10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020

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	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1.50 Par Value	VVI	New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights	__	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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files.)    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

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.

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate 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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.  ☒

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, 2020) was approximately $381.0 million.

Registrant had 20,464,515 shares of Common Stock ($1.50 par value) outstanding as of February 15, 2021.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

A portion of the Proxy Statement for the Viad Corp Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for May 14, 2021, is incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report.

INDEX

		Page
Part I
Item 1.	Business	2
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	12
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	16
Item 2.	Properties	16
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	16
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	16
Other.	Information about our Executive Officers	17
Part II
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	18
Item 6.	Reserved	19
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	20
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	32
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	34
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	84
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	84
Item 9B.	Other Information	86
Part III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	87
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	87
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	87
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	87
Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	87
Part IV
Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule	87
Item 16.	Form 10-K Summary	92

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

PART I

Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2020 Form 10-K”) contains a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this 2020 Form 10-K, including the following sections: “Business” (Part I, Item 1), “Risk Factors” (Part I, Item 1A), “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (Part II, Item 7), and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” (Part II, Item 7A). 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. Similarly, statements that describe our business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, initiatives, intentions, or goals also are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts and are subject to a host of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties, and other important factors include, among others: the short- and longer-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the demand for travel, event business and travel experiences, and levels of consumer confidence; actions that governments, businesses, and individuals take in response to the COVID-19 pandemic or any future resurgence, including limiting or banning travel; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, or any future resurgence, on global and regional economies, travel, and economic activity, including the duration and magnitude of its impact on unemployment rates and consumer discretionary spending; and the pace of recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic or any future resurgence.

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 following:

• the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our financial condition, liquidity, and cash flow;

• our ability to anticipate and adjust for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our businesses;

• general economic uncertainty in key global markets and a worsening of global economic conditions;

• travel industry disruptions;

• our ability to successfully integrate and achieve established financial and strategic goals from acquisitions;

• our dependence on large exhibition event clients;

• the importance of key members of our account teams to our business relationships;

• the competitive nature of the industries in which we operate;

• unanticipated delays and cost overruns of our capital projects, and our ability to achieve established financial and strategic goals for such projects;

• seasonality of our businesses;

• transportation disruptions and increases in transportation costs;

• natural disasters, weather conditions, and other catastrophic events;

• our multi-employer pension plan funding obligations;

• our exposure to labor cost increases and work stoppages related to unionized employees;

• liabilities relating to prior and discontinued operations;

• adverse effects of show rotation on our periodic results and operating margins;

• our exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations;

• our exposure to cybersecurity attacks and threats;

• compliance with laws governing the storage, collection, handling, and transfer of personal data and our exposure to legal claims and fines for data breaches or improper handling of such data; and

• changes affecting the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and the Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (“CDOR”).

For a more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may affect our business or financial results, refer to “Risk Factors” (Part I, Item 1A of this 2020 Form 10-K). We disclaim and do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this 2020 Form 10-K except as required by applicable law or regulation.

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Item 1. Business

We are a leading provider of experiential leisure travel and face-to-face events and marketing experiences company with operations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, continental Europe, the United Arab Emirates, and Iceland. We are committed to providing unforgettable experiences to our clients and guests.

We operate through three reportable business segments: GES North America, GES EMEA (collectively, “GES”), and Pursuit:

• GES is a global, full-service live events company offering a comprehensive range of services to the world’s leading brands and event organizers.

• Pursuit is an attractions and hospitality company that provides a collection of inspiring and unforgettable experiences in iconic destinations.

COVID-19 Pandemic

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a “pandemic.” COVID-19 has spread rapidly, with a high concentration of confirmed cases in the U.S. and other countries in which we operate. The rapid spread has resulted in authorities around the world implementing numerous measures to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders, social distancing, and business shutdowns. The COVID-19 pandemic and these containment measures have had, and are expected to continue to have, a substantial negative impact on businesses around the world and on global, regional, and national economies.

In early March 2020, we began to see event postponements and cancellations at GES, as well as cancelled bookings at Pursuit. This quickly escalated into the shutdown of event activity and tourism as government mandated closures and stay-at-home orders went more broadly into effect around the world. As demand halted, we essentially placed our businesses into a state of hibernation to preserve cash. As government mandated closures and stay-at-home orders started to be lifted, we began to restart our business with enhanced health and safety protocols in place. We phased in most of Pursuit’s attractions and lodging operations starting in May 2020, with most open during the second half of 2020, although generally at reduced capacities. However, exhibition and event activity remained largely dormant. As the pandemic persists, we have been and may be required to re-close certain attractions or events based on local or governmental restrictions.

The extent of the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on our operational and financial performance will depend on future developments including the duration, spread, and intensity of the virus as well as the success of vaccination efforts, all of which are uncertain and difficult to predict. Due to the evolving and uncertain nature of COVID-19, we are not able at this time to fully estimate the effect of these factors on our business; however, the adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and cash flows has been material. Refer to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Part II, Item 7 of this 2020 Form 10-K) for further discussion regarding the impact of COVID-19 on our 2020 financial results. Refer to Risk Factors (Part I. Item 1A of this 2020 Form 10-K) for a discussion of risks and uncertainties that may affect our business.

GES is a global, full-service provider for live events that partners with show organizers, exhibitors, and brand marketers to create high-value, face-to-face 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 registration, data analytics, engagement, and online tools powered by next generation technologies that help clients easily manage the complexities of their event.

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 has a leading position in the U.S., serving every major exhibition market, including Las Vegas, Chicago, and Orlando. Additionally, GES produces events at many of the most active and popular international event destinations and venues in the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and the Netherlands.

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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”).

• Exhibitions – Facilitates business-to-business and business-to-consumer sales and marketing.

• 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.

• Corporate Events – Facilitates attendee education of sponsoring company’s products or product ecosystem.

• Consumer Events – Entertains, educates, or creates an experience, typically around a specific genre. We made the decision to exit the consumer events market in 2020.

During 2020, many of our corporate clients transitioned to virtual and hybrid events largely as a result of face-to-face event cancellations and postponements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Services Offered

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

Core Services GES provides official contracting services and products to event organizers and corporate brand marketers, which are provided primarily to Exhibitions and Conferences and to a lesser extent to Corporate Events and Consumer Events. Under various agreements with Live Event organizers, GES has the exclusive right to provide certain contracting services to participating exhibitors. 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.

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

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Event Technology Event accommodation solutions: •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: •Registration and ticketing •Lead management •Reporting and analytics •Web-based enterprise-wide application •Software-as-a-service model or partial and fully managed options Event management tools: •Online ordering capabilities •Sponsorship management solutions •Content management systems •Live Event tracking

Audio-visual •Video production •Lighting design •Digital studio services •Entertainment services and talent coordination •Projection mapping •Computer rental and support

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. 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. During 2019, GES reported its highest revenue during second and fourth quarters. During 2020, exhibition and event activity was largely cancelled or postponed after mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 a privately-held, U.S.-headquartered company; however, there is substantial competition from a large number of service providers in GES’ other service offerings.

Transformation Strategy

GES recently made structural changes to transform and streamline efforts to significantly free up capital, reduce costs, and create a lower and more variable cost structure focused on servicing GES’ more profitable market segments. In 2020, GES exited 21 leased facilities across its warehouse and office network and sold its San Diego area production warehouse. As additional leases come to an end at other facilities, GES will continue to evaluate its physical presence and potentially find additional opportunities to improve its cost structure. Additionally, GES outsourced capital-intensive services by closing its United Kingdom-based audio-visual services business, which will now be serviced by third parties in the United Kingdom, and outsourced the management, cleaning, and storage of aisle carpet in the U.S. As GES anticipates the gradual return of face-to-face Live Events, the company has partnered with a third-party staffing agency to roll out an industry-wide Flex Talent Pool program. Through this program, GES can offer flexible and temporary work opportunities for exhibition professionals as business operations return, while managing its costs.

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Pursuit is an attractions and hospitality company that provides a collection of inspiring and unforgettable travel experiences in iconic destinations. From world-class attractions, distinctive lodges, and engaging tours in stunning national parks and renowned global travel locations, Pursuit’s elevated attraction and hospitality experiences enable visitors to discover and connect with these iconic destinations. With a strategic direction to build an expanding portfolio of extraordinary experiences, Pursuit remains focused on refreshing, improving, and growing its collection in outstanding places around the globe. Pursuit draws its guests from major markets, including the U.S., Canada, 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. Pursuit comprises the following collections:

Banff Jasper Collection	With over 120 years of history in Canada’s oldest national parks, the Banff Jasper Collection provides experiential travel experiences in the majestic Canadian Rockies. Featuring sun-swept lake cruises in Banff and Jasper National Parks, top-of-the-mountain views at the Banff Gondola, and glacier exploration at the toe of the Columbia Icefield, the collection offers visitors unique hotel experiences, attractions, culinary destinations, and retail offerings. The collection is also complemented by a robust sightseeing tour and transportation portfolio.
Alaska Collection	From the dramatic and rugged landscapes of Denali National Park to the glaciers, fjords and lush vegetation surrounding Kenai Fjords National Park, the Alaska Collection offers wilderness tours and glacier cruises complemented by unique lodging experiences across some of Alaska’s most recognizable interior and southcentral landscapes. From the port town of Seward, to the authentic mountain town of Talkeetna to the end of the road in Denali National Park, Pursuit offers a collection of unique attractions and hotels, complemented by culinary and retail services.
Glacier Park Collection	Located in and around two stunning national parks, the Glacier Park Collection features lodging, culinary and retail experiences and attractions designed to enable guests to experience both Montana and Southern Alberta’s stunning outdoors. The collection’s unique portfolio of lodging surrounding Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks also includes three historic lodges built by the Great Northern Railroad along with RV and rustic cabin stays.
FlyOver Attractions	Pursuit’s FlyOver flight ride attractions provide guests with an exhilarating flying experience over iconic natural wonders, hard to reach locations, and picturesque scenery. Utilizing state-of-the-art ride and audio-visual technology, each FlyOver experience features moving ride vehicles with six degrees of motion, multi-sensory special effects, and a spherical screen that provides guests with a flight across stunning landscapes. Special effects, including wind, mist and scents, combine with the ride’s motion to create an unforgettable visceral experience.
Sky Lagoon	Pursuit’s Sky Lagoon is an oceanfront geothermal lagoon located in Reykjavik, Iceland. It is a seven-step experience inspired by the traditions of Icelandic bathing culture. The sky lagoon is anticipated to open in the second quarter of 2021. It will feature an ocean-side infinity-edge in addition to cold pool and sauna experiences. It will also feature an in-lagoon bar, dining experiences and retail offerings.

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Pursuit’s collection of experiences focuses on four distinct lines of business. These include attractions, including food and beverage services and retail operations; hospitality, including food and beverage services and retail operations; transportation; and travel planning.

Attractions	Banff Jasper Collection
	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 was a 2020 Trip Advisor Travelers Choice award winner and the Sky Bistro restaurant, which is located at the top of the Banff Gondola, is currently #1 of 104 restaurants in Banff on Trip Advisor.
	Lake Minnewanka Cruise provides guests a unique sightseeing experience through interpretive boat cruises on Lake Minnewanka in the Canadian Rockies. The Lake Minnewanka Cruise operations are located adjacent to the town of Banff and include boat tours, small boat rentals, and charter fishing expeditions.
	Columbia Icefield Adventure is a tour of the Athabasca Glacier on the Columbia Icefield, and provides guests a view of 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.
	Columbia Icefield Skywalk is a 1,312-foot guided interpretive walkway with a 98-foot glass-floored observation area overlooking the Sunwapta Valley, near our Columbia Icefield Adventure attraction in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. Since opening in 2014, the Columbia Icefield Skywalk 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.
	Maligne Lake Cruise provides interpretive boat tours at Maligne Lake, the largest lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. In addition to boat tours, Maligne Lake has 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.

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Attractions	Open Top Touring is Pursuit’s newest attraction that opened in September 2020. Open Top Touring offers guests a guided scenic tour of Banff, including the Bow River, Tunnel Mountain, the Banff Center, and Mount Norquay. Guests ride in a vintage-style 1930s coach, which includes a fully open roof and a guide in period costume.
	Alaska Collection
	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 Alaskan salmon, prime rib, and Alaskan King Crab on Fox Island.
	Sky Lagoon
	Sky Lagoon is a 230-foot premium oceanfront geothermal lagoon. Located in Kársnes Harbour, Kópavogur, just minutes from Reykjavik’s vibrant city centre and iconic urban landmarks, the sky lagoon will showcase expansive ocean vistas punctuated by awe-inspiring sunsets, Northern Lights, and dark sky views. Development of the sky lagoon began in 2019 with the anticipated opening in the second quarter of 2021.
	FlyOver Attractions
	FlyOver flight ride attractions provide guests with an exhilarating flying experience over iconic natural wonders, hard to reach locations, and picturesque scenery. Utilizing state-of-the-art ride and audio-visual technology, each FlyOver experience features moving ride vehicles with six degrees of motion and multi-sensory special effects before a spherical screen.   •FlyOver Canada is located along Vancouver’s waterfront in the heart of downtown. •FlyOver Iceland is located in Reykjavik’s Grandi Harbour District •FlyOver Las Vegas is scheduled to open during the third quarter of 2021. It is located on Las Vegas Boulevard in Las Vegas, Nevada. •FlyOver Canada Toronto is scheduled to open near the end of 2023. It will be located at the base of the CN Tower in Toronto’s Entertainment District.

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Hospitality	Banff Jasper Collection
	•Elk + Avenue Hotel (164 rooms) •Mount Royal Hotel (133 rooms) •Glacier View Lodge (32 rooms) •Sawridge Inn & Conference Centre (152 rooms) •Lobstick Lodge (139 rooms) •Chateau Jasper Hotel (119 rooms) •Marmot Lodge (107 rooms) •The Crimson Hotel (99 rooms) •Pyramid Lake Resort (62 rooms) •Pocahontas Cabins (56 rooms)

Hospitality	Alaska Collection
	•Denali Backcountry Lodge (42 rooms) •Denali Cabins (46 rooms) •Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge (212 rooms) •Windsong Lodge (216 rooms) •Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge (8 rooms)
	Glacier Park Collection
	•Glacier Park Lodge (162 rooms) •Grouse Mountain Lodge (145 rooms) •St. Mary Lodge (116 rooms) •Prince of Wales Hotel (86 rooms) •Apgar Village Lodge (48 rooms) •West Glacier Motel & Cabins (32 rooms) •Glacier Basecamp Lodge (32 rooms) •Belton Chalet (27 rooms) •Motel Lake McDonald (27 rooms) •West Glacier RV Park & Cabins (20 rooms)

Transportation   The Banff Jasper Collection: 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 most scenic areas of Banff, Jasper, and Yoho 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.   Alaska Collection: Transportation includes a Denali Backcountry Adventure, which is a unique photo safari tour 92 miles deep into Denali National Park.  

  Travel Planning     The Banff Jasper Collection: Travel planning services include 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 Pursuit Adventure Centers, which help guests book their leisure activities in Banff and Jasper National Parks.   Alaska Collection: Travel planning services provide complete travel planning services throughout Alaska.

