax benefit	$ 10,969	$ 8,038	$ 3,848
Income tax benefit	(4,079)	(2,988)	(1,454)
Share-based compensation, net of income tax benefit	6,890	5,050	2,394
Performance unit incentive plan (“PUP”)
Summary of share-based compensation expense
Share-based compensation before income tax benefit	8,088	5,703	1,692
Restricted stock
Summary of share-based compensation expense
Share-based compensation before income tax benefit	2,594	2,073	2,111
Restricted stock units
Summary of share-based compensation expense
Share-based compensation before income tax benefit	$ 287	$ 262	$ 45

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Share-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2017
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Capitalized share-based compensation costs							$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Repurchase of common stock for employee tax withholding obligations amount, shares							41,532	25,432	35,649
Repurchased shares							0	0	141,462
Common stock purchased for treasury									$ 3,800,000
2017 Plan
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Useful Life of the plan							10 years
Common stock shares issuable										1,750,000
Shares available for grant							1,744,546
2007 Plan
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Award vesting period							3 years
Performance Unit Incentive Plan (“PUP”) | 2007 Plan
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Awards granted during the period							$ 3,500,000
Stock value payable							1,400,000
Liability awards recorded							11,000,000	$ 7,600,000
Payments to employees	$ 3,700,000		$ 200,000		$ 2,400,000
Restricted Stock | 2007 Plan
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Grant date fair value of restricted stock vested							2,700,000	$ 2,000,000	$ 2,200,000
Unamortized cost							$ 2,500,000
Recognition period of unrecognized cost							1 year 2 months 12 days
Repurchase of common stock for employee tax withholding obligations amount, shares							41,532	25,432	35,649
Repurchase of common stock for employee tax withholding obligations amount							$ 2,100,000	$ 700,000	$ 1,000,000
Repurchased shares									141,462
Common stock purchased for treasury									$ 3,800,000
Restricted Stock Units | 2007 Plan
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Payments to employees		$ 300,000		$ 200,000		$ 300,000
Liabilities related to restricted stock							500,000	$ 400,000
Stock Options | 2007 Plan
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Unamortized cost							$ 0
Exercised							0
Forfeited or expired							0
Exercisable							63,773	63,773
Outstanding							63,773	63,773
Weighted-average exercise price							$ 16.62	$ 16.62
Weighted average remaining contractual life							2 years	2 years
Restructuring Charges | Performance Unit Incentive Plan (“PUP”)
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation before income tax benefit							$ 100,000	$ 200,000	$ 45,000

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Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Activity of the Outstanding Share-Based Compensation Awards (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 $ / shares shares
Performance Unit Incentive Plan (“PUP”)
Summary of activity of the outstanding share-based compensation awards
Beginning Balance, Shares | shares	255,505
Granted, Shares | shares	73,557
Vested, Shares | shares	(76,082)
Forfeited, Shares | shares	(13,642)
Ending Balance, Shares | shares	239,338
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Beginning Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 26.11
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	47.44
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	24.07
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	34.99
Ending Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 32.80
Restricted Stock
Summary of activity of the outstanding share-based compensation awards
Beginning Balance, Shares | shares	267,051
Granted, Shares | shares	67,029
Vested, Shares | shares	(112,548)
Forfeited, Shares | shares	(14,633)
Ending Balance, Shares | shares	206,899
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Beginning Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 25.96
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	46.99
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	24.04
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	35.31
Ending Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 33.16
Restricted Stock Units
Summary of activity of the outstanding share-based compensation awards
Beginning Balance, Shares | shares	15,982
Granted, Shares | shares	2,950
Vested, Shares | shares	(6,182)
Forfeited, Shares | shares	0
Ending Balance, Shares | shares	12,750
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Beginning Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 25.58
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	47.45
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	24.97
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	0
Ending Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 30.94

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Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Additional Stock Option Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Total intrinsic value of stock options outstanding	[1]	$ 2,473	$ 1,753	$ 740
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised		0	0	1,474
Cash received from the exercise of stock options		0	0	898
Tax benefits realized for tax deductions related to stock option exercises		$ 0	$ 0	$ 104

[1] The intrinsic value of stock options outstanding represents the difference between our closing stock price on December 31 of each year and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money stock options.

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Acquisition of Businesses - Narrative (Details) € in Millions, CAD in Millions									1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 03, 2017 USD ($)	Nov. 03, 2017 EUR (€)	Dec. 29, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2016 CAD	Aug. 11, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 11, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 04, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 04, 2016 CAD	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Poken Event Engagement Technology
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price									$ 1,700,000
Acquisition related costs										$ 300,000
Esja Attractions ehf.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price	$ 9,500,000	€ 8.2
Acquisition related costs										$ 100,000
Business acquisition date										Nov. 03, 2017
Percentage of controlling interest acquired	54.50%
Estimated fair value of non-controlling interest	$ 6,700,000
Operating income (losses)										$ (100,000)
Maligne Tours Ltd
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price							$ 14,962,000	CAD 20.9
Acquisition related costs										$ 100,000	$ 100,000	$ 200,000
Business acquisition date										Jan. 04, 2016
CATC Alaska Tourism Corporation
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price						$ 45,000,000
Acquisition related costs										$ 100,000	100,000	$ 600,000
Business acquisition date										Mar. 11, 2016
Percentage of controlling interest acquired						100.00%
ON Event Services LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price					$ 87,000,000
Acquisition related costs										$ 100,000	900,000
Business acquisition date										Aug. 11, 2016
Estimated fair value of Earnout					$ 540,000
Goodwill expected to be tax deductible, term of recognition					15 years
ON Event Services LLC | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Aggregate purchase price					$ 92,500,000
Contingent liability					$ 5,500,000
FlyOver Canada
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price			$ 50,920,000	CAD 68.8
Acquisition related costs										$ 100,000	$ 500,000
Business acquisition date										Dec. 29, 2016

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Acquisition of Businesses - Schedule of Recognized Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) CAD in Millions							12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2016 CAD	Aug. 11, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 11, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 04, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 04, 2016 CAD	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total purchase price, net of cash acquired							$ 1,501,000	$ 195,989,000	$ 430,000
Excess purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired (“goodwill”)							$ 270,551,000	$ 254,022,000	$ 185,223,000
Maligne Tours Ltd
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash					$ 14,962,000	CAD 20.9
Total purchase price, net of cash acquired					14,962,000
Inventories					246,000
Prepaid expenses					2,000
Property and equipment					4,133,000
Intangible assets					9,244,000
Total assets acquired					13,625,000
Customer deposits					15,000
Other liabilities					240,000
Total liabilities acquired					255,000
Total fair value of net assets acquired					13,370,000
Excess purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired (“goodwill”)					$ 1,592,000
CATC Alaska Tourism Corporation
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash				$ 45,000,000
Working capital adjustment				(35,000)
Cash acquired				(2,196,000)
Total purchase price, net of cash acquired				42,769,000
Accounts receivable				8,000
Inventories				921,000
Prepaid expenses				82,000
Property and equipment				43,470,000
Intangible assets				980,000
Total assets acquired				45,461,000
Accounts payable				306,000
Accrued liabilities				434,000
Customer deposits				1,952,000
Total liabilities acquired				2,692,000
Total fair value of net assets acquired				$ 42,769,000
ON Event Services LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash			$ 87,000,000
Working capital adjustment			344,000
Contingent consideration			540,000
Total purchase price, net of cash acquired			87,884,000
Accounts receivable			4,643,000
Inventories			256,000
Prepaid expenses			872,000
Property and equipment			14,827,000
Intangible assets			33,990,000
Total assets acquired			54,588,000
Accounts payable			992,000
Accrued liabilities			564,000
Customer deposits			851,000
Other liabilities			274,000
Total liabilities acquired			2,681,000
Total fair value of net assets acquired			51,907,000
Excess purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired (“goodwill”)			$ 35,977,000
FlyOver Canada
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash	$ 50,920,000	CAD 68.8
Cash acquired	(6,000)
Total purchase price, net of cash acquired	50,914,000
Inventories	11,000
Prepaid expenses	37,000
Property and equipment	10,867,000
Intangible assets	6,028,000
Total assets acquired	16,943,000
Accrued liabilities	118,000
Total liabilities acquired	118,000
Total fair value of net assets acquired	16,825,000
Excess purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired (“goodwill”)	$ 34,089,000