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Seasonality

Pursuit experiences peak activity during the summer months. During 2019, 85% of Pursuit’s revenue was earned in the second and third quarters. During 2020, we experienced lower visitation to Pursuit’s properties due to the COVID-19 pandemic as travel restrictions and border closures largely remained in place. To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, Pursuit’s year-round attractions (the Banff Gondola, FlyOver Canada, and FlyOver Iceland) and year-round lodging properties (Elk + Avenue Hotel, the Mount Royal Hotel, the Mountain Park Lodges, Grouse Mountain Lodge, and Glacier Basecamp Lodge) were closed temporarily starting in mid-March and remained closed during most of the second quarter of 2020. We phased in most of Pursuit’s attractions and lodging operations starting in May 2020 with the majority of properties open and operational during the third quarter of 2020, although at reduced capacities. We seasonally closed our non-year-round properties during the fourth quarter of 2020; however, temporary government mandated closures occurred at FlyOver Canada and FlyOver Iceland during the fourth quarter.

Competition

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

Growth Strategy

Pursuit’s growth strategy is to become a leading attractions hospitality company through its Refresh-Build-Buy initiatives:

• Refresh. Refreshing our existing assets and processes to optimize guest experience, market position, and maximize returns

• Build. Building new assets that create new guest experiences and additional revenue streams with economies of scale and scope

• Buy. Buying strategic assets that drive guest experience, economies of scale and scope, and improving financial performance

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

In order to mitigate the negative financial and operational impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we reduced all non-essential capital expenditures during most of 2020 resulting in the delay of the opening of FlyOver Canada Toronto, which is now anticipated to open near the end of 2023. We resumed important growth investments in September of 2020, and we now anticipate opening the Sky Lagoon in the second quarter of 2021 and FlyOver Las Vegas in the third quarter of 2021.

In January 2020, we purchased the Glacier Basecamp Lodge, which is located in Columbia Falls, Montana just 15 miles from the west entrance to Glacier National Park and includes 32 rooms and cabins.

In September 2020, we opened Pursuit’s newest attraction, Open Top Touring. It is a guided scenic tour of Banff in Alberta, Canada and guests ride in a fully open roof of a vintage-style 1930s coach.

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 that 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 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.

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Our Trademarks

Our U.S. registered trademarks and trademarks pending registration include Global Experience Specialists & design®, GES®, GES Servicenter®, GES National Servicenter®, GES MarketWorks®, GES Measurement & Insight®, GES Project Central, The Art and Science of Engagement®, Trade Show Rigging TSR®, TSE Trade Show Electrical & design®, Earth Explorers®, Compass Direct®, ethnoMetrics®, eXPRESSO®, FIT®, ON Services, a GES Company & design®, ON Site Audio Visual & design®, FLYOVER® & design, FLYOVER Canada & design®, FLYOVER Iceland & design®, eco-sense®, ONPEAK®, Mount Royal, Above Banff®, Alaska Denali Travel®, Alaska Denali Escapes®, Alaska Heritage Tours®, by Pursuit, Kenai Fjords Tours & design®, Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge® & design, Seward Windsong Lodge & design®, Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge®, Explore Rockies®, Denali Backcountry Adventure®, Denali Backcountry Lodge®, and Denali Cabins & design®.

We also own or have the right to use many registered trademarks and trademarks pending registration outside of the U.S., including GES®, ShowTech®, Poken®, Visit®, Visit by GES®, Blitz, a GES Company & design®, Brewster Inc. & design®, Brewster Attractions Explore & design®, Brewster Hospitality Refresh & design®, Glacier Skywalk®, Above Banff®, Explore Rockies®, FLYOVER & design®, FLYOVER ICELAND & design, FLYOVER Canada & design, GES Event Intelligence AG®, Pursuit®, by Pursuit®, Ský Lagoon®, Soaring Over Canada®, Elk + Avenue Hotel®, Brewster Epic Summer Pass®, and escape.connect.refresh.explore®.

Government Regulation and Compliance

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), our 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), 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), and U.S. and Canadian regulations relating to boating (such as regulations implemented by the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard and state boating laws).

Our current and former businesses are subject to federal and state environmental regulations. Compliance with these provisions, and environmental stewardship generally, is key to our ongoing operations. To date, these provisions have not had, and we do not expect them to have, a material effect on our results of current and discontinued operations.

On July 18, 2020, an off-road Ice Explorer operated by our Pursuit business was involved in an accident while enroute to the Athabasca Glacier, resulting in three fatalities and multiple other serious injuries. We continue to support the victims and their families, and we are fully cooperating with the applicable regulatory authorities to investigate this accident.

Human Capital

Our business strategy focuses on providing superior experiential services to our customers to generate financial results that create attractive returns on invested capital to our shareholders. We employ the highest quality individuals who embody our values, provide innovative leadership, and deliver superior guest experiences and client services. We are committed to providing great places to work that are diverse and inclusive, creating safe and environmentally conscious experiential services, and giving back to our communities.

We had the following number of employees as of December 31, 2020:

	Number of Employees (1)
GES		828
Pursuit		836
Viad Corporate		33
Total		1,697

⁽¹⁾ Includes 104 employees covered by collective bargaining agreements and excludes seasonal or temporary employees. The employees covered by collective bargaining agreements are largely used to staff our shows, events, and production facilities pursuant to business demands. We believe that relations with our employees are good and that collective bargaining agreements expiring in 2021 will be renegotiated in the ordinary course of business without adverse effects on our operations.

GES hires temporary employees on a show-by-show basis, including operations and exhibitor service positions. The number of temporary employees fluctuates depending on the size and location of the exhibition or event. Pursuit hires approximately 2,000 seasonal employees, or 70% of its total workforce, during the peak summer months to help operate its attractions and hospitality properties.

We are governed by a Board of Directors comprising eight non-employee directors and one employee director, and we have an executive management team with five executive officers.

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Safety and well-being:

The safety and well-being of team members and guests is a leading core value. We believe that maintaining strong standards of health and safety improves employee productivity and operational efficiency and enhances employee well-being. Our employees have a responsibility to maintain a safe and healthy work environment. We take prompt action to correct unsafe or hazardous conditions; we promptly report work-related accidents and injuries in accordance with established procedures; we follow all established work rules related to safety; we ensure that our workers understand the risks, know how to handle hazardous products safely, and are familiar with available information for all hazardous materials used. In response to mitigating the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we implemented enhanced health and safety protocols including employees working from home and additional safety measures for employees continuing critical on-site work. Our Experience Modification Rating assigned by the National Council on Compensation Insurance was 0.77 as of December 31, 2020 and 0.87 as of December 31, 2019, which is considered a rating of better than average.

Compliance and Ethics

As leaders in the live event and adventure travel industries, we uphold and are dedicated to being a responsible corporate citizen and a good steward of our environment. This is reinforced every day in our businesses through our Always Honest Compliance and Ethics Program. Our Always Honest Program was established in 1994 and is our guide to operating with integrity. The Always Honest Program guides our employees in conducting themselves on behalf of the Company, with each other, and with everyone the Company partners with. It guides employees to act honestly, ethically, and always in compliance with the law. We believe that maintaining a culture of high ethical standards gives us a distinct advantage in recruiting and retaining top talent, driving the best value for our customers, and attracting shareholders. 

Community involvement:

Giving back to the community is very important to us. We are committed to making a positive impact within the communities we serve through educational programs such as GES’ Exhibition Sponsorships, volunteer services, and environmental/economic sustainable efforts in the community. Many of our offices pull together to volunteer and support local and national organizations. For example, Pursuit was the first corporate donor to Banff Canmore Community Foundation’s “Funding the Future” campaign reinforcing our commitment to the Bow Valley community. Also, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the temporary closure of Pursuit’s operations, Pursuit quickly developed an at-cost, ready-made meal program for its staff and community members in Banff and Jasper. Led by Pursuit’s food and beverage team and staffed by volunteers from across its operations, more than 20,000 takeaway meals were served to the communities.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion:

Our team includes people from different backgrounds, all of whom contribute to our continued success. We do not discriminate against employees or applicants based on race, color, age, disability, ethnicity, citizenship, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, genetics or genetic information, or any other categories protected by law. Our emphasis on equality permeates throughout the organization and helps drive our success. For example, Pursuit conducted its first diversity, equity, and inclusion survey in 2020. Pursuit’s Promise to People census was designed to help us understand, recognize, and respect the diversity we have within our team. The key learnings from this voluntary survey are shaping our training and development plans for 2021 and beyond.

Rewards and Performance Management:

Beyond a competitive salary, we offer a range of healthcare benefits to full-time employees, their spouses, and dependents. We encourage our employees to grow professionally, with perks like tuition reimbursement, ongoing training, and internal career opportunities. We utilize a Performance Management Cycle, which provides a framework of six continuous steps designed to maximize performance and cultivate talent consisting of: SMART Goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic/Relevant, and Time-bound); Coaching and Recognition; Learning and Development; Quarterly Checkpoints; Annual Performance Appraisal; and Performance and Rewards Alignment. Salary increases are based on merit. Short- and long-term incentive compensation for senior managers and executives is based on the Company’s and/or stock performance.

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 furnish it to, the SEC. The information contained on our website is neither a part of, nor incorporated by reference into, this 2020 Form 10-K.

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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.

Macroeconomic Risks

The COVID-19 pandemic and related responsive actions have adversely affected our financial condition, liquidity, and cash flow, and may continue to do so in the future. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of many of our events and the temporary closure of substantially all of our attractions, hotels, and other operations. The substantial reduction in our operations has and will result in near-term losses and negative cash flow from operations. The full impact of the pandemic on our longer-term operational and financial performance is highly uncertain and will depend on future developments that we cannot predict, including the duration and spread of the pandemic, any future resurgences of COVID-19, and related social-distancing orders, travel restrictions, and/or government limitations on group gatherings. Our GES business depends on exhibitions, conferences, and other live events and the size of marketing expenditures relating to those events. The continuation of government orders prohibiting large group gatherings will continue to significantly and adversely affect our revenue and results of operations. Even if exhibitions or other live events do occur, we also could 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, and people may be unwilling to attend large group events.

In addition, the attractions and hospitality operations within our Pursuit business may be subject to government closure orders designed to limit the spread of COVID-19, which adversely affects our profitability and cash flow. Future revenue from our Pursuit operations will depend on any further spread of the virus, our ability to keep our operations open, the willingness of people to travel to our locations, and the amount of disposable income that consumers have available for travel and vacations, which decreases during periods of weak general economic conditions. Both our GES and Pursuit businesses may also experience increased costs in order to supply our customers or guests with personal protection equipment, conduct comprehensive cleaning regimens, and other measures that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers, guests, and/or event participants. Even with additional personal protection measures in place, there can be no assurance that employees, customers, guests, and/or event participants will not contract COVID-19. Any such occurrence could result in litigation, legal costs, and reputational risk. The potential adverse COVID-19 impacts to our businesses could have a correspondingly negative effect on our overall liquidity. Our revolving credit facility contains a minimum liquidity requirement that requires us to maintain a minimum level of cash and cash equivalents plus available debt capacity. If we are unable to maintain compliance with this minimum liquidity requirement, our lenders may exercise remedies against us, including the acceleration of our outstanding indebtedness. A prolonged recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic or a resurgence in cases of COVID-19 could further materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our businesses will face new challenges presented by the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the direct economic impacts of the pandemic, it is clear that as our businesses recover, they will be operating in new environments in light of societal, regulatory, and industry changes that have occurred since March 2020. Our ability to adjust to these changes and deliver expected business results may be hampered by ongoing uncertainty presented by the pandemic in terms of proper safety protocols, social norms, and a potential of uneven demand for our services. In addition, our ability to deliver such services and otherwise execute against our recovery and growth strategies may be impacted by the extreme reduction of our workforce over the past year and the resulting loss of knowledge of and experience in our businesses. Moreover, our go-forward strategy includes a heightened use of temporary employees in the delivery of our services, and while those employees will likely include those who were previously employed by us on a full-time basis, the level of execution may not be consistent with previous performance. Taken together, our ability to anticipate and adjust to these changes and new conditions may lead to additional costs, which may materially and adversely impact our business and results of operations.

We are vulnerable to deterioration in general economic conditions. Our business is particularly sensitive to fluctuations in general economic conditions in the U.S. and other global markets in which we operate, including as a result of the economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The success of our GES business largely depends on the number of exhibitions or other live events held, the size of marketing expenditures at those events, and on the strength of particular industries that support those events. The number and size of exhibitions generally decrease when the economy weakens, which our business has experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We also could suffer from reduced spending for our services because many live event marketing budgets are partly discretionary and are frequently among the first expenditures reduced when economic conditions deteriorate. In addition, revenue from our Pursuit operations depends largely on the amount of disposable income that consumers have available for travel and vacations, which decreases during periods of weak general economic conditions. As a result, any deterioration in general economic conditions could further materially and adversely affect our business, product sales, financial condition, and 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, event attendees, tourists, 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, health epidemics and pandemics, airline accidents, acts of terrorism, and international political instability and hostilities. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing orders resulted in severe global travel restrictions, mandatory shutdowns of event venues, hotels, attractions and other operations, and limitations on large gatherings of people. These circumstances had severe effects on our businesses. The occurrence of additional disruptions, a prolonged recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic or a spike or resurgence in cases of COVID-19, or other unexpected events that affect the availability and pricing of air travel and accommodations, could further 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.

Natural disasters, weather conditions, accidents, and other catastrophic events could negatively affect our business. The occurrence of catastrophic events ranging from natural disasters (such as hurricanes, fires, floods, and earthquakes), acts of war or terrorism, accidents involving our travel offerings or experiences, the effects of climate change, including any impact of global warming, or the prospect of these events could disrupt our business. Changes in climates may increase the frequency and intensity of adverse weather patterns and make certain destinations less desirable.

Such catastrophic events have, and could have, an adverse impact on Pursuit, which is heavily dependent on the ability and willingness of its guests to travel and/or visit our attractions. 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 and heightened travel security measures instituted in response to such events could impede the guests’ ability to travel, and interrupt our business operations, including damaging our properties. For example, the accident on July 18, 2020, at Pursuit’s Columbia Icefield attraction, which involved one of our off-road Ice Explorers and resulted in three fatalities and other serious injuries, may have a negative impact on our reputation and traveler willingness to visit that attraction in the future. We continue to support the victims and their families, and we are fully cooperating with applicable regulatory authorities to investigate the accident. This accident has affected the results of operations of Pursuit, and future developments relating to that incident could continue to impact us negatively.

Such catastrophic events could also have a negative impact on GES, causing 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 events could also have a negative impact on GES’ production facilities, preventing us from timely completing exhibit fabrication and other projects for customers. In addition, unfavorable media attention, or negative publicity, in the wake of any catastrophic event or accident 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.

Strategic, Business, and Operational Risks

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 the integration of operations; and retain the acquired business’s key personnel and customers. Moreover, our acquisition activity may subject us to new regulatory requirements, distract our senior management and employees, and expose us to unknown liabilities or contingencies that we may fail to identify prior to closing. If we are forced to make changes to our business strategy or if external conditions adversely affect our business operations, including the duration and impact of COVID-19, we may be required to record additional future impairment charges, as we did in the first and second quarters of 2020. Additionally, we may borrow funds to finance strategic acquisitions. Debt leverage resulting from future acquisitions would reduce our debt capacity, increase our interest expense, and limit our ability to capitalize on future business opportunities. Such borrowings may also be subject to fluctuations in interest rates. 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. 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 and adversely affected.