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Acquisition of Businesses - Schedule of Purchase Price Allocated to Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 29, 2016	Aug. 11, 2016	Mar. 11, 2016	Jan. 04, 2016
Maligne Tours Ltd
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired					$ 9,244
Weighted average life	[1]				26 years 8 months 12 days
Maligne Tours Ltd | Customer relationships
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired					$ 788
Maligne Tours Ltd | Operating licenses
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired					8,313
Maligne Tours Ltd | Trade name
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired					$ 143
CATC Alaska Tourism Corporation
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired				$ 980
Weighted average life				5 years 9 months 18 days
CATC Alaska Tourism Corporation | Customer relationships
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired				$ 780
CATC Alaska Tourism Corporation | Trade name
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired				$ 200
ON Event Services LLC
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired			$ 33,990
Weighted average life			10 years 6 months
ON Event Services LLC | Customer relationships
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired			$ 27,620
ON Event Services LLC | Trade name
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired			3,190
ON Event Services LLC | Non-compete agreements
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired			$ 3,180
FlyOver Canada
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired		$ 6,028
Weighted average life		9 years 4 months 24 days
FlyOver Canada | Customer relationships
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired		$ 1,592
FlyOver Canada | Trade name
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired		3,710
FlyOver Canada | Non-compete agreements
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired		$ 726

[1] Largely attributable to operating licenses amortized over the remaining Parks Canada lease of 29 years.

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Acquisition of Businesses - Schedule of Purchase Price Allocated to Intangible Assets (Parenthetical) (Details)	Jan. 04, 2016
Maligne Tours Ltd | Parks Canada
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Operating licenses amortized period	29 years

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Acquisition of Businesses - Unaudited Pro Forma (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 1,250,290	$ 1,183,656
Depreciation and amortization	52,074	52,631
Income from continuing operations	43,727	27,881
Net income attributable to Viad	$ 42,517	$ 27,045
Diluted income per share	$ 2.10	$ 1.35
Basic income per share	$ 2.10	$ 1.35

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Inventories - Components of Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Components of Inventories
Raw materials	$ 17,550	$ 16,846
Work in process	12,822	14,574
Inventories	$ 30,372	$ 31,420

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Other Current Assets - Schedule of Other Current Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Prepaid vendor payments	$ 5,048	$ 3,633
Income tax receivable	4,237	3,614
Prepaid software maintenance	3,386	2,804
Prepaid insurance	2,610	2,479
Prepaid taxes	912	850
Prepaid rent	730	327
Prepaid other	2,172	731
Other	1,935	4,011
Other current assets	$ 21,030	$ 18,449

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Property and Equipment - Schedule of Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Gross property and equipment		$ 606,338	$ 544,525
Accumulated depreciation		(300,767)	(264,667)
Property and equipment, net		305,571	279,858
Land and land interests
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Gross property and equipment	[1]	32,544	31,670
Buildings and leasehold improvements
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Gross property and equipment		222,118	185,987
Equipment and other
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Gross property and equipment	[2]	$ 351,676	$ 326,868

[1] Land and land interests include certain leasehold interests in land within Pursuit for which we are considered to have perpetual use rights. The carrying amount of these leasehold interests was $8.4 million as of December 31, 2017 and $7.9 million as of December 31, 2016. These land interests are not subject to amortization.

[2] Equipment and other includes capitalized costs incurred in developing or obtaining internal and external use software. The net carrying amount of capitalized software was $10.1 million as of December 31, 2017 and $11.9 million as of December 31, 2016.

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Property and Equipment - Schedule of Property and Equipment (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Leasehold interests	$ 606,338	$ 544,525
Net carrying amount of capitalized software	10,100	11,900
Leasehold Land Interests | Pursuit
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Leasehold interests	$ 8,400	$ 7,900

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Property and Equipment - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense							$ 42,700	$ 33,600	$ 28,100
Non-cash increases property and equipment acquired under capital leases							2,500	1,200	1,000
Non-cash increases property and equipment purchases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities							2,300	900	2,300
Impairment charges (recoveries)		$ (24,467)	$ (2,247)	$ (2,384)	$ 98	$ 120	(29,098)	218	96
Mount Royal Hotel
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Asset impairment loss	$ 2,200						200
Mount Royal Hotel | Canada
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Insurance claims							36,300
Impairment recoveries							29,300
Asset impairment loss	$ 2,200						$ 200
Pursuit
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Impairment charges (recoveries)								$ 200	$ 100

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Other Investments and Assets - Summary of Other Investments and Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]
Cash surrender value of life insurance	$ 23,947	$ 23,197
Self-insured liability receivable	10,442	10,463
Workers’ compensation insurance security deposits	3,550	4,050
Other mutual funds	2,637	2,062
Other	6,936	4,525
Other investments and assets	$ 47,512	$ 44,297

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Goodwill Balances by Component and Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning	$ 254,022	$ 185,223
Business acquisitions	8,154	71,658
Foreign currency translation adjustments	8,375	(2,859)
Balance, ending	270,551	254,022
GES U.S.
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning	148,277	112,300
Business acquisitions		35,977
Balance, ending	148,277	148,277
GES International
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning	34,460	38,635
Business acquisitions	1,060
Foreign currency translation adjustments	3,320	(4,175)
Balance, ending	38,840	34,460
Pursuit
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning	71,285	34,288
Business acquisitions	7,094	35,681
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,055	1,316
Balance, ending	$ 83,434	$ 71,285

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill by Reporting Unit and Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 29, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill	$ 270,551	$ 254,022		$ 185,223
GES U.S.
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill	148,277	148,277		112,300
GES International
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill	38,840	34,460		38,635
GES International | GES EMEA
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill	31,612	27,694
GES International | GES Canada
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill	7,228	6,766
GES
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill	187,117	182,737
Pursuit
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill	83,434	71,285		$ 34,288
Pursuit | Banff Jasper Collection
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill	35,305	32,587
Pursuit | Alaska Collection
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill	3,184	3,184
Pursuit | Glacier Park Collection
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill	1,268	1,268
FlyOver Canada
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill			$ 34,089
FlyOver Canada | Pursuit
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill	$ 43,677	$ 34,246

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Accumulated Impairment Loss on Goodwill	$ 229.7	$ 229.7
Intangible asset amortization expense	$ 12.4	$ 9.2	$ 7.2
Customer contracts and relationships
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Weighted-average amortization period of intangible assets	8 years 6 months
Tradenames
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Weighted-average amortization period of intangible assets	7 years
Operating contracts and licenses
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Weighted-average amortization period of intangible assets	26 years 3 months 18 days
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Weighted-average amortization period of intangible assets	2 years 2 months 12 days
Non-compete agreements
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Weighted-average amortization period of intangible assets	2 years 2 months 12 days
GES U.S.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of estimated fair values	134.00%
FlyOver Canada
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of estimated fair values	29.00%
GES EMEA | GES International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of estimated fair values	214.00%
GES Canada | GES International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of estimated fair values	164.00%
Banff Jasper Collection | Pursuit
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of estimated fair values	147.00%
Alaska Collection | Pursuit
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of estimated fair values	99.00%
Glacier Park Collection | Pursuit
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of estimated fair values	16.00%

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Amortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Value	$ 93,641	$ 91,477
Accumulated Amortization	(31,320)	(18,264)
Amortized intangible assets, Net Carrying Value	62,321	73,213
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	94,101	91,937
Other intangible assets, net	62,781	73,673
Customer contracts and relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Amortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Value	68,798	67,762
Accumulated Amortization	(23,696)	(14,345)
Amortized intangible assets, Net Carrying Value	45,102	53,417
Operating contracts and licenses
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Amortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Value	9,951	9,315
Accumulated Amortization	(1,094)	(652)
Amortized intangible assets, Net Carrying Value	8,857	8,663
Tradenames
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Amortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Value	8,633	8,324
Accumulated Amortization	(2,873)	(1,440)
Amortized intangible assets, Net Carrying Value	5,760	6,884
Non-compete agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Amortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Value	5,363	5,190
Accumulated Amortization	(3,007)	(1,369)
Amortized intangible assets, Net Carrying Value	2,356	3,821
Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Amortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Value	896	886
Accumulated Amortization	(650)	(458)
Amortized intangible assets, Net Carrying Value	246	428
Business licenses
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Unamortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Value	$ 460	$ 460

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expense Related to Amortized Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Estimated amortization expense related to amortized intangible assets
2018	$ 11,013
2019	9,945
2020	8,444
2021	7,447
2022	5,895
Thereafter	19,577
Amortized intangible assets, Net Carrying Value	$ 62,321	$ 73,213

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Other Current Liabilities - Schedule of Other Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Continuing operations:
Accrued income tax payable	$ 7,518	$ 758
Self-insured liability accrual	6,208	5,941
Commissions payable	3,235	639
Accrued employee benefit costs	2,915	2,624
Accrued sales and use taxes	2,431	4,279
Accrued dividends	2,094	2,119
Current portion of pension and postretirement liabilities	2,109	1,963
Deferred rent	1,679	1,535
Accrued rebates	1,106	1,078
Accrued professional fees	1,020	794
Accrued restructuring	722	1,924
Other taxes	2,750	4,210
Other	3,852	1,774
Total continuing operations	37,639	29,638
Discontinued operations:
Environmental remediation liabilities	648	492
Self-insured liability accrual	337	162
Other	96	98
Total discontinued operations	1,081	752
Total other current liabilities	$ 38,720	$ 30,390

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Other Deferred Items and Liabilities - Summary of Other Deferred Items and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Continuing operations:
Self-insured liability	$ 12,918	$ 12,981
Self-insured excess liability	10,442	10,463
Accrued compensation	9,740	8,514
Foreign deferred tax liability	8,267	2,264
Deferred rent	3,855	5,271
Accrued restructuring	1,827	1,858
Other	1,305	1,300
Total continuing operations	48,354	42,651
Discontinued operations:
Self-insured liability	2,557	3,748
Environmental remediation liabilities	1,728	3,091
Accrued income taxes		1,045
Other	219	199
Total discontinued operations	4,504	8,083
Total other deferred items and liabilities	$ 52,858	$ 50,734

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Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Schedule of Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility and term loan gross	[1]	$ 207,322	$ 212,750
Less unamortized debt issuance costs		(984)	(1,464)
Total debt		206,338	247,742
Capital lease obligations, 3.8% weighted-average interest rate at December 31, 2017 and 4.9% at December 31, 2016, due through 2021		2,854	1,469
Total debt and capital lease obligations		209,192	249,211
Current portion	[2]	(152,599)	(174,968)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations		$ 56,593	74,243
Brewster Inc. Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility and term loan gross	[1]		$ 36,456

[1] Represents the weighted-average interest rate in effect at the respective periods for the revolving credit facilities and term loan borrowings, including any applicable margin. The interest rates do not include amortization of debt issuance costs or commitment fees.

[2] Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities are classified as current because all borrowed amounts are due within one year.

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Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Schedule of Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Parenthetical) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on credit facility	3.10%	2.60%
Weighted interest rate on long term debt	3.80%	4.90%
Current revolving credit facility maturity period	1 year	1 year
Brewster Inc. Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on credit facility		2.70%

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Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands				12 Months Ended
		Dec. 06, 2017	Dec. 22, 2014	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2016
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Leverage ratio				145.00%
Fixed charge coverage ratio				310.00%
Total debt and capital lease obligations				$ 209,192	$ 249,211
Revolving Credit Facility, Balance Outstanding	[1]			207,322	212,750
Capital lease obligations, total				2,854	1,469
Remaining borrowing capacity on line of credit				41,400
Letters of credit outstanding				1,300
Unamortized debt issuance cost				984	1,464
Maximum potential amount of future payments				$ 19,300
Guarantees relate to facilities leased by the company				2027-10
Recourse provisions				There are no recourse provisions that would enable us to recover from third parties any payments made under the guarantees
Accumulated Amortization				$ 31,320	$ 18,264
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate				3.70%	3.10%	3.20%
Fair value of debt				$ 203,200	$ 252,800
Cash paid for interest on debt				$ 7,700	5,500	$ 4,200
Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage on line of credit				0.30%
Revolving Credit Facility, Balance Outstanding				$ 132,300
Collateral on line of credit				Furthermore, there are no collateral or similar arrangements whereby we could recover payments
Term Loan
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, Balance Outstanding				$ 75,000
Brewster Revolver
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Borrowing capacity on line of credit		$ 20,000					$ 38,000
Maturity date		Dec. 28, 2018
Commitment fee percentage on line of credit				0.20%
Revolving Credit Facility, Balance Outstanding	[1]				36,456
Remaining borrowing capacity on line of credit				$ 20,000
Capital Leases
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Gross amount of assets recorded under capital leases				4,800	3,300
Accumulated Amortization				$ 2,000	$ 1,700
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maturity date			Dec. 22, 2019
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement | Senior Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Borrowing capacity on line of credit			$ 300,000
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Borrowing capacity on line of credit			175,000
Additional borrowing capacity on line of credit			100,000
Line of Credit borrowings used to support letter of credit			40,000
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement | Term Loan
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Borrowing capacity on line of credit			$ 125,000
Amendment No. 1
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum leverage ratio for acquisition				300.00%
Leverage ratio required for dividend or share activity				250.00%
Maximum leverage ratio for unsecured debt				300.00%
Annual share repurchase limit on leverage ratio basis				$ 20,000
Amendment No. 1 | Maximum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Leverage ratio				350.00%
Amendment No. 1 | Minimum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Fixed charge coverage ratio				175.00%
Top Tier Foreign Subsidiaries | Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Percent of lenders security interest on capital stock foreign subsidiary			65.00%

[1] Represents the weighted-average interest rate in effect at the respective periods for the revolving credit facilities and term loan borrowings, including any applicable margin. The interest rates do not include amortization of debt issuance costs or commitment fees.