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Moreover, when event organizers hire GES as the official services contractor, they usually also grant GES an exclusive right to perform material handling, electrical, rigging, and other services at the exhibition facility. However, some exhibition facilities have taken certain steps to in-source certain 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 or reduced demand for exhibition space. If exhibition facilities choose to in-source certain event services, GES will lose the ability to provide certain event services, and our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We operate in highly competitive and dynamic industries. Competition in the Live Events markets is driven by price and service quality, among other factors. To the extent competitors seek to gain or retain market presence through aggressive underpricing strategies, we may be required to lower our prices and rates to avoid the loss of related business. Moreover, customer consolidations and other actions have caused downward pricing pressure for our products and services and could affect our ability to negotiate favorable terms with our customers. If we are unable to anticipate and respond as effectively as our competitors to changing business conditions, including new technologies and business models, we could lose market share. Our inability to meet the challenges presented by the competitive and dynamic environment of our industry could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

New capital projects may not be commercially successful. From time to time, we pursue capital projects, such as our current construction of FlyOver Las Vegas, FlyOver Canada Toronto, the Sky Lagoon, and other efforts to upgrade some of our Pursuit offerings, in order to 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 project-specific risks. For example, we recently had to delay FlyOver Canada Toronto due to poor market conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and a need to preserve capital. Some of our other capital projects, such as Sky Lagoon and FlyOver Las Vegas, have also been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Sky Lagoon and FlyOver Las Vegas are on track to open in 2021, and FlyOver Canada Toronto’s opening is planned for 2023, these attractions may be further delayed by market conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A prolonged delay in these capital projects, or our failure to accurately predict the revenue or profit that will be generated from these projects, could prevent them from performing in accordance with our commercial expectations and could materially and adversely affect our future success, business, and results of operations.

The seasonality of our business makes us particularly sensitive to adverse events during peak periods. The peak activity for our Pursuit business is during the summer months, as the vast majority of Pursuit’s revenue is earned in the second and third quarters. 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. If adverse events or conditions occur during these peak periods, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or natural disasters such as forest fires, our results of operations could continue to be materially and adversely affected.

Liabilities relating to prior and discontinued operations may adversely affect our results of operations. We and our predecessors have a corporate history spanning decades and involving diverse businesses. Some of those businesses owned properties and 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 properties and subsidiaries, or obligations under defined benefit plans or other employee plans, as well as claims from past operations of predecessors or their subsidiaries. Although we believe we have adequate reserves and sufficient insurance coverage to cover those potential liabilities, future events or proceedings could render our reserves or insurance protections inadequate, any of which 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, three, or four years) or may be held at different times of the 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.

We are subject to currency exchange rate fluctuations. We have operations outside of the U.S. primarily in Canada, the United Kingdom, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Germany. During 2020 and 2019, GES EMEA, GES Canada, and Pursuit’s international operations accounted for approximately 30% and 33% of our consolidated revenue, respectively, and 36% and 66% of our segment operating income and loss, respectively. Consequently, a significant portion of our business is exposed to currency exchange rate fluctuations. We do not currently hedge equity risk arising from the translation of non-U.S. denominated assets and liabilities. 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. We also have certain loans in currencies other than the entity’s functional currency, which results in gains or losses as exchange rates

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fluctuate. 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 and could adversely affect our results of operations.

Changes affecting the availability of the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and the Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (“CDOR”) or increases in interest rates may have consequences for us that cannot yet be reasonably predicted. We have outstanding debt with variable interest rates based on LIBOR and CDOR. Borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility are indexed to the prime rate or LIBOR, plus appropriate spreads tied to our leverage ratio. The LIBOR benchmark has been the subject of national, international, and other regulatory guidance and proposals to reform. In July 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (the authority that regulates LIBOR) announced that it intends to stop compelling banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. These reforms may cause LIBOR to perform differently than in the past and LIBOR may ultimately cease to exist after 2021.

However, on November 30, 2020, the ICE Benchmark Administration, the administrator of LIBOR, announced plans to consult on ceasing publication of U.S. dollar LIBOR tenors on December 31, 2021 for only the one-week and two-month U.S. dollar LIBOR tenors, and on June 30, 2023 for all other U.S. dollar LIBOR tenors. In 2017, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee announced that the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), a broad measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight collateralized by Treasury securities, as its preferred alternative to LIBOR. In November 2020, Refinitiv, the administrator of the CDOR, announced that it will abandon the six-month and 12-month CDOR tenors effective May 17, 2021. All other CDOR tenors will be available for the foreseeable future. The Canadian Alternative Reference Rate Committee is promoting the use of the Canadian Overnight Repo Rate Average (“CORRA”) as the preferred alternative to the CDOR. Our 2018 Credit Facility includes a method for determining an alternative or successor rate of interest that gives consideration to the new prevailing market convention. The alternative rate could affect our debt and debt payments. At this time, it is not possible to predict the effect of any changes to LIBOR or CDOR, any phase out of LIBOR or CDOR or any establishment of alternative benchmark rates. Any new benchmark rate will likely not replicate LIBOR or CDOR exactly, which could impact our contracts which terminate after 2021. There is uncertainty about how applicable law, the courts, or the Company will address the replacement of LIBOR or CDOR with alternative rates. When U.S. LIBOR ceases to exist after June 30, 2023, the interest rates under our revolving credit facility and the discount rates we apply to finance lease obligations will be based on the alternative rate, which may result in higher interest rates and debt obligations. In addition, any increases to our benchmark interest rates could have an uncertain impact on our cost of funds and our access to the capital markets, which could impact our results of operations and cash flows. Uncertainty as to the nature of such potential changes may also adversely affect the trading market for our securities.

Labor and Employment Risks

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 teams must be able to understand clients’ desires and expectations in order to provide top-quality service. If we are unable to maintain our client relationships, including due to the loss of key members of our account teams, we could also lose customers and our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

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. In addition, we are obligated to contribute to multi-employer pension plans under collective bargaining agreements covering our union-represented employees. We contributed $8.6 million in 2020, $27.3 million in 2019, and $26.4 million in 2018 to those multi-employer pension plans. Third-party boards of trustees manage these multi-employer plans. 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. In 2019, we withdrew from the underfunded Central States Pension Plan and accordingly, we recorded a charge of $15.5 million, which represents the estimated present value of future contributions we will be required to make as a result of the union’s withdrawal. At this time, we do not anticipate triggering any significant withdrawal from any other multi-employer pension plan to which we currently contribute. However, significant plan contribution increases could materially and adversely affect our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. Refer to Note 18 – Pension and Postretirement Benefits of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2020 Form 10-K) for further information.

Union-represented labor increases our risk of higher labor costs and work stoppages. Significant portions 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.

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Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Risks

We are vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks and threats. We regularly collect and process credit, financial, and other personal 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 materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

Laws and regulations relating to the handling of personal data are evolving and could result in increased costs, legal claims, or fines. We store and process the personally identifiable information of our customers, employees, and third parties with whom we have business relationships. The legal requirements restricting the way we store, collect, handle, and transfer personal data continue to evolve, and there are an increasing number of authorities issuing privacy laws and regulations. These data privacy laws and regulations are subject to differing interpretations, creating uncertainty and inconsistency across jurisdictions. Our compliance with these myriad requirements could involve making changes in our services, business practices, or internal systems, any of which could increase our costs, lower revenue, or reduce efficiency. 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. In addition, the costs of maintaining adequate protection, including insurance protection against such threats, as they develop in the future (or as legal requirements related to data security increase) are expected to increase and could be material. Any of these risks could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

We lease our corporate headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. Our other principal properties are owned or leased by GES and Pursuit.

GES primarily leases its properties, both domestically and internationally. GES properties consist of offices and multi-use facilities. 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 in the U.S. and approximately 136,000 square feet in the United Kingdom.

Pursuit primarily owns its properties, both domestically and internationally, and leases its properties related to the FlyOver attractions. Pursuit’s properties mainly include attractions, hotels and lodges, retail stores, and offices. Properties located in Canada and Iceland are subject to multiple long-term ground leases with their respective governments. For further information on Pursuit’s attractions and hospitality assets, refer to the Business Section (Part I, Item 1 of this 2020 Form 10-K).

We believe our owned and leased properties 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 12 – Debt and Finance Lease Obligations and Note 20 – Leases and Other of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2020 Form 10-K).

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

Refer to Note 21 – Litigation, Claims, Contingencies, and Other of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2020 Form 10-K) for information regarding legal proceedings in which we are involved, which information is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

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Other. Information about our executive Officers

Our executive officers as of the date of this 2020 Form 10-K were as follows:

Name	Age	Business Experience During the Past Five Years and Other Information
Steven W. Moster	51	President and Chief Executive Officer of Viad since 2014; President of GES from November 2010 to February 2019; prior thereto, held various executive management roles within the GES organization, including Executive Vice President-Chief Sales & Marketing Officer from 2008 to February 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 global management consulting firm, from 2000 to 2004. Mr. Moster is a director of Cavco Industries, Inc (NASDAQ: CVCO), which designs and produces factory-built housing products, and serves as the Chair of the Compensation Committee.
Ellen M. Ingersoll	56	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, since January 2000; and prior thereto, Vice President and Controller of Franchise Finance Corporation of America, a real estate investment trust, from 1992 to 2000.
David W. Barry	58	President of Pursuit since June 2015; prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and President of Trust Company of America, an independent registered investment adviser custodian, from 2011 to June 2015; prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Alpine/CMH, a helicopter skiing company, from 2007 to 2011; and prior thereto, Chief Operating Officer for all U.S. resort operations of Intrawest Corporation (formerly NYSE: IDR) (now Alterra Mountain Company) a North American mountain resort and adventure company, from 2004 to 2007.
Derek P. Linde	45	General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since 2018; prior thereto, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Secretary at Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW), a diversified manufacturer of specialized industrial equipment, from 2014 to 2018, and Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary from 2011 to 2014; prior thereto, a partner at the law firm of Winston & Strawn LLP, from 2008 to 2011, and an Associate from 2000 to 2008.
Leslie S. Striedel	58	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 firearms manufacturer, from 2010 to 2013; prior thereto, Vice President of Finance, Director of Financial Reporting and Compliance, and Corporate Controller of White Electronics Designs Corp. (formerly NASDAQ: WEDC) (now a subsidiary of Microsemi Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Microchip Technology Inc.), a circuits and semiconductors manufacturer, from 2004 to 2010; prior thereto, Corporate Controller of MD Helicopters, an international helicopter manufacturer, from 2002 to 2004; prior thereto, Corporate Controller of Fluke Networks (formerly Microtest, Inc. NASDAQ: MTST), a manufacturing and technology company, from 1999 to 2002; and prior thereto, Senior Tax Manager for KPMG LLP, a global firm providing audit, tax, and advisory services, from 1998 to 1999.

Our executive officers’ term of office is until our next Board of Directors annual organization meeting to be held on May 14, 2021.

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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.

Holders

As of February 15, 2021, there were 4,772 shareholders of record of our common stock, including 154 shareholders that had not converted their shares following a reverse stock split effective on July 1, 2004.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
October 1, 2020 - October 31, 2020		—	$	—		—		546,283
November 1, 2020 - November 30, 2020		202	$	25.83		—		546,283
December 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020		104	$	33.78		—		546,283
Total		306	$	28.53		—		546,283

Pursuant to previously announced authorizations, our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices. Effective February 7, 2019, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 500,000 shares. No shares were repurchased on the open market during the three months ended December 31, 2020. The Board of Directors’ authorization does not have an expiration date. During the fourth quarter of 2020, 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. In March 2020, our Board of Directors suspended future dividend payments and our share repurchase program for the foreseeable future.

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Performance Graph

The following graph compares the change in the cumulative total shareholder return, from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2020, on our common stock, the Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure, 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, 2015.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		2020
Viad Corp	$	100.00	$	158.03	$	200.12	$	182.30	$	247.23	$	132.92
S&P 500	$	100.00	$	111.95	$	136.38	$	130.39	$	171.44	$	202.96
Russell 2000	$	100.00	$	121.28	$	139.02	$	123.69	$	155.21	$	186.15
S&P SmallCap 600	$	100.00	$	126.46	$	143.09	$	130.90	$	160.66	$	178.72
S&P SmallCap 600 Comm. Services & Supplies	$	100.00	$	127.65	$	136.69	$	122.42	$	151.17	$	132.88
S&P SmallCap 600 Media	$	100.00	$	89.72	$	103.42	$	120.86	$	129.77	$	122.84
S&P SmallCap 600 Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure	$	100.00	$	127.16	$	174.05	$	183.47	$	202.64	$	257.00

Item 6. RESERVED

Not applicable.

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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 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 2020 Form 10-K.

Overview

We are a leading provider of experiential leisure travel and face-to-face events and marketing experiences company with operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, continental Europe, the United Arab Emirates, and Iceland. We are committed to providing unforgettable experiences to our clients and guests. We operate through three reportable business segments: GES North America, GES EMEA (collectively, “GES”), and Pursuit.

Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is having and will likely continue to have a significant and negative impact on our operations and financial performance, with live events largely shut down and tourism activity significantly disrupted. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented aggressive cost reduction measures to preserve cash, including furloughs, layoffs, mandatory unpaid time off, or salary reductions for all employees, and the reduction of discretionary spending. We also suspended future dividend payments and share repurchases, and we availed ourselves of governmental assistance programs for wages and tax relief. As event activity essentially halted, GES partnered with other members in the event trade business to convert convention centers into temporary hospitals in early April 2020. GES also completed virtual and hybrid events during the second half of 2020. We continue to implement measures to successfully adapt for the long-term impact of COVID-19. In August 2020, we secured additional capital to strengthen our liquidity position by entering into an investment agreement with funds managed by private equity firm Crestview Partners who made an initial investment of $135 million, offset in part by $9.2 million in fees, in newly issued perpetual convertible preferred stock. Refer to Note 15 – Common and Preferred Stock of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2020 Form 10-K) for further information. In August 2020, we also amended our Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2018 Credit Agreement”) to provide financial flexibility, which, among other things waives our financial covenants until September 30, 2022. Refer to Note 12 – Debt and Finance Lease Obligations of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2020 Form 10-K) for further information.

Due to the deteriorating macroeconomic environment related to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in disruptions to our operations and the decline in our stock price, we determined interim triggering events occurred in the first and second quarters of 2020, which required us to assess the carrying values of goodwill and intangible assets. Based on this assessment, we recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $185.8 million during 2020, which included a full impairment charge to the remaining GES goodwill balance. Our remaining goodwill balance as of December 31, 2020 of $99.8 million pertains to our Pursuit business. We also recorded a non-cash impairment charge to intangible assets of $15.7 million during 2020 related to our U.S. audio-visual production business. The duration and impact of COVID-19 may result in additional future impairment charges as facts and circumstances evolve. Refer to Note 9 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2020 Form 10-K) for further information.

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Results of Operations

A discussion related to our results of operations for 2020 compared to 2019 is presented below. A discussion related to our results of operations for 2019 compared to 2018 can be found under Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2020, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Financial Highlights

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2020			2019		Change vs. 2019
Total revenue(1)	$	415,435		$	1,302,736		(68.1	)%
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad	$	(374,094	)	$	22,035	**
Segment operating income (loss)(2)	$	(116,240	)	$	90,243	**
Diluted income (loss) per common share from continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	(18.55	)	$	1.02	**

⁽¹⁾ Subsequent to the issuance of the December 31, 2019 consolidated financial statements, we identified prior period errors related to the recognition of revenue of GES’ Corporate Accounts’ third-party services. Revenue from these services should have been recorded on a net basis to reflect only the fees received for arranging these services, whereas previously, we recorded this revenue on a gross basis, thus overstating revenue and cost of services by the same amount. As a result, GES’ 2019 revenue has been corrected to reflect this immaterial gross-to-net adjustment. Refer to Note 1 – Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for additional information.