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Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Schedule of Aggregate Annual Maturities of Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving Credit, Maturity, Total	[1]	$ 207,322	$ 212,750
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, 2018		1,601
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, 2019		899
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, 2020		454
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, 2021		17
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Total		2,971
Capital Leases, Interest Included in Payments		(117)
Capital Leases, Present Value of Net Minimum Payments		2,854
Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving Credit, Maturity, 2018		151,072
Revolving Credit, Maturity, 2019		56,250
Revolving Credit, Maturity, Total		$ 207,322

[1] Represents the weighted-average interest rate in effect at the respective periods for the revolving credit facilities and term loan borrowings, including any applicable margin. The interest rates do not include amortization of debt issuance costs or commitment fees.

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Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair value information related to assets
Assets		$ 2,756	$ 2,180
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Fair value information related to assets
Assets		2,756	2,180
Money market funds
Fair value information related to assets
Assets	[1]	119	118
Money market funds | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Fair value information related to assets
Assets	[1]	119	118
Other mutual funds
Fair value information related to assets
Assets	[2]	2,637	2,062
Other mutual funds | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Fair value information related to assets
Assets	[2]	$ 2,637	$ 2,062

[1] Money market funds are included in “Cash and cash equivalents” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These investments are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value. There have been no realized gains or losses related to these investments and we have not experienced any redemption restrictions with respect to any of the money market mutual funds.

[2] Other mutual funds are included in “Other investments and assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These investments are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains of $1.0 million ($0.6 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2017 and $0.7 million ($0.4 million after tax) as of December 31, 2016 are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” (“AOCI”) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Money market funds
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Realized gains on the investments	$ 0
Unrealized gains on the investments	0
Other mutual funds
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized gains on the investments	1,000,000	$ 700,000
Unrealized gains on the investments after-tax	$ 600,000	$ 400,000

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Income Per Share - Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Income Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Viad (diluted)	$ (21,674)	$ 44,657	$ 27,947	$ 6,777	$ (4,049)	$ 33,792	$ 19,509	$ (6,983)	$ 57,707	$ 42,269	$ 26,606
Less: Allocation to non-vested shares									(700)	(571)	(385)
Net income allocated to Viad common stockholders (basic)									$ 57,007	$ 41,698	$ 26,221
Denominator:
Basic weighted-average outstanding common shares									20,146	19,990	19,797
Additional dilutive shares related to share-based compensation									259	187	184
Diluted weighted-average outstanding shares									20,405	20,177	19,981
Basic income attributable to Viad common stockholders									$ 2.83	$ 2.09	$ 1.32
Diluted income attributable to Viad common stockholders									$ 2.83	$ 2.09	$ 1.32

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Income Per Share - Narrative (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Stock Options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Common stock shares effect would be anti-dilutive	8,000	500	4,000

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Preferred Stock Purchase Rights - Narrative (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017 shares
Equity [Abstract]
Preferred Stock, Authorized	5,000,000
Junior participating preferred Stock, Authorized	2,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0
Junior Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Schedules of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 370,638	$ 335,338
Ending Balance	442,937	370,638
Scenario, Previously Reported
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		(34,176)
Unrealized Gains on Investments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	421	346
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	257	135
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax	(62)	(60)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	195	75
Ending Balance	616	421
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(29,084)	(23,257)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	17,058	(5,827)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax	0	0
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	17,058	(5,827)
Ending Balance	(12,026)	(29,084)
Unrecognized Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Credit, Net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(10,728)	(11,265)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax	(430)	537
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(430)	537
Ending Balance	(11,158)	(10,728)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(39,391)	(34,176)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	17,315	(5,692)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax	(492)	477
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	16,823	(5,215)
Ending Balance	$ (22,568)	$ (39,391)

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Unrealized gains on investments										$ 319	$ 1,165	$ 658
Tax effect										(45,898)	(21,250)	(10,493)
Income from continuing operations		$ (21,814)	$ 44,758	$ 27,438	$ 7,593	$ (4,136)	$ 34,013	$ 19,873	$ (6,797)	58,452	43,479	$ 27,442
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Gains on Investments
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Unrealized gains on investments										(100)	(97)
Tax effect										38	37
Income from continuing operations										(62)	(60)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrecognized Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Credit, Net
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Recognized net actuarial (gain) loss	[1]									507	1,440
Amortization of prior service credit	[1]									(1,247)	(575)
Tax effect										310	(328)
Income from continuing operations										$ (430)	$ 537

[1] Amount included in pension expense. Refer to Note 17 – Pension and Postretirement Benefits

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Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
U.S. federal corporate tax rate				35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Tax cuts and jobs act of 2017 incomplete accounting change in tax rate income tax expense		$ 8,000,000
Tax cuts and jobs act of 2017 incomplete accounting undistributed foreign E&P subject to the deemed mandatory repatriation and recognized				$ 174,000,000
Tax cuts and jobs act of 2017 incomplete accounting current income tax expense		8,100,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross		38,146,000		38,146,000	$ 58,316,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards		6,654,000		6,654,000	11,380,000
Deferred Tax, Operating Loss Carryforwards		5,195,000		5,195,000	5,023,000
Valuation allowance		4,010,000		4,010,000	3,998,000
Decrease in tax expense	[1]			8,000,000
Liability for uncertain tax positions		1,700,000		1,700,000	2,700,000
Increase (Decrease) in Uncertain Tax Liability				100,000
Accrued Interest And Penalties Related To Continued Operations		100,000		100,000
Accrued Interest and Penalties for Discontinued Operations		400,000		400,000
Liabilities associated with discontinued operations uncertain tax positions		0		0	1,000,000
Income Taxes Paid				14,600,000	14,100,000	$ 10,100,000
Continuing Operations
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Expected tax position to be resolved or settled				1,300,000
Discontinued Operations
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Liability for uncertain tax positions		1,000,000		1,000,000
U.S
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Valuation allowance		4,000,000		4,000,000	4,000,000
Decrease in tax expense				600,000
U.S | Foreign Exchange
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Increase in foreign exchange				200,000
Foreign Tax Authority | German
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Valuation Allowance Operating Loss Carryforwards Change In Amount				(1,600,000)
State and Foreign
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards		68,400,000		68,400,000	63,000,000
Deferred Tax, Operating Loss Carryforwards		5,200,000		5,200,000	$ 5,000,000
State
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Increase in net operating loss				(500,000)
Foreign Income Tax Credit
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards		400,000		400,000
Foreign Income Tax Credit | U.S
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards		100,000		$ 100,000
Tax credit carryforward expiration period				10 years
Tax credit carryforward expiration year				2021
Foreign Income Tax Credit | Foreign Tax Authority | United Kingdom
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards		300,000		$ 300,000
Valuation Allowance Operating Loss Carryforwards Change In Amount				300,000
Alternative Minimum Tax Credit Carryforward
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward		$ 6,200,000		$ 6,200,000
Scenario, Forecast
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
U.S. federal corporate tax rate			21.00%

[1] Includes $0.6 million increase to the valuation allowance related to the remeasurement of deferred taxes due to the reduction in U.S. tax rate.