⁽²⁾ Refer to Note 23 – Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2020 Form 10-K) for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure, segment operating income (loss), to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

** Change is greater than +/- 100%

• Total revenue decreased $887.3 million, primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as GES experienced show postponements and cancellations as exhibition and event activity remained largely dormant. Additionally, Pursuit temporarily closed its properties in mid-March through most of the second quarter of 2020 and was affected by lower visitation due to continued border closures and other travel restrictions.

• Net loss attributable to Viad was $374.1 million during 2020 as compared to income of $22.0 million during 2019. The 2020 net loss was primarily due to lower revenue, impairment charges of $203.1 million mainly related to goodwill impairment charges, and restructuring charges of $13.4 million primarily related to transformation efforts at GES to significantly reduce costs and create a lower and more flexible cost structure, offset in part by lower performance-based compensation expense as we reduced our estimated performance achievement to zero as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During 2019, we recorded charges related to our partial withdrawal from the Central States Pension Plan of $15.7 million, a legal settlement charge of $8.5 million, restructuring charges of $8.4 million, and an asset impairment charge of $5.3 million, primarily related to our audio-visual production business in the United Kingdom.

• Total segment operating loss⁽¹⁾ was $116.2 million during 2020 as compared to income of $90.2 million during 2019. The 2020 losses are primarily due to lower revenue at GES and Pursuit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, offset in part by the elimination of performance-based incentives.

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Foreign Exchange Rate Variances

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

The following table summarizes the foreign exchange rate variance effects (or “FX Impact”) on revenue and segment operating income (loss) from our significant international operations:

	Revenue							Segment Operating Income (Loss)
	Weighted-Average Exchange Rates				FX Impact			Weighted-Average Exchange Rates				FX Impact
	2020		2019		(in thousands)			2020		2019		(in thousands)
GES North America:
Canada (CAD)	$	0.74	$	0.75	$	(358	)	$	0.74	$	0.75	$	(31	)
GES EMEA:
United Kingdom (GBP)	$	1.28	$	1.27	$	(568	)	$	1.32	$	1.27	$	(409	)
Europe (EUR)	$	1.11	$	1.12		(107	)	$	1.14	$	1.11		(168	)
					$	(675	)					$	(577	)
Pursuit:
Canada (CAD)	$	0.75	$	0.75	$	(239	)	$	0.75	$	0.76	$	198
Iceland (ISK)	$	0.01	$	0.01		(40	)	$	0.01	$	0.01		125
					$	(279	)					$	323
Total					$	(1,312	)					$	(285	)

Revenue and segment operating income (loss) were primarily impacted by variances of the British pound, the Canadian dollar, the Euro, and the Icelandic krona relative to the U.S. dollar. Future changes in exchange rates may impact overall expected profitability and historical period-to-period comparisons when revenue and segment operating income (loss) are translated into U.S. dollars.

Analysis of Revenue and Operating Results by Reportable Segment

GES

The following table presents a comparison of GES’ reported revenue and segment operating income (loss) to organic revenue⁽²⁾ and organic segment operating income (loss)⁽²⁾ for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

	Year Ended December 31, 2020											Year Ended December 31, 2019								Change vs. 2019
(in thousands)	As Reported			Acquisitions		FX Impact			Organic(2)			As Reported			Acquisitions		Organic(2)			As Reported			Organic(2)
Revenue:
GES(1):
North America	$	288,921		$	—	$	(358	)	$	289,279		$	884,105		$	—	$	884,105			(67.3	)%		(67.3	)%
EMEA		53,384			—		(675	)		54,059			216,559			—		216,559			(75.3	)%		(75.0	)%
Intersegment eliminations		(3,680	)		—		—			(3,680	)		(20,741	)		—		(20,741	)		82.3	%		82.3	%
Total GES	$	338,625		$	—	$	(1,033	)	$	339,658		$	1,079,923		$	—	$	1,079,923			(68.6	)%		(68.5	)%
Segment operating income (loss)(3):
GES:
North America	$	(56,446	)	$	—	$	(31	)	$	(56,415	)	$	27,659		$	—	$	27,659		**			**
EMEA		(17,451	)		—		(577	)		(16,874	)		8,274			—		8,274		**			**
Total GES	$	(73,897	)	$	—	$	(608	)	$	(73,289	)	$	35,933		$	—	$	35,933		**			**

** Change is greater than +/- 100%

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⁽¹⁾ Subsequent to the issuance of the December 31, 2019 consolidated financial statements, we identified prior period errors related to the recognition of revenue of GES’ Corporate Accounts’ third-party services. Revenue from these services should have been recorded on a net basis to reflect only the fees received for arranging these services, whereas previously, we recorded this revenue on a gross basis, thus overstating revenue and cost of services by the same amount. As a result, GES’ 2019 revenue has been corrected to reflect this immaterial gross-to-net adjustment. Refer to Note 1 – Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

⁽²⁾ Organic revenue and organic segment operating income (loss) 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 income (loss), see the “Non-GAAP Measures” section of this MD&A.

⁽³⁾ Refer to Note 23 – Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2020 Form 10-K) for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure, segment operating income (loss), to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

GES North America

GES North America revenue decreased $595.2 million or 67.3%, primarily due to show postponements and cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Revenue earned during 2020 was primarily driven by shows completed during the first quarter of 2020, compensation for work completed on cancelled shows, storage, and the conversion of convention centers into temporary hospitals in early April 2020, as well as virtual and hybrid events completed during the second half of 2020. Organic revenue* decreased $594.8 million or 67.3%.

GES North America segment operating loss was $56.4 million during 2020 as compared to income of $27.7 million during 2019. The 2020 losses are primarily due to the decrease in revenue, offset in part by the elimination of performance-based incentives and by the reduction in operating costs by reducing wages and discretionary costs. Organic segment operating loss* was $56.4 million during 2020 as compared to income of $27.7 million during 2019.

GES EMEA

GES EMEA revenue decreased $163.2 million or 75.3%, primarily due to show postponements and cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Revenue earned during 2020 was primarily driven by shows completed during the first quarter of 2020, compensation for work completed on cancelled shows, and the conversion of convention centers into temporary hospitals in early April 2020, as well as virtual and hybrid events completed during the second half of 2020. Organic revenue* decreased $162.5 million or 75.0%.

GES EMEA segment operating loss was $17.5 million during 2020 as compared to income of $8.3 million during 2019. The 2020 losses are primarily due to the decrease in revenue, offset in part by the elimination of performance-based incentives and by the reduction in operating costs by reducing wages and discretionary costs. Organic segment operating loss* was $16.9 million during 2020 as compared to income of $8.3 million during 2019.

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

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Pursuit

The following table presents a comparison of Pursuit’s reported revenue and segment operating income (loss) to organic revenue⁽³⁾ and organic segment operating income (loss)⁽³⁾ for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

	Year Ended December 31, 2020											Year Ended December 31, 2019								Change vs. 2019
(in thousands)	As Reported			Acquisitions(2)		FX Impact			Organic(3)			As Reported			Acquisitions(2)		Organic(3)			As Reported			Organic(3)
Revenue(1):
Pursuit:
Attractions	$	28,126		$	—	$	(189	)	$	28,315		$	110,369		$	—	$	110,369			(74.5	)%		(74.3	)%
Hospitality		45,838			17,037		(86	)		28,887			94,149			19,874		74,275			(51.3	)%		(61.1	)%
Transportation		2,696			—		(7	)		2,703			14,861			—		14,861			(81.9	)%		(81.8	)%
Travel Planning		467			—		(2	)		469			4,504			—		4,504			(89.6	)%		(89.6	)%
Intra-Segment Eliminations & Other		(317	)		—		5			(322	)		(1,070	)		—		(1,070	)		70.4	%		69.9	%
Total Pursuit	$	76,810		$	17,037	$	(279	)	$	60,052		$	222,813		$	19,874	$	202,939			(65.5	)%		(70.4	)%
Segment operating income (loss)(4):
Total Pursuit	$	(42,343	)	$	719	$	323		$	(43,385	)	$	54,310		$	5,693	$	48,617		**			**

⁽¹⁾ Revenue by line of business does not agree to Note 2 – Revenue and Related Contract Costs and Contract Liabilities of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2020 Form 10-K) as the amounts in the above table include product revenue from food and beverage and retail operations within each line of business.  

⁽²⁾ Acquisitions include Mountain Park Lodges (acquired June 2019) and Belton Chalet (acquired May 2019).

⁽³⁾ Organic revenue and organic segment operating income (loss) 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 income (loss), see the “Non-GAAP Measures” section of this MD&A.

⁽⁴⁾ Refer to Note 23 – Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2020 Form 10-K) for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure, segment operating income (loss), to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Pursuit revenue decreased $146.0 million or 65.5%, primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as Pursuit temporarily closed its properties in mid-March through most of the second quarter of 2020. We phased in most of Pursuit’s attractions and lodging operations starting in May 2020 with most open and operational during the third quarter of 2020, although at reduced capacities. The travel and hospitality industry continues to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as travel restrictions and border closures largely remain in place. Organic revenue* decreased $142.9 million or 70.4%.

Pursuit segment operating loss was $42.3 million during 2020 as compared to income of $54.3 million during 2019. The 2020 declines are primarily due to the decrease in revenue, offset in part by the reduction in operating costs through efforts to maximize profitability. Organic segment operating loss* was $43.4 million during 2020 as compared to income of $48.6 million during 2019.

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

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Performance Measures

We use the following key business metrics to evaluate the performance of Pursuit’s attractions business:

• Number of visitors. The number of visitors allows us to assess the volume of tickets sold at each attraction during the period.

• Revenue per attraction visitor. Revenue per attraction visitor is calculated as total attractions revenue divided by the total number of visitors 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 visitor measures the total spend per visitor that attraction properties are able to capture, which is important to the profitability of the attractions business.

• Effective ticket price. Effective ticket price is calculated as revenue from the sale of attraction tickets divided by the total number of visitors at all comparable Pursuit attractions during the period.

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 per available room 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 realize. Increases in ADR 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 increases in ancillary non-rooms revenue (including food and beverage and retail revenue).

The following table provides Pursuit’s same-store key performance indicators. The same-store metrics indicate the performance of all 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 outside of the U.S., 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,
	2020			2019			Change vs. 2019
Same-Store Key Performance Indicators (1)
Attractions:
Number of visitors		549,760			2,348,069			(76.6	)%
Revenue per attraction visitor	$	44		$	46			(4.3	)%
Effective ticket price	$	30		$	35			(14.3	)%
Hospitality:
Room nights available (2)		167,442			283,483			(40.9	)%
RevPAR (2)	$	69		$	144			(52.1	)%
ADR	$	150		$	206			(27.2	)%
Occupancy (2)		45.9	%		70.1	%		(24.2	)%

⁽¹⁾ Attractions Same-Store Key Performance Indicators exclude FlyOver Iceland (opened August 2019) and Open Top Touring (opened September 2020). Hospitality Same-Store Key Performance Indicators exclude the Glacier Basecamp Lodge (purchased January 2020), West Glacier RV Park & Cabins (opened July 2019), the Mountain Park Lodges (acquired in June 2019), and the Belton Chalet (acquired in May 2019).

⁽²⁾ The rooms that were out of service as a result of property closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic were excluded from room nights available when calculating hospitality RevPAR and occupancy.

On July 18, 2020, one of our off-road Ice Explorers was involved in an accident while enroute to the Athabasca Glacier, resulting in three fatalities and multiple other serious injuries. We continue to support the victims and their families, and we are fully cooperating

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with the applicable regulatory authorities to investigate this accident. The Columbia Icefield Adventure attraction remained closed through the rest of the season while the investigation was underway.

For the health and well-being of our employees, guests, and community, Pursuit’s year-round attractions and lodging properties were closed temporarily starting in mid-March and remained closed during most of the second quarter of 2020. The majority of Pursuit’s properties were open and operational during the third quarter of 2020, although at reduced capacities. St. Mary Lodge and Glacier Park Lodge remained closed due to a government-imposed closure at the East Glacier entrance at Glacier National Park. We seasonally closed our non-year-round properties during the fourth quarter of 2020. Additionally, temporary government mandated closures occurred at FlyOver Canada and FlyOver Iceland during the fourth quarter of 2020. In order to mitigate the negative financial and operational impacts, we reduced all non-essential capital expenditures during the first and second quarters of 2020 resulting in the delay of the opening of FlyOver Canada Toronto, which is now anticipated to open near the end of 2023. We resumed important growth investments in September of 2020, and now anticipate opening FlyOver Las Vegas in the third quarter of 2021 and the Sky Lagoon in the second quarter of 2021.

Attractions. The decrease in same-store visitors and revenue per attraction was driven by the temporary closure of our attractions and lower visitation due to the continued border closures and travel restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuit’s attractions were open during the third quarter of 2020, although at reduced capacities.

Hospitality. The decrease in RevPAR and ADR was driven by lower demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During 2020 and 2019, Pursuit derived approximately 67% and 66% of its revenue, respectively, and 44% and 88% of its segment operating loss and income, respectively, from its Canadian operations. Accordingly, the strengthening or weakening of the Canadian dollar, relative to other currencies, could affect customer volumes and the results of operations. The 2020 results were negatively impacted by travel restrictions and border closures, which affected long-haul travelers to Canada that is largely dependent on foreign customer visitation.

Other Expenses

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019			Change vs. 2019
Corporate activities	$	8,687		$	10,865			(20.0	)%
Interest expense	$	18,264		$	14,199			28.6	%
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal	$	462		$	15,693			(97.1	)%
Other expense, net	$	1,132		$	1,586			(28.6	)%
Restructuring charges	$	13,440		$	8,380			60.4	%
Legal settlement	$	—		$	8,500		**
Impairment charges	$	203,076		$	5,346		**
Income tax expense	$	14,246		$	2,506		**
Loss from discontinued operations	$	(1,847	)	$	(81	)	**

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

Corporate Activities – The decrease in corporate activities expense during 2020 relative to 2019 was primarily due to lower headcount, lower performance-based compensation expense as we reduced our estimated performance achievement to zero as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and higher acquisition transaction-related costs in 2019, offset in part by fees and expenses related to the equity raise and credit facility amendment in 2020.

Interest Expense – The increase in interest expense relative to 2019 was primarily due to higher debt balances during the first half of 2020.

Multi-Employer Pension Plan Withdrawal – During 2019, we finalized the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement with the Teamsters 727 union. The terms included a withdrawal from the underfunded Central States Pension Plan. Accordingly, we recorded a charge of $15.5 million, which represented the estimated present value of future contributions we will be required to make to the plan as a result of this withdrawal from the plan and $0.2 million of other withdrawal costs. Additionally, we recorded $0.5 million in 2020 related to the withdrawal from one of our multi-employer plans.

Restructuring Charges – Restructuring charges during 2020 and 2019 were primarily related to the elimination of certain positions and facility closures at GES, as well as charges related to the closure and liquidation of GES’ United Kingdom-based audio-visual services business during 2020. The 2019 actions arose in connection with our ongoing efforts to simplify and transform GES for greater profitability. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we accelerated our transformation and streamlining efforts at GES to significantly reduce costs and create a lower and more flexible cost structure focused on servicing our more profitable market segments.

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The 2020 charges also included amounts related to the elimination of certain positions at our corporate office in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Legal Settlement – During 2019, we recorded a charge to resolve a legal dispute at GES involving a former industry contractor.

Impairment Charges – During 2020, due to the deteriorating macroeconomic environment related to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in disruptions to our operations and the decline in our stock price, we recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $185.8 million primarily related to the write-off of GES’ goodwill, a non-cash impairment charge to intangible assets of $15.7 million related to our audio-visual production business in the U.S., and fixed asset impairment charges of $1.6 million. During 2019, we recorded asset impairment charges of $5.3 million related to our audio-visual production business in the United Kingdom.

Income Tax Expense – Our effective income tax rate was negative 3.9% for 2020 as compared to 9.6% for 2019. The negative effective tax rate for 2020 was due to no tax benefits being recorded in our U.S., United Kingdom, and other European jurisdictions as a result of recording a valuation allowance during the second quarter of 2020 against our net deferred tax assets in these jurisdictions due to our belief that it is more likely than not that we will be unable to realize the tax benefits from our current year losses in these jurisdictions. The 9.6% effective rate for 2019 was low primarily due a $4.5 million benefit resulting from the remeasurement of our Alberta deferred tax assets due to a statutory rate reduction.

Loss from Discontinued Operations – Loss from discontinued operations during 2020 was primarily due to settlement and legal expenses related to previously sold operations. Loss from discontinued operations for 2019 was primarily related to legal expenses, offset in part by a favorable legal settlement related to previously sold operations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

In early March 2020, we began to see event postponements and cancellations at GES, as well as cancelled bookings at Pursuit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we were in compliance with the financial covenants of our 2018 Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2020, we entered into an amendment to our 2018 Credit Agreement in May 2020, which waived our financial covenants for the quarter ending June 30, 2020. As the shut-down of live events and tourism activities escalated, we expected to be unable to meet our financial covenants beginning with the quarter ending September 30, 2020. During the third quarter of 2020, we secured additional capital to strengthen our liquidity position and amended our 2018 Credit Agreement to provide financial covenant relief and financial flexibility as described below.

On August 5, 2020, we entered into an investment agreement with funds managed by private equity firm Crestview Partners (the “Investment Agreement”) who made an initial investment of $135 million, offset in part by $9.2 million in fees, in newly issued perpetual convertible preferred stock that carries a 5.5% cumulative quarterly dividend, which is payable in cash or in-kind at Viad’s option (the “Convertible Preferred Stock”). The Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $21.25 per share. The Investment Agreement also includes a delayed draw commitment of up to $45 million in additional Convertible Preferred Stock, which we may access during the 12 months following the August 5, 2020 closing date on the same terms and conditions as the initial investment. The proceeds from Crestview’s initial investment were used to repay a portion of our 2018 Credit Facility, will provide additional short-term liquidity, will fund capital expenditures, and will support general corporate purposes. On August 5, 2020, we entered into an amendment to our 2018 Credit Agreement, which, among other things, (i) waives our financial covenants until September 30, 2022 (the “Covenant Waiver Period”) and (ii) requires us to maintain minimum liquidity of $100 million, with liquidity defined as unrestricted cash and available capacity on our 2018 Credit Facility. The interest rate on the borrowings is equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 350 basis points, with a LIBOR floor of one percent during the Covenant Waiver Period. The LIBOR floor continues until the end of the 2018 Credit Agreement. Viad pledged 100% of the capital stock of its wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries and its top-tier foreign subsidiaries (other than Esja Attractions ehf.). Fees related to the amendment were approximately $1.7 million.

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash were $42.0 million as of December 31, 2020, as compared to $62.0 million as of December 31, 2019. Our total available liquidity was $258.0 million, including the available capacity on our 2018 Credit Facility of $173.5 million, unrestricted cash of $39.5 million, and an additional $45 million available through the delayed draw commitment from Crestview Partners. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we used net cash from operating activities of $80.2 million. We believe that our existing sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund operations and capital commitments, including approximately $60 million in capital expenditures in select growth investments, for at least the next 12 months.

As of December 31, 2020, we held approximately $36.1 million of our cash and cash equivalents outside of the U.S., consisting of $15.6 million in Canada, $9.8 million in the United Kingdom, $7.2 million in the Netherlands, $1.8 million in Iceland, $1.2 million in the United Arab Emirates, and $0.5 million in other countries.

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Cash Flows

Operating Activities

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019
Net income (loss)	$	(376,952	)	$	23,523
Depreciation and amortization		56,565			58,964
Deferred income taxes		15,097			(10,398	)
Loss from discontinued operations		1,847			81
Restructuring charges		13,440			8,380
Legal settlement		—			8,500
Impairment charges		203,076			5,346
Gains on dispositions of property and other assets		(14,935	)		(1,475	)
Share-based compensation expense		2,653			7,190
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal		462			15,693
Other non-cash items		8,056			3,791
Changes in assets and liabilities		10,443			(11,456	)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$	(80,248	)	$	108,139

The change in net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of $188.4 million was due to net losses at GES and Pursuit due to the COVID-19 pandemic, offset in part by a reduction in the working capital needed to support lower business volumes and active working capital management.

Investing Activities

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019
Capital expenditures	$	(53,567	)	$	(76,147	)
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies		24,767			—
Cash paid for acquisitions, net		—			(90,992	)
Proceeds from dispositions of property and other assets		22,027			1,583
Net cash used in investing activities	$	(6,773	)	$	(165,556	)

The decrease in net cash used in investing activities of $158.8 million was primarily due to proceeds from the termination of our life insurance policies, proceeds from dispositions of property and other assets in 2020, including $17.1 million from the sale of the GES warehouse in San Diego, cash paid for acquisitions in 2019, and a decrease in capital expenditures as we reduced all non-essential capital expenditures during most of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Financing Activities

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019
Proceeds from borrowings	$	225,422		$	200,473
Payments on debt and finance lease obligations		(275,327	)		(115,708	)
Dividends paid on common stock		(4,064	)		(8,094	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest		(1,526	)		(407	)
Payments of debt issuance costs		(1,585	)		(39	)
Payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld or repurchased		(1,688	)		(3,046	)
Common stock purchased for treasury		(2,785	)		—
Proceeds from issuance of Convertible Series A Preferred Stock, net of issuance costs		125,763			—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		2,077			293
Net cash provided by financing activities	$	66,287		$	73,472

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The decrease in net cash provided by financing activities of $7.2 million was primarily due to net debt payments of $49.9 million during 2020 compared to net debt proceeds of $84.8 million during 2019 under the 2018 Credit Facility, offset substantially in part by the proceeds from the issuance of Convertible Series A Preferred Stock.

Debt and Finance Lease Obligations

Refer to Note 12 – Debt and Finance Lease Obligations of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2020 Form 10-K) for further discussion.

Guarantees

Refer to Note 21 – Litigation, Claims, Contingencies, and Other of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2020 Form 10-K) for further discussion.

Share Repurchases

Our Board of Directors previously authorized us to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices. Effective February 7, 2019, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 500,000 shares.  In March 2020, our Board of Directors suspended our share repurchase program for the foreseeable future. Prior to the suspension, we repurchased 53,784 shares on the open market for $2.8 million in 2020. No shares were repurchased on the open market during 2019. As of December 31, 2020, 546,283 shares remained available for repurchase. The Board of Directors’ authorization does not have an expiration date.

Additionally, we repurchased shares related to tax withholding requirements on vested restricted share-based awards.

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:

Revenue recognition — Revenue is measured based on a specified amount of consideration in a contract with a customer, net of commissions paid to customers and amounts collected on behalf of third parties. We recognize revenue when a performance obligation is satisfied by transferring control of a product or service to a customer. Revenue for goods and services provided for which we do not have control of the goods or services before that good or service is transferred to a customer is recorded on a net basis to reflect only the fees received for arranging these services.

GES’ service revenue is primarily derived through its comprehensive range of services to event organizers and corporate brand marketers including Core Services, Audio-visual, and Event Technology. GES’ service revenue is earned over time over the duration of the exhibition, conference or corporate event, which generally lasts one to three days; however, we use the practical expedient of recognizing service revenue at the close of the event when we have the right to invoice, or when a customer cancels a contract. GES’ product revenue is derived from the build of exhibits and environments and graphics. GES’ product revenue is recognized at a point in time upon delivery of the product, or when a customer cancels a contract. 

Pursuit’s service revenue is derived through its accommodations, admissions, transportation, and travel planning services. Pursuit’s product revenue is derived through food and beverage and retail sales. Pursuit’s revenue is recognized at the time services are performed or upon delivery of the product. Pursuit’s service revenue is recognized over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits. Pursuit’s product revenue is recognized at a point in time.

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. 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.

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. Due to the deteriorating macroeconomic environment related to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in disruptions to our operations and the decline in our stock price, we determined interim triggering events occurred in the first and second quarters of 2020, which required us

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to assess the carrying values of goodwill and intangible assets. Based on this assessment, we recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $185.8 million during 2020, which included a full impairment charge to the remaining GES goodwill balance. We also recorded a non-cash impairment charge to intangible assets of $15.7 million during 2020 related to our U.S. audio-visual production business.

GES North America’s goodwill was assigned to, and tested at, the operating segment level (GES U.S. and GES Canada (collectively “GES North America”). GES EMEA’s goodwill was assigned to and tested at the operating segment level. Pursuit’s goodwill 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 (the most significant being revenue and EBITDA margins), 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, 2020, our aggregate goodwill was $99.8 million. As a result of our most recent impairment analysis performed as of October 31, 2020, the excess of the estimated fair value over the carrying value for our reporting units with reported goodwill (expressed as a percentage of the carrying amounts) under step one of the impairment test for the Banff Jasper Collection and the Alaska Collection was significant, and FlyOver was 6%. Significant reductions in FlyOver and our other reporting unit’s 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 $99.2 million as of December 31, 2020 and $40.5 million as of December 31, 2019. We had a valuation allowance against gross deferred tax assets of $81.8 million as of December 31, 2020 and $4.3 million as of December 31, 2019.

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 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

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funding required by applicable regulations. We presently anticipate contributing $0.8 million to our funded pension plans and $0.9 million to our unfunded pension plans in 2021.

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 $0.9 million to the plans in 2021.

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 18 – Pension and Postretirement Benefits of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2020 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 term and provides for the following types of awards: (a) incentive and non-qualified stock options; (b) restricted stock awards 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 $2.7 million in 2020, $7.2 million in 2019, and $4.9 million in 2018. There was no income tax benefit related to such cost in 2020 due to the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. We recorded total tax benefits related to such costs of $2.2 million in 2019 and $1.2 million in 2018. No share-based compensation costs were capitalized during 2020, 2019, or 2018.

We account for share-based payment awards that will be settled in cash as liability-based awards. We measure share-based compensation expense of liability-based awards at fair value at each reporting date until the date of settlement 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 reporting date based on our stock price and the Monte Carlo simulation model. A Monte Carlo simulation requires the use of several assumptions, including historical volatility and correlation between our stock price and the price of the common shares of a comparator group, a risk-free rate of return, and an expected term. We account for share-based awards that will be settled in shares of our common stock as equity-based awards. We measure share-based compensation expense of equity-based awards at fair value on the grant date on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The estimated number of shares to be achieved is updated each reporting period based on the number of units expected to vest and, where applicable, the level of achievement of predefined performance goals, until the date of settlement. The fair value of stock option grants is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes stock option pricing model. The Black-Scholes model requires the use of several assumptions, including expected volatility, a risk-free interest rate, a forfeiture rate, and expected life. We measure share-based compensation for performance-based options on a straight-line basis over the performance period and the underlying shares expected to be settled are adjusted each reporting period based on estimated future achievement of the respective performance metrics. Service-based options are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period on a graded-vesting schedule. Refer to Note 3 – Share-Based Compensation of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2020 Form 10-K) for further information.

Self-Insurance Liabilities — We are self-insured up to certain limits for workers’ compensation and general liabilities, which includes automobile, product general liability, and client property loss claims. We have also retained and provided for certain workers’ compensation insurance liabilities in conjunction with previously sold businesses. We are also self-insured for certain employee health benefits. Provisions for losses for claims incurred, including actuarially derived estimated claims incurred but not yet reported, are made based on historical experience, claims frequency, and other factors. We have purchased insurance for amounts in excess of the self-insured levels.

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 2020 Form 10-K) for further information.

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 the following non-GAAP financial measures: Segment operating income (loss), organic revenue, and organic segment operating income (loss) (collectively, the “Non-GAAP Measures”). Our use of 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, our Non-GAAP Measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. We believe that our use of Non-GAAP Measures provides useful information to investors regarding our results of operations for trending, analyzing, and benchmarking our performance and the value of our business.

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• “Segment operating income (loss)” is net income (loss) attributable to Viad before income (loss) from discontinued operations, corporate activities, interest expense and interest income, income taxes, restructuring charges, impairment charges and recoveries, and the reduction for income attributable to noncontrolling interest. Segment operating income (loss) is used to measure the profit and performance of our operating segments to facilitate period-to-period comparisons. Refer to Note 23 – Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2020 Form 10-K) for a reconciliation of segment operating income (loss) to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes.

• “Organic revenue” and “organic segment operating income (loss)” are revenue and segment operating income (loss) (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 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 (loss) to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

We believe non-GAAP Measures are useful operating metrics as they eliminate potential variations arising from taxes, debt service costs, impairment charges and recoveries, and the effects of discontinued operations, resulting in additional measures considered to be indicative of our ongoing operations and segment performance. Although we use Non-GAAP Measures to assess the performance of our 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, expenses related to U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income taxes, impairment charges and recoveries, and the effects of discontinued operations. As the Non-GAAP Measures do not consider these items, net income (loss) attributable to Viad should be considered as an important measure of financial performance because it provides a more complete measure of our performance.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our market risk exposure relates to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and interest rates. 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 financial position or results of operations.

Our foreign operations are primarily in Canada, the United Kingdom, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Germany. 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 $16.7 million as of December 31, 2020 and $23.8 million as of December 31, 2019. We recorded unrealized foreign currency translation gains in other comprehensive income of $7.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2020 and $12.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2019.

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 income (loss) 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 income (loss). Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Foreign Exchange Rate Variances” (Part II, Item 7 of this 2020 Form 10-K) for a further discussion.

A hypothetical change of 10% in the Canadian dollar exchange rate would result in a change to 2020 operating loss of approximately $2.1 million. A hypothetical change of 10% in the British pound exchange rate would result in a change to 2020 operating loss of approximately $1.0 million. A hypothetical change of 10% in the Euro exchange rate would result in a change to 2020 operating loss of approximately $0.4 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, 2020 and 2019, we did not have any outstanding foreign currency forward contracts.

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We are exposed to short-term and long-term interest rate risk on certain of our debt obligations. A hypothetical change of 10% in interest rates would result in a change to 2020 interest expense of approximately $2 million.

We do not currently use derivative financial instruments to hedge cash flows for such obligations.