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Income Taxes - Summary of Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Foreign	$ 82,919	$ 33,611	$ 35,571
United States	21,431	31,118	2,364
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$ 104,350	$ 64,729	$ 37,935

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Income Taxes - Summary of Significant Components of the Income Tax Provision From Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current:
Federal	$ 1,693	$ 3,685	$ (876)
State	2,573	1,716	1,558
Foreign	15,583	8,177	9,342
Total current	19,849	13,578	10,024
Deferred:
Federal	19,893	8,427	1,854
State	1,761	(598)	(164)
Foreign	4,395	(157)	(1,221)
Total deferred	26,049	7,672	469
Income tax expense	$ 45,898	$ 21,250	$ 10,493

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Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract]
Computed income tax expense at statutory federal income tax rate of 35%		$ 36,522	$ 22,655	$ 13,277
State income taxes, net of federal benefit		1,160	292	1,713
Deemed mandatory repatriation state tax		1,206
Deemed mandatory repatriation federal tax, net of foreign tax credit		6,936
Decrease in tax expense	[1]	8,000
Foreign tax rate differential		(5,031)	(882)	(1,181)
U.S. tax on current year foreign earnings, net of foreign tax credits		(2,726)	(373)	(948)
Change in valuation allowance		(796)	1,230	(944)
Other adjustments, net		627	(1,672)	(1,424)
Income tax expense		$ 45,898	$ 21,250	$ 10,493
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent [Abstract]
Computed income tax expense at statutory federal income tax rate of 35%, tax rate		35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit, tax rate		1.10%	0.50%	4.50%
Deemed mandatory repatriation state tax rate		1.20%
Deemed mandatory repatriation federal tax, net of foreign tax credit, tax rate		6.60%
Decrease in tax percentage	[1]	7.70%
Foreign tax differentials rate		(4.80%)	(1.40%)	(3.10%)
U.S. tax on current year foreign earnings, net of foreign tax credits, tax rate		(2.60%)	(0.60%)	(2.50%)
Change in valuation allowance, tax rate		(0.80%)	1.90%	(2.50%)
Other adjustments, net, tax rate		0.60%	(2.60%)	(3.70%)
Income tax expense		44.00%	32.80%	27.70%

[1] Includes $0.6 million increase to the valuation allowance related to the remeasurement of deferred taxes due to the reduction in U.S. tax rate.

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Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Computed income tax expense at statutory federal income tax rate of 35%, tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Increase to valuation allowance related to remeasurement of deferred taxes due to reduction in U.S. tax rate	$ (796)	$ 1,230	$ (944)
U.S
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Increase to valuation allowance related to remeasurement of deferred taxes due to reduction in U.S. tax rate	$ 600

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Income Taxes - Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred tax assets:
Tax credit carryforwards	$ 6,654	$ 11,380
Pension, compensation, and other employee benefits	15,173	22,868
Provisions for losses	5,826	10,235
Net operating loss carryforward	5,195	5,023
State income taxes	2,502	3,790
Other deferred income tax assets	2,796	5,020
Total deferred tax assets	38,146	58,316
Valuation allowance	(4,010)	(3,998)
Foreign deferred tax assets included above	(2,396)	(1,972)
Net deferred tax assets	31,740	52,346
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	(10,530)	(3,299)
Deferred tax related to life insurance	(3,556)	(5,642)
Goodwill and other intangible assets	(4,299)	(4,535)
Other deferred income tax liabilities	(463)	(557)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(18,848)	(14,033)
Foreign deferred tax liabilities included above	7,869	2,852
United States net deferred tax assets	$ 20,761	$ 41,165

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Income Taxes - Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Beginning Balance	$ 2,195	$ 943	$ 1,919
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years	43	1,295	43
Reductions for tax positions taken in prior years			(666)
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes	(813)	(43)	(353)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	1,425	2,195	943
Continuing Operations
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Beginning Balance	1,559	307	1,283
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years	43	1,295	43
Reductions for tax positions taken in prior years			(666)
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes	(177)	(43)	(353)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	1,425	1,559	307
Discontinued Operations
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Beginning Balance	636	636	636
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years	0	0	0
Reductions for tax positions taken in prior years			0
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes	(636)	0	0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	$ 0	$ 636	$ 636

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) of Viad's Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Foreign Pension Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$ 530	$ 488	$ 503
Interest cost	492	488	505
Expected return on plan assets	(602)	(558)	(583)
Recognized net actuarial loss	155	162	160
Settlement	777
Net periodic benefit cost	1,352	580	585
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss (gain)	(106)	158	182
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss	(155)	(162)	(160)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(261)	(4)	22
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)	1,091	576	607
Pension Plans | Domestic Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	64	98	101
Interest cost	803	1,032	1,018
Expected return on plan assets	(176)	(256)	(380)
Recognized net actuarial loss	433	423	492
Net periodic benefit cost	1,124	1,297	1,231
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss (gain)	114	1	(963)
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss	(433)	(423)	(492)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(319)	(422)	(1,455)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)	805	875	(224)
Postretirement Benefit Plans | Domestic Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	92	99	152
Interest cost	413	573	619
Amortization of prior service credit	(431)	(503)	(552)
Recognized net actuarial loss	164	295	528
Net periodic benefit cost	238	464	747
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss (gain)	237	(790)	(1,248)
Prior service credit	816	73	3
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss	(164)	(295)	(528)
Prior service credit	431	503	552
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	1,320	(509)	(1,221)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 1,558	$ (45)	$ (474)

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Summary of Funded Status of the Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Domestic Plans
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$ 10,416
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	11,590	$ 10,416
Foreign Pension Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Service cost	530	488	$ 503
Interest cost	492	488	505
Actuarial adjustments	(106)	158	182
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	10,576
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	9,493	10,576
Foreign Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	10,488	9,744
Service cost	530	488
Interest cost	406	400
Actuarial adjustments	658	395
Benefits paid	(3,231)	(818)
Translation adjustment	670	279
Benefit obligation at end of year	9,521	10,488	9,744
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	10,576	9,705
Actual return on plan assets	764	617
Company contributions	710	795
Benefits paid	(3,231)	(818)
Translation adjustment	674	277
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	9,493	10,576	9,705
Funded status at end of year	(28)	88
Foreign Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	2,486	2,470
Interest cost	87	87
Actuarial adjustments	(54)	105
Benefits paid	(182)	(177)
Translation adjustment	245	1
Benefit obligation at end of year	2,582	2,486	2,470
Change in plan assets:
Company contributions	182	177
Benefits paid	(182)	(177)
Funded status at end of year	(2,582)	(2,486)
Pension Plans | Domestic Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Service cost	64	98	101
Interest cost	803	1,032	1,018
Actuarial adjustments	114	1	(963)
Pension Plans | Domestic Plans | Funded Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	15,027	14,906
Interest cost	492	629
Actuarial adjustments	618	240
Benefits paid	(697)	(748)
Benefit obligation at end of year	15,440	15,027	14,906
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	10,416	10,479
Actual return on plan assets	855	273
Company contributions	1,016	412
Benefits paid	(697)	(748)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	11,590	10,416	10,479
Funded status at end of year	(3,850)	(4,611)
Pension Plans | Domestic Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	9,825	10,049
Service cost	64	97
Interest cost	311	403
Actuarial adjustments	175	(221)
Benefits paid	(518)	(503)
Benefit obligation at end of year	9,857	9,825	10,049
Change in plan assets:
Company contributions	518	503
Benefits paid	(518)	(503)
Funded status at end of year	(9,857)	(9,825)
Postretirement Benefit Plans | Domestic Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	13,619	14,573
Service cost	92	99	152
Interest cost	413	573	619
Actuarial adjustments	237	(790)	(1,248)
Plan amendments	816	73
Benefits paid	(1,370)	(909)
Benefit obligation at end of year	13,807	13,619	$ 14,573
Change in plan assets:
Company contributions	1,370	909
Benefits paid	(1,370)	(909)
Funded status at end of year	$ (13,807)	$ (13,619)