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	Page
Consolidated Balance Sheets	35
Consolidated Statements of Operations	36
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	37
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Mezzanine Equity	38
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	39
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	40
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	82
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	93

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VIAD CORP

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	December 31,
(in thousands, except share data)	2020			2019
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	39,545		$	61,999
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $5,310 and $1,200,    respectively		17,837			126,246
Inventories		8,727			17,269
Current contract costs		7,923			24,535
Other current assets		17,225			30,854
Total current assets		91,257			260,903
Property and equipment, net		492,154			500,901
Other investments and assets		15,492			45,119
Operating lease right-of-use assets		82,739			103,314
Deferred income taxes		563			26,163
Goodwill		99,847			287,983
Other intangible assets, net		71,172			94,308
Total Assets	$	853,224		$	1,318,691
Liabilities, Mezzanine Equity, and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	21,037		$	86,660
Contract liabilities		18,595			50,671
Accrued compensation		7,030			32,658
Operating lease obligations		15,697			22,180
Other current liabilities		27,039			39,824
Current portion of debt and finance lease obligations		8,335			5,330
Total current liabilities		97,733			237,323
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations		285,356			335,162
Pension and postretirement benefits		27,264			26,247
Long-term operating lease obligations		70,150			82,851
Other deferred items and liabilities		64,628			83,707
Total liabilities		545,131			765,290
Commitments and contingencies
Convertible Series A Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, 180,000 shares authorized,   135,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020		128,769			—
Redeemable noncontrolling interest		5,225			6,172
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		568,100			574,473
Retained earnings (deficit)		(253,164	)		122,971
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(30,641	)		(35,699	)
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 4,475,489 and 4,588,084 shares, respectively		(225,742	)		(231,649	)
Total Viad stockholders’ equity		95,955			467,498
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interest		78,144			79,731
Total stockholders’ equity		174,099			547,229
Total Liabilities, Mezzanine Equity, and Stockholders’ Equity	$	853,224		$	1,318,691

Refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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VIAD CORP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2020			2019			2018
Revenue:
Services	$	351,528		$	1,101,534		$	1,051,389
Products		63,907			201,202			185,935
Total revenue		415,435			1,302,736			1,237,324
Costs and expenses:
Costs of services		457,827			1,031,187			980,543
Costs of products		73,783			181,380			168,799
Business interruption gain		—			(141	)		(602	)
Corporate activities		8,687			10,865			10,993
Interest income		(377	)		(369	)		(354	)
Interest expense		18,264			14,199			9,640
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal		462			15,693			—
Other expense, net		1,132			1,586			1,744
Restructuring charges		13,440			8,380			1,587
Legal settlement		—			8,500			—
Impairment charges (recoveries)		203,076			5,346			(35	)
Total costs and expenses		776,294			1,276,626			1,172,315
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		(360,859	)		26,110			65,009
Income tax expense		14,246			2,506			17,095
Income (loss) from continuing operations		(375,105	)		23,604			47,914
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		(1,847	)		(81	)		1,481
Net income (loss)		(376,952	)		23,523			49,395
Net (income) loss attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interest		1,376			(2,309	)		(542	)
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		1,482			821			317
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad	$	(374,094	)	$	22,035		$	49,170
Diluted income (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	(18.55	)	$	1.02		$	2.33
Discontinued operations attributable to Viad common stockholders		(0.09	)		—			0.07
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	(18.64	)	$	1.02		$	2.40
Weighted-average outstanding and potentially dilutive common    shares		20,279			20,284			20,404
Basic income (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	(18.55	)	$	1.02		$	2.33
Discontinued operations attributable to Viad common stockholders		(0.09	)		—			0.07
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	(18.64	)	$	1.02		$	2.40
Weighted-average outstanding common shares		20,279			20,146			20,168
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.10		$	0.40		$	0.40
Amounts attributable to Viad common stockholders
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(372,247	)	$	22,116		$	47,689
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		(1,847	)		(81	)		1,481
Net income (loss)	$	(374,094	)	$	22,035		$	49,170

Refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

36

VIAD CORP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2018
Net income (loss)	$	(376,952	)	$	23,523		$	49,395
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments		7,113			12,533			(24,306	)
Change in net actuarial loss, net of tax effects of $(55), $(44), and $305		(1,955	)		(116	)		1,236
Change in prior service cost, net of tax effects of $(46), $(48), and $(52)		(100	)		(141	)		(153	)
Comprehensive income (loss)		(371,894	)		35,799			26,172
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interest:
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interest		1,376			(2,309	)		(542	)
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments		1,315			1,080			—
Redeemable noncontrolling interest:
Comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		1,482			821			317
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Viad	$	(367,721	)	$	35,391		$	25,947

Refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

37

VIAD CORP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND MEZZANINE EQUITY

																											Mezzanine Equity
(in thousands)	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			Total Stockholders’ Equity			Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest			Convertible Series A Preferred Stock
Balance, December 31, 2017	$	37,402	$	574,458		$	65,836		$	218		$	(22,568	)	$	(226,215	)	$	429,131		$	13,806		$	442,937		$	6,648		$	—
Net income		—		—			49,170			—			—			—			49,170			542			49,712			(317	)		—
Dividends on common stock ($0.40 per share)		—		—			(8,154	)		—			—			—			(8,154	)		—			(8,154	)		—			—
Payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld		—		—			—			—			—			(1,209	)		(1,209	)		—			(1,209	)		—			—
Common stock purchased for treasury		—		—			—			—			—			(17,174	)		(17,174	)		—			(17,174	)		—			—
Employee benefit plans		—		(1,905	)		—			—			—			6,807			4,902			—			4,902			—			—
Share-based compensation - equity awards		—		2,849			—			—			—			—			2,849			—			2,849			—			—
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment		—		—			—			—			(24,306	)		—			(24,306	)		—			(24,306	)		(673	)		—
Amortization of net actuarial gain, net of tax		—		—			—			—			1,236			—			1,236			—			1,236			—			—
Amortization of prior service cost, net of tax		—		—			—			—			(153	)		—			(153	)		—			(153	)		—			—
Adoption of ASU 2016-01		—		—			616			—			(616	)		—			—			—			—			—			—
Adoption of ASU 2018-02		—		—			1,568			—			(1,568	)		—			—			—			—			—			—
Other, net		—		(63	)		(4	)		(19	)		—			1			(85	)		—			(85	)		251			—
Balance, December 31, 2018	$	37,402	$	575,339		$	109,032		$	199		$	(47,975	)	$	(237,790	)	$	436,207		$	14,348		$	450,555		$	5,909		$	—
Net income		—		—			22,035			—			—			—			22,035			2,309			24,344			(821	)		—
Dividends on common stock ($0.40 per share)		—		—			(8,094	)		—			—			—			(8,094	)		—			(8,094	)		—			—
Distributions to noncontrolling interest		—		—			—			—			—			—			—			(407	)		(407	)		—			—
Payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld		—		—			—			—			—			(3,046	)		(3,046	)		—			(3,046	)		—			—
Employee benefit plans		—		(3,659	)		—			—			—			9,189			5,530			—			5,530			—			—
Share-based compensation - equity awards		—		2,755			—			—			—			—			2,755			—			2,755			—			—
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment		—		—			—			—			12,533			—			12,533			1,080			13,613			(234	)		—
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax		—		—			—			—			(116	)		—			(116	)		—			(116	)		—			—
Amortization of prior service cost, net of tax		—		—			—			—			(141	)		—			(141	)		—			(141	)		—			—
Acquisitions		—		—			—			—			—			—			—			62,401			62,401			—			—
Other, net		—		38			(2	)		(199	)		—			(2	)		(165	)		—			(165	)		1,318			—
Balance, December 31, 2019	$	37,402	$	574,473		$	122,971		$	—		$	(35,699	)	$	(231,649	)	$	467,498		$	79,731		$	547,229		$	6,172		$	—
Net loss		—		—			(374,094	)		—			—			—			(374,094	)		(1,376	)		(375,470	)		(1,482	)		—
Dividends on common stock ($0.10 per share)		—		—			(2,038	)		—			—			—			(2,038	)		—			(2,038	)		—			—
Issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock		—		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			125,763
Dividends on convertible preferred stock		—		(3,006	)		—			—			—			—			(3,006	)		—			(3,006	)		—			3,006
Distributions to noncontrolling interest		—		—			—			—			—			—			—			(1,526	)		(1,526	)		—			—
Payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld		—		—			—			—			—			(1,688	)		(1,688	)		—			(1,688	)		—			—
Common stock purchased for treasury		—		—			—			—			—			(2,785	)		(2,785	)		—			(2,785	)		—			—
Employee benefit plans		—		(7,901	)		—			—			—			10,380			2,479			—			2,479			—			—
Share-based compensation - equity awards		—		4,444			—			—			—			—			4,444			—			4,444			—			—
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment		—		—			—			—			7,113			—			7,113			1,315			8,428			(390	)		—
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax		—		—			—			—			(1,955	)		—			(1,955	)		—			(1,955	)		—			—
Amortization of prior service cost, net of tax		—		—			—			—			(100	)		—			(100	)		—			(100	)		—			—
Other, net		—		90			(3	)		—			—			—			87			—			87			925			—
Balance, December 31, 2020	$	37,402	$	568,100		$	(253,164	)	$	—		$	(30,641	)	$	(225,742	)	$	95,955		$	78,144		$	174,099		$	5,225		$	128,769

Refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

38

VIAD CORP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2018
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$	(376,952	)	$	23,523		$	49,395
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		56,565			58,964			56,842
Deferred income taxes		15,097			(10,398	)		5,350
(Income) loss from discontinued operations		1,847			81			(1,481	)
Restructuring charges		13,440			8,380			1,587
Legal settlement		—			8,500			—
Impairment charges (recoveries)		203,076			5,346			(35	)
(Gains) losses on dispositions of property and other assets		(14,935	)		(1,475	)		473
Share-based compensation expense		2,653			7,190			4,870
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal		462			15,693			—
Other non-cash items, net		8,056			3,791			4,306
Change in operating assets and liabilities (excluding the impact of acquisitions):
Receivables		106,082			(16,959	)		(6,200	)
Inventories		8,644			(328	)		(1,573	)
Current contract costs		16,279			(6,333	)		(4,976	)
Accounts payable		(88,251	)		9,726			(1,645	)
Restructuring liabilities		(7,427	)		(6,047	)		(1,716	)
Accrued compensation		(26,375	)		6,853			(12,818	)
Contract liabilities		(31,585	)		16,796			3,677
Income taxes payable		770			195			(7,696	)
Other assets and liabilities, net		32,306			(15,359	)		2,235
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(80,248	)		108,139			90,595
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures		(53,567	)		(76,147	)		(83,345	)
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies		24,767			—			—
Cash paid for acquisitions, net		—			(90,992	)		(4,628	)
Proceeds from dispositions of property and other assets		22,027			1,583			925
Net cash used in investing activities		(6,773	)		(165,556	)		(87,048	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings		225,422			200,473			146,580
Payments on debt and finance lease obligations		(275,327	)		(115,708	)		(128,211	)
Dividends paid on common stock		(4,064	)		(8,094	)		(8,154	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest		(1,526	)		(407	)		—
Payments of debt issuance costs		(1,585	)		(39	)		(1,823	)
Payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld or repurchased		(1,688	)		(3,046	)		(1,209	)
Common stock purchased for treasury		(2,785	)		—			(17,174	)
Proceeds from issuance of Convertible Series A Preferred Stock, net of issuance costs		125,763
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		2,077			293			84
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		66,287			73,472			(9,907	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash		701			1,050			(2,470	)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash		(20,033	)		17,105			(8,830	)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of year		62,004			44,899			53,729
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of year	$	41,971		$	62,004		$	44,899

Refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

39

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 were 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 a leading provider of experiential leisure travel and face-to-face events and marketing experiences company with operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, continental Europe, the United Arab Emirates, and Iceland. We are committed to providing unforgettable experiences to our clients and guests. We operate through three reportable business segments: GES North America, GES EMEA (collectively, “GES”), and Pursuit.

GES

GES is a global, full-service live events company offering a comprehensive range of services to event organizers and corporate brand marketers. Event organizers schedule and run events 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 inspiring and unforgettable travel experiences that includes recreational attractions, unique hotels and lodges, food and beverage, retail, sightseeing, and ground transportation services. Pursuit comprises the Banff Jasper Collection, the Alaska Collection, the Glacier Park Collection, and FlyOver.

Impact of COVID-19

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a “pandemic.” COVID-19 has spread rapidly, with a high concentration of confirmed cases in the U.S. and other countries in which we operate. The rapid spread has resulted in authorities around the world implementing numerous measures to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders, and business shutdowns. The COVID-19 pandemic and these containment measures have had, and are expected to continue to have, a substantial negative impact on businesses around the world and on global, regional, and national economies.

The COVID-19 pandemic is having and will likely continue to have a significant and negative impact on our operations and financial performance, with live events largely shut down and severe tourism activity disruptions. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented aggressive cost reduction measures to preserve cash, including furloughs, layoffs, mandatory unpaid time off, or salary reductions for all employees, and the reduction of discretionary spending. We continue to implement measures to successfully adapt for the long-term impact of COVID-19. During 2020, we secured additional capital to strengthen our liquidity position and amended our Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2018 Credit Agreement”) to provide financial covenant relief and financial flexibility.

Investment Agreement

On August 5, 2020, we entered into an investment agreement with funds managed by private equity firm Crestview Partners (the “Investment Agreement”) who made an initial investment of $135 million, offset in part by $9.2 million in fees, in newly issued perpetual convertible preferred stock that carries a 5.5% cumulative quarterly dividend, which is payable in cash or in-kind at Viad’s option (the “Convertible Preferred Stock”). The Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $21.25 per share. The Investment Agreement also includes a delayed draw commitment of up to $45 million in additional Convertible Preferred Stock, which we may access during the 12 months following the August 5, 2020 closing date on the same terms and conditions as the initial investment. The proceeds from Crestview’s initial investment were used to repay a portion of our 2018 Credit Facility, will provide additional short-term liquidity, will fund capital expenditures, and will support general corporate purposes. Pursuant to the Investment Agreement, two Crestview Partners’ designees joined our Board of Directors, increasing the size of our board from seven to nine directors.

40

Credit Agreement Amendment

On August 5, 2020, we entered into an amendment to our 2018 Credit Agreement, which, among other things, (i) waives our financial covenants until September 30, 2022 (the “Covenant Waiver Period”) and (ii) requires us to maintain minimum liquidity of $100 million, with liquidity defined as unrestricted cash and available capacity on our 2018 Credit Facility. The interest rate on the borrowings is equal to the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 350 basis points, with a LIBOR floor of one percent during the Covenant Waiver Period. The LIBOR floor continues until the end of the 2018 Credit Agreement. Viad pledged 100% of the capital stock of its wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries and its top-tier foreign subsidiaries (other than Esja Attractions ehf.). Fees related to the amendment were approximately $1.7 million.

Management anticipates that the initial cash proceeds from Crestview Partners, existing cash and cash equivalents, and the amendment to waive financial covenants within the 2018 Credit Agreement until September 30, 2022 will be sufficient to fund operations for at least the next 12 months.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Impairments

Due to the deteriorating macroeconomic environment related to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in disruptions to our operations and the decline in our stock price, we determined interim triggering events had occurred in the first and second quarters of 2020, which required us to assess the carrying values of goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. Based on this assessment, we recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $185.8 million during 2020, which included a full impairment charge to the remaining GES goodwill balance. Our remaining goodwill balance as of December 31, 2020 of $99.8 million pertains to our Pursuit business. We also recorded a non-cash impairment charge to intangible assets of $15.7 million during 2020 related to our U.S. audio-visual production business. The duration and impact of COVID-19 may result in additional future impairment charges as facts and circumstances evolve. Refer to Note 9 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for additional information.

Correction to Prior Period Financial Statements

Subsequent to the issuance of the December 31, 2019 consolidated financial statements, we identified prior period errors related to the recognition of revenue of GES’ Corporate Accounts’ third-party services. Revenue from these services should have been recorded on a net basis to reflect only the fees received for arranging these services, whereas previously, we recorded this revenue on a gross basis, thus overstating revenue and cost of services by the same amount. As a result, we corrected the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 related to this gross-to-net adjustment.

We determined that the error is not material to the previously issued financial statements. Note 2 – Revenue and Related Contract Costs and Contract Liabilities, Note 23 – Segment Information, and Note 24 – Selected Quarterly Financial Information reflect this correction.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2019						2018
(in thousands)	Services Revenue			Cost of Services			Services Revenue			Cost of Services
As previously reported	$	1,170,493		$	1,100,146		$	1,110,249		$	1,039,403
Gross to net correction for GES North America		(51,927	)		(51,927	)		(43,603	)		(43,603	)
Gross to net correction for GES EMEA		(17,032	)		(17,032	)		(15,257	)		(15,257	)
Total as corrected	$	1,101,534		$	1,031,187		$	1,051,389		$	980,543

Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. 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: impairment testing of recorded goodwill and intangible assets and long-lived assets; allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable; sales reserve allowances; 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; pension and postretirement benefit costs and obligations; share-based compensation costs; the discount rates used to value lease obligations; the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests; and the allocation of purchase price of acquired businesses. Actual results could differ from these and other estimates.

41

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

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 funds. Investments in money market funds are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value. Restricted cash represents collateral required for surety bonds and letters of credit.

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash balances presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	39,545	$	61,999
Restricted cash included in other current assets		2,426		5
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows	$	41,971	$	62,004

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

We state inventories, which consist primarily of exhibit design and construction materials and supplies, as well as retail inventory, 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.

Leases

We recognize a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and lease liability on the balance sheet and classify leases as either finance or operating leases. The classification of the lease determines whether the lease expense is recognized on an effective interest method basis (finance lease) or on a straight-line basis (operating lease) over the lease term. In determining whether an agreement contains a lease, we consider if we have a right to control the use of the underlying asset during the lease term in exchange for an obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. We recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities at commencement date, which is when the underlying asset is available for use to a lessee, based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term.

Our operating and finance leases are primarily facility, equipment, and land leases. Our facility leases comprise mainly manufacturing facilities, sales and design facilities, offices, storage and/or warehouses, and truck marshaling yards. These facility leases generally have lease terms ranging up to 23 years. Our equipment leases comprise mainly vehicles, hardware, and office equipment, each with various lease terms. Our land leases comprise mainly leases in Canada and Iceland on which our hotels or attractions are located and have lease terms ranging up to 47 years.

If a lease contains a renewal option that is reasonably certain to be exercised, then the lease term includes the optional periods in measuring a ROU asset and lease liability. The reasonably certain threshold is evaluated at lease commencement and is typically met if we identify substantial economic incentives or termination penalties. We do not include variable leases and variable non-lease components in the calculation of the ROU asset and corresponding lease liability. For facility leases, variable lease costs include the costs of common area maintenance, taxes, and insurance for which we pay our lessors an estimate that is adjusted to actual expense on a quarterly or annual basis depending on the underlying contract terms. We expense these variable lease payments as incurred. Our lease agreements do not contain any significant residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants.

Substantially all of our lease agreements do not specify an implicit borrowing rate, and as such, we utilize an incremental borrowing rate based on lease term and country, in order to calculate the present value of our future lease payments. The discount rate represents a risk-adjusted rate on a collateralized basis and is the expected rate at which we would borrow funds to satisfy the scheduled lease liability payment streams commensurate with the lease term and the country.  

We are also a lessor to third party tenants who either lease certain portions of facilities that we own or sublease certain portions of facilities that we lease. We record lease income from owned facilities as rental income and we record sublease income from leased

42

facilities against lease expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We classify all of our leases for which we are the lessor as operating leases.

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 had Company-owned life insurance contracts that were intended to fund the cost of certain employee compensation and benefit programs. These contracts were carried at cash surrender value, net of outstanding policy loans. The cash surrender value represented 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, were included as a component of “Costs of services” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In 2020, we terminated the life insurance policies and received cash proceeds of $24.8 million.

Self-Insurance Liabilities

We are self-insured up to certain limits for workers’ compensation and general liabilities, which includes automobile, product general liability, and client property loss claims. We have also retained and provided for certain workers’ compensation insurance liabilities in conjunction with previously sold operations. We are also self-insured for certain employee health benefits. Provisions for losses for claims incurred, including actuarially derived estimated claims incurred but not yet reported, are made based on historical experience, claims frequency, and other factors. We have 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 12 – Debt and Finance Lease Obligations for the estimated fair value of debt obligations.

Convertible Preferred Stock

We record shares of convertible preferred stock based on proceeds received net of costs on the date of issuance. Redeemable preferred stock (including preferred stock that features redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) is classified as temporary equity and is reported between liabilities and stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Noncontrolling Interests – Non-redeemable and Redeemable

Non-redeemable noncontrolling interest represents the portion of equity in a subsidiary that is not attributable, directly or indirectly, to us. Our non-redeemable noncontrolling interest relates to the 20% equity ownership interest that we do not own in Glacier Park, Inc., the 40% equity interest that we do not own in the Mountain Park Lodges, and the 49% equity interest that we do not own in the new entity that will operate the Pursuit Sky Lagoon attraction. We report non-redeemable noncontrolling interest within stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of consolidated net income or loss attributable to Viad and the non-redeemable noncontrolling interest is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  

We consider noncontrolling interests with redemption features that are not solely within our control to be redeemable noncontrolling interests. Our redeemable noncontrolling interest relates to our 54.5% equity ownership interest in Esja Attractions ehf. (“Esja”), which owns the FlyOver Iceland attraction. The Esja shareholders 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 in the Consolidated Statements of

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Operations and the accretion of the redemption value is recorded as an adjustment to retained earnings (deficit) and is included in our income (loss) per share. Refer to Note 22 – Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest for additional information.

Foreign Currency Translation

Our foreign operations are primarily in Canada, the United Kingdom, Iceland, 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 measured based on a specified amount of consideration in a contract with a customer, net of commissions paid to customers and amounts collected on behalf of third parties. We recognize revenue when a performance obligation is satisfied by transferring control of a product or service to a customer.

GES’ service revenue is primarily derived through its comprehensive range of services to event organizers and corporate brand marketers including Core Services, Event Technology, and Audio-visual. GES’ service revenue is earned over time over the duration of the exhibition, conference or corporate event, which generally lasts one to three days. Revenue for goods and services provided for which we do not have control of the goods or services before that good or service is transferred to a customer is recorded on a net basis to reflect only the fees received for arranging these services. GES’ product revenue is derived from the build of exhibits and environments and graphics. GES’ product revenue is recognized at a point in time upon delivery of the product.

Pursuit’s service revenue is derived through its admissions, accommodations, transportation, and travel planning services. Pursuit’s product revenue is derived through food and beverage and retail sales. Pursuit’s revenue is recognized at the time services are performed or upon delivery of the product. Pursuit’s service revenue is recognized over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits. Pursuit’s product revenue is recognized at a point in time.

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 awards, restricted stock units, performance units, and stock options, and contain forfeiture and non-compete provisions. We issue share-based payment awards from shares held in treasury. Future vesting is generally subject to continued employment. Holders of share-based awards 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.

We account for share-based payment awards that will be settled in cash as liability-based awards, which includes performance units and restricted stock units. We measure share-based compensation expense of liability-based awards at fair value at each reporting date until the date of settlement 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 reporting date based on our stock price and the Monte Carlo simulation model. A Monte Carlo simulation requires the use of several assumptions, including historical volatility and correlation between our stock price and the price of the common shares of a comparator group, a risk-free rate of return, and an expected term. Share-based compensation expense related to liability-based awards is recognized ratably over the requisite service period of approximately three years.

We account for share-based awards that will be settled in shares of our common stock as equity-based awards, which include performance units, restricted stock units, and restricted stock awards. We measure share-based compensation expense of equity-based awards at fair value on the grant date on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The estimated number of shares to be achieved is updated each reporting period based on the number of units expected to vest and, where applicable, the level of achievement of predefined performance goals, until the date of settlement. Share-based compensation expense related to equity-based awards is recognized ratably over the requisite service period ranging from three months to three years.

The fair value of stock option grants is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes stock option pricing model. We grant non-qualified stock options that are performance-based and service-based. The performance-based awards are recognized on a straight-line basis over the performance period ranging up to 3.4 years, and the underlying shares expected to be settled are adjusted each reporting period based on estimated future achievement of the respective performance metrics. The service-based awards are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period on a graded-vesting schedule over two years. The exercise price of stock options is based on the market value of our common stock at the date of grant.

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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 (Loss) Per Common Share

Diluted income per common share is calculated using the more dilutive of the two-class method or as-converted method. The two-class method uses net income available to common stockholders and assumes conversion of all potential shares other than the participating securities. The as-converted method uses net income and assumes conversion of all potential shares including the participating securities. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options, unvested restricted share units and convertible preferred stock. We apply the two-class method in calculating income per common share as unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends and preferred stock 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 2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40)	The amendment simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments by reducing the number of accounting models available for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock. The amendment also requires expanded disclosures about the terms and features of convertible instruments. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020.	1/1/2022	We are currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this new guidance on our consolidated financial statements and if there are applicable provisions that will simplify our accounting or reporting we will likely pursue early adoption.

Standard	Description	Date of adoption	Effect on the financial statements
Standards Recently Adopted
ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments	The amendment eliminates the incurred credit loss impairment methodology and replaces it with an expected credit loss concept based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.	1/1/2020	We adopted this new standard on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of this new standard on January 1, 2020 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)	The amendment provides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. Topic 848 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met.	3/12/2020	Topic 848 was effective beginning on March 12, 2020, and we will apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022. There was no impact to our consolidated financial statements as a result of adopting this amendment.
ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes	The amendment enhances and simplifies various aspects of the income tax accounting guidance, including requirements such as ownership changes in investments, and interim-period accounting for enacted changes in tax law.	1/1/2021	The adoption of this new standard on January 1, 2021 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 2. Revenue and Related Contract Costs and Contract Liabilities

GES’ performance obligations consist of services or product(s) outlined in a contract. While we often sign multi-year contracts for recurring events, the obligations for each occurrence are well defined and conclude upon the occurrence of each event. The obligations are typically the provision of services and/or sale of a product in connection with an exhibition, conference, or other event. Revenue for

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goods and services provided for which we do not have control of the goods or services before that good or service is transferred to a customer is recorded on a net basis to reflect only the fees received for arranging these services. We recognize revenue for services generally at the close of the exhibition, conference, or corporate event. We recognize revenue for products either upon delivery to the customer’s location, upon delivery to an event that we are serving, or when we have the right to invoice. In circumstances where a customer cancels a contract, we generally have the right to bill the customer for costs incurred to date. Payment terms are generally within 30-60 days and contain no significant financing components.

Pursuit’s performance obligations are short-term in nature. They include the provision of a hotel room, an attraction admission, a chartered or ticketed bus or van ride, the fulfillment of travel planning itineraries, and/or the sale of food, beverage, or retail products. Revenue is recognized when the service has been provided or the product has been delivered. When credit is extended, payment terms are generally within 30 days and contain no significant financing components.

Contract Liabilities

GES and Pursuit typically receive customer deposits prior to transferring the related product or service to the customer. We record these deposits as a contract liability, which are recognized as revenue upon satisfaction of the related contract performance obligation(s). GES also provides customer rebates and volume discounts to certain event organizers that we recognize as a reduction of revenue. We include these amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the captions “Contract liabilities” and “Other deferred items and liabilities.” The decrease in contract liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily due to the reduction of planned shows in the first half of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Changes to contract liabilities are as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2019	$	35,600
Cash additions		210,871
Revenue recognized		(196,158	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		483
Balance at December 31, 2019		50,796
Cash additions		154,057
Revenue recognized		(186,518	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		283
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	18,618

Contract Costs

GES capitalizes certain incremental costs incurred in obtaining and fulfilling contracts. Capitalized costs principally relate to direct costs of materials and services incurred in fulfilling services of future exhibitions, conferences, and events, and also include up-front incentives and commissions incurred upon contract signing. We expense costs associated with preliminary contract activities (i.e. proposal activities) as incurred. Capitalized contract costs are expensed upon the transfer of the related goods or services and are included in cost of services or cost of products, as applicable. We include the deferred incremental costs of obtaining and fulfilling contracts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the captions “Current contract costs” and “Other investments and assets.”

Changes to contract costs are as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2019	$	21,478
Additions		74,274
Expenses		(67,425	)
Cancelled		(68	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		237
Balance at December 31, 2019		28,496
Additions		19,517
Expenses		(25,381	)
Cancelled		(11,482	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(315	)
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	10,835

As of December 31, 2020, capitalized contract costs consisted of $0.9 million to obtain contracts and $9.9 million to fulfill contracts. We did not recognize an impairment loss with respect to capitalized contract costs during the years ended December 31, 2020 or 2019.

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Disaggregation of Revenue

The following tables disaggregate GES and Pursuit revenue by major product line, timing of revenue recognition, and markets served:

GES

	Year Ended December 31, 2020
(in thousands)	GES North America		GES EMEA		Intersegment Eliminations			Total
Services:
Core services	$	231,666	$	33,556	$	—		$	265,222
Audio-visual		20,148		4,126		—			24,274
Event technology		9,150		3,979		—			13,129
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(3,680	)		(3,680	)
Total services		260,964		41,661		(3,680	)		298,945
Products:
Core products		27,957		11,723		—			39,680
Total revenue	$	288,921	$	53,384	$	(3,680	)	$	338,625
Timing of revenue recognition:
Services transferred over time	$	260,964	$	41,661	$	(3,680	)	$	298,945
Products transferred over time(1)		13,068		2,449		—			15,517
Products transferred at a point in time		14,889		9,274		—			24,163
Total revenue	$	288,921	$	53,384	$	(3,680	)	$	338,625
Markets:
Exhibitions	$	211,953	$	40,077	$	—		$	252,030
Conferences		41,371		7,789		—			49,160
Corporate events		24,521		5,353		—			29,874
Consumer events		11,076		165		—			11,241
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(3,680	)		(3,680	)
Total revenue	$	288,921	$	53,384	$	(3,680	)	$	338,625

⁽¹⁾ GES’ graphics product revenue is earned over time over the duration of an event as it is considered a part of the single performance obligation satisfied over time.

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	Year Ended December 31, 2019
(in thousands)	GES North America		GES EMEA		Intersegment Eliminations			Total
Services:
Core services	$	701,721	$	113,900	$	—		$	815,621
Audio-visual		78,178		24,197		—			102,375
Event technology		29,600		9,749		—			39,349
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(20,741	)		(20,741	)
Total services		809,499		147,846		(20,741	)		936,604
Products:
Core products		74,606		68,713		—			143,319
Total revenue	$	884,105	$	216,559	$	(20,741	)	$	1,079,923
Timing of revenue recognition:
Services transferred over time	$	809,499	$	147,846	$	(20,741	)	$	936,604
Products transferred over time(1)		45,597		16,071		—			61,668
Products transferred at a point in time		29,009		52,642		—			81,651
Total revenue	$	884,105	$	216,559	$	(20,741	)	$	1,079,923
Markets:
Exhibitions	$	463,653	$	159,397	$	—		$	623,050
Conferences		253,511		24,499		—			278,010
Corporate events		139,935		31,627		—			171,562
Consumer events		27,006		1,036		—			28,042
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(20,741	)		(20,741	)
Total revenue	$	884,105	$	216,559	$	(20,741	)	$	1,079,923

⁽¹⁾ GES’ graphics product revenue is earned over time over the duration of an event as it is considered a part of the single performance obligation satisfied over time.