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Net Amount Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Domestic Plans | Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	$ 3,850	$ 4,611
Domestic Plans | Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	9,857	9,825
Domestic Plans | Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	13,807	13,619
Foreign Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	28	(88)
Foreign Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	2,582	2,486
Non Current Assets | Foreign Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	(15)	(88)
Other current liabilities | Domestic Plans | Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	809	699
Other current liabilities | Domestic Plans | Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	1,112	1,094
Other current liabilities | Foreign Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	188	170
Non Current Liabilities | Domestic Plans | Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	3,850	4,611
Non Current Liabilities | Domestic Plans | Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	9,048	9,126
Non Current Liabilities | Domestic Plans | Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	12,695	12,525
Non Current Liabilities | Foreign Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	43
Non Current Liabilities | Foreign Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	$ 2,394	$ 2,316

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Amounts Recognized in AOCI (Details) - Domestic Plans - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax	$ 8,681	$ 9,090
Subtotal	8,681	9,090
Less tax effect	(3,292)	(3,447)
Total	5,389	5,643
Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax	2,587	2,496
Subtotal	2,587	2,496
Less tax effect	(981)	(947)
Total	1,606	1,549
Postretirement Benefit Plans
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax	2,784	2,710
Prior service credit	(351)	(1,598)
Subtotal	2,433	1,112
Less tax effect	(923)	(422)
Total	1,510	690
US Postretirement and Pension Plan
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax	14,052	14,296
Prior service credit	(351)	(1,598)
Subtotal	13,701	12,698
Less tax effect	(5,196)	(4,816)
Total	$ 8,505	$ 7,882

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assumed health care cost trend rate	7.50%	7.00%
Decrease in assumed health care cost trend rate	4.50%	4.50%
Effect of one percentage point increase on accumulated post retirement benefit obligation	$ 1.4
Effect of one percentage point increase in assumed health care cost trend rate on total service and interest cost components	0.1
Effect of one percentage point decrease in assumed health care cost trend rate on accumulated post retirement benefit obligation	1.1
Effect of one percentage point decrease in assumed health care cost trend rate on total service and interest cost components	$ 0.1
Maximum percentage of funding status of plans in red zone	65.00%
Maximum percentage of funding status of plans in yellow zone	80.00%
Maximum percentage of funding status of plans in green zone	80.00%
401(k) plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of employer matching contribution with employee gross pay	100.00%
Percentage of employer matching contribution match with 100 percent	3.00%
Percentage of employer matching contribution	50.00%
Percentage of employer matching contribution match with 50 percent	2.00%
Expense associated with other employee benefit plans	$ 4.2	$ 3.9	$ 3.7
Domestic Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated net actuarial loss for pension plans that is expected to be amortized	0.1
Domestic Plans | Funded Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated net actuarial loss for pension plans that is expected to be amortized	0.4
Foreign Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial losses for the foreign funded plans recognized in AOCI (before tax)	(2.5)	(3.3)
Net actuarial losses for the foreign funded plans recognized in AOCI (after tax)	(1.8)	(2.5)
Foreign Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial losses for the foreign unfunded plans recognized in AOCI (before tax)	(0.7)	(0.4)
Net actuarial losses for the foreign unfunded plans recognized in AOCI (after tax)	(0.5)	$ (0.3)
Postretirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amount expected to contribute in postretirement benefit plans	1.1
Postretirement Benefit Plans | Domestic Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated net actuarial loss for pension plans that is expected to be amortized	0.2
Estimated prior service credit for postretirement benefit plans	0.2
Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amount expected to contribute in unfunded pension plans	1.0
Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amount expected to contribute in funded pension plans	$ 1.1

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Fair Value of the Plans' Assets by Asset Class (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Domestic Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	$ 11,590	$ 10,416
Domestic Plans | Aggregate fixed income securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	5,787	5,352
Domestic Plans | Equity Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	5,390	4,580
Domestic Plans | Cash
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	214	280
Domestic Plans | Equity Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	199	204
Foreign Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	9,493	10,576
Foreign Pension Plans | Aggregate fixed income securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	4,414	4,082
Foreign Pension Plans | Equity Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	4,889	4,518
Foreign Pension Plans | Equity Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	190	1,976
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Domestic Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	11,391	10,212
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Domestic Plans | Aggregate fixed income securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	5,787	5,352
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Domestic Plans | Equity Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	5,390	4,580
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Domestic Plans | Cash
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	214	280
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Foreign Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	9,070	10,188
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Foreign Pension Plans | Aggregate fixed income securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	4,414	4,082
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Foreign Pension Plans | Equity Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	4,466	4,130
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Foreign Pension Plans | Equity Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	190	1,976
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Domestic Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	199	204
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Domestic Plans | Equity Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	199	204
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	423	388
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign Pension Plans | Equity Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	$ 423	$ 388

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Payments and Receipts Reflecting Expected Future Service (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Foreign Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Expected future service expected to be paid
2018	$ 365
2019	376
2020	378
2021	396
2022	496
2023-2027	2,499
Foreign Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Expected future service expected to be paid
2018	191
2019	190
2020	190
2021	190
2022	189
2023-2027	935
Pension Plans | Domestic Plans | Funded Plans
Expected future service expected to be paid
2018	1,434
2019	927
2020	997
2021	921
2022	990
2023-2027	4,859
Pension Plans | Domestic Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Expected future service expected to be paid
2018	823
2019	738
2020	740
2021	725
2022	709
2023-2027	3,259
Postretirement Benefit Plans | Domestic Plans
Expected future service expected to be paid
2018	1,132
2019	1,127
2020	1,100
2021	1,066
2022	1,039
2023-2027	$ 4,685

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Domestic Plans | Funded Plans
Accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation	$ 15,440	$ 15,027
Accumulated benefit obligation	15,440	15,027
Fair value of plan assets	11,590	10,416
Domestic Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation	9,857	9,825
Accumulated benefit obligation	9,826	9,737
Foreign Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation	9,521	10,488
Accumulated benefit obligation	8,819	9,906
Fair value of plan assets	9,493	10,576
Foreign Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation	2,582	2,486
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 2,582	$ 2,486

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Foreign Pension Plans
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations
Discount rate	3.15%	3.52%
Rate of compensation increase	2.26%	2.34%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.71%	3.77%
Expected return on plan assets	5.09%	4.53%
Rate of compensation increase	2.26%	2.34%
Pension Plans | Domestic Plans | Funded Plans
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations
Discount rate	3.63%	4.12%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.07%	4.33%
Expected return on plan assets	5.50%	2.25%
Pension Plans | Domestic Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations
Discount rate	3.55%	3.99%
Rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.99%	4.25%
Rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%
Postretirement Benefit Plans | Domestic Plans
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations
Discount rate	3.59%	4.08%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.08%	4.30%
Expected return on plan assets	0.00%	0.00%

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Multi-Employer Pension Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Multi-employer pension plans
Viad Contributions		$ 26,573	$ 25,772	$ 21,988
Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan
Multi-employer pension plans
EIN		916145047
Plan No:		001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Green	Green
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented		No
Viad Contributions		$ 7,809	$ 6,684	5,632
Surcharge Paid		No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date		Mar. 31, 2020
Southern California Local 831—Employer Pension Fund
Multi-employer pension plans
EIN	[1]	956376874
Plan No:	[1]	001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	[1]	Green	Green
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented	[1]	No
Viad Contributions	[1]	$ 3,087	$ 2,805	2,485
Surcharge Paid	[1]	No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date	[1]	Aug. 31, 2019
Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Pension Fund
Multi-employer pension plans
EIN		366130207
Plan No:		001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Green	Yellow
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented		Implemented
Viad Contributions		$ 2,390	$ 2,532	1,887
Surcharge Paid		No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date		May 31, 2019
IBEW Local Union No 357 Pension Plan A
Multi-employer pension plans
EIN		886023284
Plan No:		001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Green	Green
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented		No
Viad Contributions		$ 1,682	$ 1,402	1,150
Surcharge Paid		No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date		Jun. 16, 2018
Machinery Movers Riggers & Mach Erect Local 136 Supplemental Retirement Plan(1),
Multi-employer pension plans
EIN	[1]	361416355
Plan No:	[1]	011
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	[1]	Red	Red
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented	[1]	Implemented
Viad Contributions	[1]	$ 719	$ 1,203	502
Surcharge Paid	[1]	Yes
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date	[1]	Jun. 30, 2019
Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan
Multi-employer pension plans
EIN		366044243
Plan No:		001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Red	Red
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented		Implemented
Viad Contributions		$ 1,060	$ 1,151	948
Surcharge Paid		No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date		Dec. 31, 2018
Electrical Contractors Assoc. Chicago Local Union 134, IBEW Joint Pension Trust of Chicago Plan 2
Multi-employer pension plans
EIN		516030753
Plan No:		002
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Green	Green
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented		No
Viad Contributions		$ 1,099	$ 845	1,190
Surcharge Paid		No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date		Jun. 06, 2021
Southwest Carpenters Pension Trust
Multi-employer pension plans
EIN		956042875
Plan No:		001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Green	Green
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented		No
Viad Contributions		$ 883	$ 791	750
Surcharge Paid		No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date		Jun. 30, 2018
Southern California IBEW-NECA Pension Fund
Multi-employer pension plans
EIN		956392774
Plan No:		001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Yellow	Yellow
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented		Implemented
Viad Contributions		$ 905	$ 701	835
Surcharge Paid		Yes
New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension
Multi-employer pension plans
EIN		046372430
Plan No:		001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Red	Red
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented		Implemented
Viad Contributions		$ 772	$ 552	381
Surcharge Paid		No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date		Mar. 31, 2022
Sign Pictorial & Display Industry Pension Plan
Multi-employer pension plans
EIN	[1]	946278490
Plan No:	[1]	001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	[1]	Green	Green
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented	[1]	No
Viad Contributions	[1]	$ 654	$ 526	541
Surcharge Paid	[1]	No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date	[1]	Mar. 31, 2018
All other funds
Multi-employer pension plans
Viad Contributions	[2]	$ 2,900	3,585	4,259
Pension Plans
Multi-employer pension plans
Viad Contributions		23,960	22,777	20,560
Total contributions to other plans
Multi-employer pension plans
Viad Contributions		$ 2,613	$ 2,995	$ 1,428

[1] We contributed more than 5% of total plan contributions for the 2016 and 2015 plan years based on the plans’ Form 5500s.

[2] Represents participation in 35 pension funds during 2017.

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Multi-Employer Pension Plans (Parenthetical) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 PensionFund
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Percentage of excess employer contributions	5.00%
Aggregate number of funds	35

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Restructuring Charges - Changes to Restructuring Liability by Major Restructuring Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance				$ 3,782				$ 2,276	$ 3,782	$ 2,276	$ 1,944
Restructuring charges	$ 187	$ 255	$ 168	394	$ 1,519	$ 1,697	$ 975	992	1,004	5,183	2,956
Cash payments									(2,253)	(3,866)	(2,572)
Adjustment to liability									16	189	(52)
Ending balance	2,549				3,782				2,549	3,782	2,276
GES Consolidation | Severance & Employee Benefits
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance				2,274				751	2,274	751	543
Restructuring charges									442	3,693	1,767
Cash payments									(1,165)	(2,170)	(1,514)
Adjustment to liability											(45)
Ending balance	1,551				2,274				1,551	2,274	751
GES Consolidation | Facilities
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance				1,092				1,291	1,092	1,291	1,161
Restructuring charges									265	759	587
Cash payments									(550)	(1,150)	(457)
Adjustment to liability										192
Ending balance	807				1,092				807	1,092	1,291
Other Restructuring | Severance & Employee Benefits
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance				$ 416				$ 234	416	234	240
Restructuring charges									297	731	602
Cash payments									(538)	(546)	(601)
Adjustment to liability									16	(3)	(7)
Ending balance	$ 191				$ 416				$ 191	$ 416	$ 234

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Leases and Other - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Leases and Other (Textual) [Abstract]
Lease expiration period	40 years
Aggregate purchase obligation	$ 38.1

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Leases and Other - Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments and Related Sublease Rentals Receivable (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Future minimum rental payments and related sublease rentals receivable
Rental Payments, 2018	$ 23,503
Rental Payments, 2019	20,299
Rental Payments, 2020	17,265
Rental Payments, 2021	8,812
Rental Payments, 2022	5,555
Rental Payments, Thereafter	81,135
Rental Payments, Total	156,569
Receivable Under Subleases, 2018	2,627
Receivable Under Subleases, 2019	2,384
Receivable Under Subleases, 2020	2,209
Receivable Under Subleases, 2021	2,267
Receivable Under Subleases, 2022	2,195
Receivable Under Subleases, Thereafter	3,657
Receivable Under Subleases, Total	$ 15,339

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Leases and Other - Net Rent Expense Under Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net rent expense under operating leases
Minimum rentals	$ 56,575	$ 48,465	$ 41,564
Sublease rentals	(1,525)	(2,831)	(3,457)
Total rentals, net	$ 55,050	$ 45,634	$ 38,107

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Litigation, Claims, Contingencies and Other - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Agreement	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental remediation liability	$ 2,400,000
Maximum potential amount of future payments	$ 19,300,000
Guarantees relate to facilities leased by the company	2027-10
Recourse provision to recover guarantees	$ 0
Bargaining agreements | Agreement	100
Self insurance reserve	$ 19,100,000
Workers' compensation liability	13,800,000
Self insurance reserve for general and auto	5,300,000
Self insurance reserve on discontinued operations	2,900,000
Payments for self insurance	5,500,000	$ 5,000,000	$ 5,600,000
Self insurance reserve in which company is the primary obligor	10,400,000
Self insurance reserve in which company is the primary obligor for workers compensation	6,900,000
Self insurance reserve in which company is the primary obligor for general liability	3,500,000
Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
General range on claims	200,000
Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
General range on claims	$ 500,000

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Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest - Narrative (Details) - Esja Attractions ehf. - EUR (€)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Nov. 03, 2017
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Percentage of controlling interest acquired		54.50%
EBITDA trailing period	12 months
Put option right of exercisable period upon earnings	36 months
Redeemable noncontrolling interest conditions	The put option is only exercisable after 36 months of business operation (the “Reference Date”) and if the FlyOver Iceland attraction has earned a minimum of €3.25 million in unadjusted EBITDA during the most recent fiscal year and during the trailing 12-month period prior to exercise (the “Put Option Condition”). The put option is exercisable during a period of 12 months following the Reference Date (the “Option Period”) and if the Put Option Condition has been met. If the Put Option Condition has not been met during the first Option Period, the Reference Date will be extended for an additional 12 months up to three times. If after 72 months, the FlyOver Iceland attraction has not achieved the Put Option Condition, the put option expires. If the Put Option Condition is met during any of the Option Periods, yet the shares are not exercised prior to the end of the 12-month Option Period, the put option will expire.
Put option exercisable period	12 months
Put option additional exercisable period upon not meeting of conditions	12 months
FlyOver Iceland
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Put option expiration period	72 months
FlyOver Iceland | Minimum
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Unadjusted EBITDA	€ 3,250,000

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Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest - Summary of Changes in Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Redeemable noncontrolling interest related to 2017 acquisition	$ 6,735
Adjustment to the redemption value	(30)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(57)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$ 6,648

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Segment Information - Reconciliation of Income Statement Items from Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Total revenue		$ 277,285	$ 339,099	$ 364,774	$ 325,807	$ 256,396	$ 382,465	$ 324,747	$ 241,362	$ 1,306,965	$ 1,204,970	$ 1,089,048
Segment operating income		$ (7,698)	66,804	38,473	12,064	(6,015)	54,328	$ 30,332	$ (9,183)	84,241	74,863	44,864
Interest income										319	1,165	658
Interest expense										(8,304)	(5,898)	(4,535)
Impairment recoveries (charges)			$ 24,467	$ 2,247	$ 2,384	$ (98)	$ (120)			29,098	(218)	(96)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes										104,350	64,729	37,935
Pursuit
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Impairment recoveries (charges)											(200)	(100)
Operating Segments
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Segment operating income										97,051	85,928	54,584
Operating Segments | GES
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Total revenue										1,133,097	1,054,739	976,878
Segment operating income										49,969	50,223	26,774
Operating Segments | Pursuit
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Total revenue										173,868	153,364	112,170
Segment operating income										47,082	35,705	27,810
Restructuring recoveries (charges)										(86)	(171)	(200)
Impairment recoveries (charges)										29,098	(218)	(96)
Intersegment Eliminations | GES
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Total revenue										(21,769)	(20,172)	(16,638)
Corporate Eliminations
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Total revenue	[1]										(3,133)
Segment operating income	[1]									67	(743)
Corporate
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Segment operating income										(12,877)	(10,322)	(9,720)
Restructuring recoveries (charges)										(211)	(560)	(402)
U.S.
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Total revenue										913,210	855,304	726,436
U.S. | Operating Segments | GES
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Total revenue										872,154	826,408	720,882
Segment operating income										34,494	40,524	14,563
Restructuring recoveries (charges)										354	(2,893)	(541)
International | Operating Segments | GES
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Total revenue										282,712	248,503	272,634
Segment operating income										15,475	9,699	12,211
Restructuring recoveries (charges)										$ (1,061)	$ (1,559)	$ (1,813)

[1] Corporate eliminations during 2017 represent the elimination of depreciation expense recorded by Pursuit associated with previously eliminated intercompany profit realized by GES for renovations to Pursuit’s Banff Gondola. Corporate eliminations recorded during 2016 represent the elimination of intercompany revenue and profit realized by GES for work completed on renovations to Pursuit’s Banff Gondola.

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Segment Information - Reconciliation of Assets from Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reconciliation of assets from segment
Total Assets		$ 919,899	$ 869,816	$ 690,723
Total Depreciation and Amortization		55,114	42,743	35,231
Capital expenditures		56,621	49,815	29,839
GES | U.S.
Reconciliation of assets from segment
Total Assets		380,909	380,951	294,618
Total Depreciation and Amortization		29,088	21,473	18,658
Capital expenditures		17,337	14,291	8,066
GES | International
Reconciliation of assets from segment
Total Assets		135,917	109,705	115,494
Total Depreciation and Amortization		8,176	8,092	8,435
Capital expenditures		8,084	5,033	8,366
Pursuit
Reconciliation of assets from segment
Total Assets		350,256	301,941	195,527
Total Depreciation and Amortization		17,653	12,967	7,974
Capital expenditures		30,786	31,861	13,107
Corporate and other
Reconciliation of assets from segment
Total Assets		52,817	77,219	85,084
Total Depreciation and Amortization		197	211	164
Capital expenditures	[1]	$ 414	$ (1,370)	$ 300

[1] The 2016 amount includes an intercompany elimination for work completed by GES on renovations to Pursuit’s Banff Gondola.

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Segment Information - Financial Information by Major Geographic Area (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenue:
Total revenue	$ 277,285	$ 339,099	$ 364,774	$ 325,807	$ 256,396	$ 382,465	$ 324,747	$ 241,362	$ 1,306,965	$ 1,204,970	$ 1,089,048
Long-lived assets:
Total long-lived assets	353,083				324,155				353,083	324,155	226,870
United States
Revenue:
Total revenue									913,210	855,304	726,436
Long-lived assets:
Total long-lived assets	180,345				182,611				180,345	182,611	139,479
EMEA
Revenue:
Total revenue									209,824	205,028	220,046
Long-lived assets:
Total long-lived assets	43,630				37,083				43,630	37,083	15,714
Canada
Revenue:
Total revenue									183,931	144,638	142,566
Long-lived assets:
Total long-lived assets	$ 129,108				$ 104,461				$ 129,108	$ 104,461	$ 71,677

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Common Stock Repurchases - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Common Stock Repurchases (Textual) [Abstract]
Repurchased shares	0	0	141,462
Common stock purchased for treasury			$ 3.8
Shares remain available for repurchase	440,540
Repurchased shares tax withholding	41,532	25,432	35,649
Share repurchased relating to tax withholding requirements	$ 2.1	$ 0.7	$ 1.0

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Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) - Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenue:		$ 277,285	$ 339,099	$ 364,774	$ 325,807	$ 256,396	$ 382,465	$ 324,747	$ 241,362	$ 1,306,965	$ 1,204,970	$ 1,089,048
Operating income (loss):
Ongoing operations	[1]	(4,726)	47,066	39,402	12,684	(1,466)	58,917	34,014	(6,280)
Corporate activities		(2,785)	(4,474)	(3,008)	(2,610)	(2,932)	(2,772)	(2,707)	(1,911)
Restructuring charges		(187)	(255)	(168)	(394)	(1,519)	(1,697)	(975)	(992)	(1,004)	(5,183)	(2,956)
Impairment recoveries (charges)			24,467	2,247	2,384	(98)	(120)			29,098	(218)	(96)
Operating income (loss)		(7,698)	66,804	38,473	12,064	(6,015)	54,328	30,332	(9,183)	84,241	74,863	44,864
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Viad		(21,814)	44,758	27,438	7,593	(4,136)	34,013	19,873	(6,797)	58,452	43,479	27,442
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad		$ (21,674)	$ 44,657	$ 27,947	$ 6,777	$ (4,049)	$ 33,792	$ 19,509	$ (6,983)	$ 57,707	$ 42,269	$ 26,606
Basic and Diluted income (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations attributable to Viad	[2]	$ (1.08)	$ 2.19	$ 1.35	$ 0.37	$ (0.21)	$ 1.68	$ 0.98	$ (0.34)
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	[2]	$ (1.07)	$ 2.19	$ 1.37	$ 0.33	$ (0.20)	$ 1.67	$ 0.96	$ (0.35)

[1] Represents revenue less costs of services and cost of products sold.

[2] The sum of quarterly income per share amounts may not equal annual income per share due to rounding.

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Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowances for doubtful accounts
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of Year		$ 1,342	$ 1,593	$ 1,258
Additions Charged to Expense		2,470	1,355	955
Additions Charged to Other Accounts		49	41	574
Write Offs		(1,529)	(1,602)	(1,162)
Other	[1]	(309)	(45)	(32)
Balance at end of Year		2,023	1,342	1,593
Deferred tax valuation allowance
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of Year		3,998	2,837	3,295
Additions Charged to Expense		1,385	1,406
Additions Charged to Other Accounts				402
Write Offs		(1,595)	(176)	(860)
Other	[1]	222	(69)
Balance at end of Year		$ 4,010	$ 3,998	$ 2,837

[1] “Other” primarily includes foreign exchange translation adjustments.