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	Year Ended December 31, 2018
(in thousands)	GES North America		GES EMEA		Intersegment Eliminations			Total
Services:
Core services	$	689,804	$	105,114	$	—		$	794,918
Audio-visual		73,331		22,011		—			95,342
Event technology		30,208		10,658		—			40,866
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(17,140	)		(17,140	)
Total services		793,343		137,783		(17,140	)		913,986
Products:
Core products		72,844		65,207		—			138,051
Total revenue	$	866,187	$	202,990	$	(17,140	)	$	1,052,037
Timing of revenue recognition:
Services transferred over time	$	793,343	$	137,783	$	(17,140	)	$	913,986
Products transferred over time(1)		44,109		16,084		—			60,193
Products transferred at a point in time		28,735		49,123		—			77,858
Total revenue	$	866,187	$	202,990	$	(17,140	)	$	1,052,037
Markets:
Exhibitions	$	486,400	$	149,338	$	—		$	635,738
Conferences		223,096		24,209		—			247,305
Corporate events		126,084		27,413		—			153,497
Consumer events		30,607		2,030		—			32,637
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(17,140	)		(17,140	)
Total revenue	$	866,187	$	202,990	$	(17,140	)	$	1,052,037

⁽¹⁾ GES’ graphics product revenue is earned over time over the duration of an event as it is considered a part of the single performance obligation satisfied over time.

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Pursuit

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2018
Services:
Admissions	$	19,939		$	85,371		$	83,000
Accommodations		29,800			60,672			37,470
Transportation		2,694			14,594			13,956
Travel planning		467			5,979			4,529
Intersegment eliminations		(317	)		(1,686	)		(1,551	)
Total services revenue		52,583			164,930			137,404
Products:
Food and beverage		10,295			31,838			25,962
Retail operations		13,932			26,045			21,921
Total products revenue		24,227			57,883			47,883
Total revenue	$	76,810		$	222,813		$	185,287
Timing of revenue recognition:
Services transferred over time	$	52,583		$	164,930		$	137,404
Products transferred at a point in time		24,227			57,883			47,883
Total revenue	$	76,810		$	222,813		$	185,287
Markets:
Banff Jasper Collection	$	46,913		$	133,229		$	106,106
Alaska Collection		6,282			39,406			36,451
Glacier Park Collection		17,596			37,121			31,465
FlyOver		6,019			13,057			11,265
Total revenue	$	76,810		$	222,813		$	185,287

Note 3. 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 (the “2017 Plan”). The 2017 Plan has a 10-year term and provides for the following types of awards: (a) incentive and non-qualified stock options; (b) restricted stock awards 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, 2020, there were 1,081,404 shares available for future grant under the 2017 Plan.

The following table summarizes share-based compensation (income) expense:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2018
Performance unit incentive plan (“PUP”)	$	(2,187	)	$	3,990		$	2,260
Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units		4,523			3,200			2,610
Stock options		317			—			—
Share-based compensation expense before income tax		2,653			7,190			4,870
Income tax benefit(1)		—			(2,241	)		(1,227	)
Share-based compensation expense, net of income tax	$	2,653		$	4,949		$	3,643

⁽¹⁾ There was no income tax benefit for the year ended 2020 due to the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. Refer to Note 17 – Income Taxes.

We recorded no share-based compensation expense through restructuring charges in 2020, $0.1 million in 2019, and none in 2018. No share-based compensation costs were capitalized during 2020, 2019, or 2018.

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PUP Awards

PUP awards are performance-based restricted stock units that are tied to our stock price and the expected achievement of certain performance-based criteria. The vesting of PUP award shares is based upon the achievement of the performance-based criteria over a three-year period. We account for PUP awards that will be settled in shares of our common stock as equity-based awards. We measure share-based compensation expense of equity-based awards at fair value on the grant date on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The estimated number of shares to be achieved is updated each reporting period. We account for PUP awards that will be settled in cash as liability-based awards. We measure share-based compensation expense of liability-based awards at fair value at each reporting date until the date of settlement. Forfeitures are recorded when they occur.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, we granted PUP awards with a grant date fair value of $4.8 million of which $1.8 million are payable in shares. Liabilities related to PUP awards were $0.8 million as of December 31, 2020 and $5.3 million as of December 31, 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the value of the PUP awards decreased due to the reduction of our estimated performance achievement and the decline in our stock price as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, PUP awards granted in 2017 vested and we paid $2.6 million in cash. No PUP awards were paid in shares in 2020. In 2019, PUP awards granted in 2016 vested and we paid $5.6 million in cash and $3.4 million in shares. In 2019, we withheld 25,771 shares for $1.5 million related to tax withholding requirements on vested PUP awards paid in shares. In 2018, PUP awards granted in 2015 vested and we paid $5.9 million in cash. No PUP awards were paid in shares in 2018.

The following table summarizes the activity of the outstanding PUP awards:

	Equity-Based PUP Awards					Liability-Based PUP Awards
	Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance at December 31, 2019		59,714		$	55.10		155,190		$	52.53
Granted		32,367		$	56.23		52,531		$	56.10
Vested		—		$	—		(67,866	)	$	47.43
Forfeited		(30,873	)	$	52.15		(18,370	)	$	56.40
Balance at December 31, 2020		61,208		$	57.18		121,485		$	56.34

Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units are service-based awards. We account for restricted stock awards and restricted stock units that will be settled in shares of our common stock as equity-based awards. We measure share-based compensation expense of equity-based awards at fair value on the grant date on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

We account for restricted stock units that will be settled in cash as liability-based awards. We measure share-based compensation expense of liability-based awards at fair value at each reporting date until the date of settlement. Forfeitures are recorded when they occur.

As of December 31, 2020, the unamortized cost of outstanding equity-based restricted stock awards and restricted stock units was $4.2 million, which we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.3 years. We repurchased 42,185 shares for $1.7 million during 2020, 24,995 shares for $1.5 million in 2019, and 22,358 shares for $1.2 million in 2018 related to tax withholding requirements on vested share-based awards.

Aggregate liabilities related to liability-based restricted stock units were $0.2 million as of December 31, 2020 and $0.4 million as of December 31, 2019. In 2020, restricted stock units vested, and we paid $0.2 million in cash and $2.0 million in shares. In 2019, restricted stock units vested, and we paid $0.6 million in cash and $0.2 million in shares. In 2018, the 2015 restricted stock units vested and we paid $0.2 million in cash.

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The following table summarizes the activity of the outstanding restricted stock awards and restricted stock units:

	Equity-Based Restricted Stock Awards					Equity-Based Restricted Stock Units					Liability-Based 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, 2019		136,123		$	52.66		—		$	—		11,623		$	52.17
Granted		55,171		$	51.06		232,435		$	19.44		3,952		$	50.43
Vested		(66,054	)	$	49.99		(77,725	)	$	19.30		(2,815	)	$	47.45
Forfeited		(18,133	)	$	54.11		(3,449	)	$	19.47		(2,301	)	$	56.13
Balance at December 31, 2020		107,107		$	53.23		151,261		$	19.51		10,459		$	51.91

Stock Options

We grant non-qualified stock options that are performance-based, as well as non-qualified stock options that are service-based. The performance-based awards are recognized on a straight-line basis over the performance period ranging from 1.0 to 3.4 years, and the underlying shares expected to be settled are adjusted each reporting period based on estimated future achievement of the respective performance metrics. The service-based awards are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period on a graded-vesting schedule over two years.

The following table summarizes stock option activity:

	Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value(1)
Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2019		41,143		$	16.62
Granted		204,150		$	19.98
Exercised		(41,143	)	$	16.62
Options outstanding at December 31, 2020		204,150		$	19.98	$	3,305,928
Options exercisable at December 31, 2020		—		$	—	$	—

⁽¹⁾ The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding represents the difference between our closing stock price at the end of the reporting period and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money stock options.  

The following table summarizes stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2020:

		Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
Range of exercise prices		Shares		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)		Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price
$	19.30		150,000		8.00	$	19.30		—	$	—
$	21.85		54,150		6.65	$	21.85		—	$	—
$19.30 - $21.85			204,150		7.64	$	19.98		—	$	—

The fair value of stock options granted in 2020 was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes stock option pricing model.

Following is additional information on stock options and the underlying assumptions used in assessing fair value:

	Year Ended
	December 31, 2020
Assumptions used to estimate fair value of stock options granted:
Risk-free interest rate	0.27% - 0.31%
Expected life	4.3 - 5.4 years
Expected volatility	46.9% - 52.2%
Expected dividend yield		—
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share of options granted	$	8.38
Cash received from exercise of options (in thousands)	$	2,077

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As of December 31, 2020, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards was $1.4 million. We expect to recognize such costs over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.1 years. No stock options were granted in 2019 or 2018.

Note 4. Acquisitions

2019 Acquisitions

Belton Chalet

On May 16, 2019, we acquired the Belton Chalet in Glacier National Park for total cash consideration of $3.2 million. Transaction costs associated with the acquisition were $0.3 million during 2019, which are included in “Cost of services” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We included these assets in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

Mountain Park Lodges

On June 8, 2019, we acquired a 60% equity interest in Mountain Park Lodges’ group of seven hotels and an undeveloped land parcel located in Jasper National Park for total consideration of $100.6 million Canadian dollars (approximately $76 million U.S. dollars).

As the majority owner of these properties, we consolidate 100% of the results of operations in our consolidated financial statements and record the 40% owners’ share of the net income or loss attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interest.

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 acquisition.

(in thousands)
Purchase price paid as:
Cash			$	75,837
Net working capital adjustment				18
Consideration transferred				75,855
Right to manage				(1,276	)
Purchase price, net				74,579
Fair value of net assets acquired:
Accounts receivable	$	333
Inventories		152
Prepaid expenses		276
Property and equipment		103,642
Intangible assets		20,180
Total assets acquired		124,583
Accounts payable		329
Advanced deposits payable		400
Deferred tax liability		19,734
Other liabilities		16
Total liabilities assumed		20,479
Noncontrolling interest equity		49,719
Total fair value of net assets acquired				54,385
Excess purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired (“goodwill”)			$	20,194

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the purchase price as shown in the table above is allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired was recorded as “Goodwill.” Goodwill is included in the Pursuit business group. The primary factor that contributed to the purchase price resulting in the recognition of goodwill related to future growth opportunities when combined with our other businesses. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The estimated values of current assets and liabilities were based upon their historical costs on the acquisition date due to their short-term nature.

Transaction costs associated with the Mountain Park Lodges were $0.9 million in 2019 and $0.1 million in 2018, which are included in “Corporate activities” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The results of operations of Mountain Park Lodges have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

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Identifiable intangible assets acquired in the Mountain Park Lodges acquisition were $20.2 million and consist primarily of in-place leases, customer relationships, and trade names. The weighted average amortization period related to the intangible assets was approximately 30.8 years.

Sky Lagoon Attraction

On July 25, 2019, we announced plans for a new geothermal lagoon attraction that is located on an oceanfront lot just outside downtown Reykjavik, Iceland. We acquired a 51% controlling interest for $13.2 million in the new entity that will manage the Sky Lagoon attraction, which we will operate in partnership with Geothermal Lagoon ehf., the Icelandic entity that owns the lagoon assets. The noncontrolling interest’s carrying value was determined by the fair value of the noncontrolling interest as of the acquisition date and the noncontrolling interest’s share of the subsequent net income or loss. The amortization of the resulting operating contract intangible is not deductible for tax purposes. We expect to open our new attraction in the second quarter of 2021.

Supplementary pro forma financial information

The following table summarizes the unaudited pro forma results of operations attributable to Viad, assuming the completion of the Mountain Park Lodges acquisition was on January 1, 2018. We do not consider the Sky Lagoon attraction or the Belton Chalet significant acquisitions and accordingly, they are not included in the following pro forma results of operations:

(in thousands, except per share data)	Year Ended December 31, 2019		Year Ended December 31, 2018
Revenue	$	1,310,997	$	1,264,664
Depreciation and amortization	$	61,597	$	62,261
Income from continuing operations	$	22,195	$	48,312
Net income attributable to Viad	$	21,337	$	49,070
Diluted income per share	$	0.99	$	2.39
Basic income per share	$	0.99	$	2.40

2018 Acquisition

Maligne Canyon Restaurant

In March 2018, we acquired the Maligne Canyon Restaurant and Gift Shop for total cash consideration of $6.0 million Canadian dollars (approximately $4.6 million U.S. dollars).  Transaction costs associated with the acquisition were $24 thousand in 2018, 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. The Maligne Canyon Restaurant has been renovated and rebranded as the Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen.

Note 5. Inventories

The components of inventories consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Raw materials	$	3,362	$	11,788
Finished goods		5,365		5,481
Inventories	$	8,727	$	17,269

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Note 6. Other Current Assets

Other current assets consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Prepaid insurance	$	4,297	$	5,573
Prepaid software maintenance		3,058		3,875
Restricted cash		2,426		5
Prepaid vendor payments		1,835		4,698
Prepaid taxes		345		917
Income tax receivable		337		13,250
Prepaid other		1,296		1,904
Other		3,631		632
Other current assets	$	17,225	$	30,854

Note 7. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019
Land and land interests(1)	$	32,849		$	34,532
Buildings and leasehold improvements		386,751			377,754
Equipment and other		401,288			417,239
Gross property and equipment		820,888			829,525
Accumulated depreciation		(352,100	)		(353,974	)
Property and equipment, net (excluding finance leases)		468,788			475,551
Finance lease ROU assets, net		23,366			25,350
Property and equipment, net	$	492,154		$	500,901

⁽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 $8.3 million as of December 31, 2020 and $8.2 million as of December 31, 2019. These land interests are not subject to amortization.

Depreciation expense was $46.5 million during 2020, $45.6 million during 2019, and $45.8 million during 2018.

Property and equipment purchased through accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased $6.9 million during 2020, increased $4.2 million during 2019, and decreased $1.9 million during 2018.

We recorded fixed asset impairment charges of $1.6 million during 2020 primarily related to capitalized software and $3.8 million to equipment during 2019 primarily related to our audio-visual production business in the United Kingdom.

Note 8. Other Investments and Assets

Other investments and assets consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Self-insured liability receivable	$	6,358	$	9,982
Other mutual funds		3,457		3,107
Contract costs		2,912		3,961
Cash surrender value of life insurance		—		24,873
Other		2,765		3,196
Other investments and assets	$	15,492	$	45,119

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Note 9. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

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

(in thousands)	GES North America			GES EMEA			Pursuit			Total
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	154,944		$	29,954		$	76,432		$	261,330
Business acquisitions		—			—			20,684			20,684
Foreign currency translation adjustments		332			875			4,762			5,969
Balance at December 31, 2019		155,276			30,829			101,878			287,983
Goodwill impairment		(154,989	)		(29,042	)		(1,758	)		(185,789	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(287	)		(1,787	)		1,659			(415	)
Other		—			—			(1,932	)		(1,932	)
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	—		$	—		$	99,847		$	99,847

The following table summarizes goodwill by reporting unit and segment:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
GES:
GES North America:
U.S.	$	—	$	148,277
Canada		—		6,999
GES EMEA		—		30,829
Total GES		—		186,105
Pursuit:
Banff Jasper Collection		54,856		55,524
Alaska Collection		3,184		3,184
Glacier Park Collection		—		1,758
FlyOver		41,807		41,412
Total Pursuit		99,847		101,878
Total Goodwill	$	99,847	$	287,983

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) to estimate the fair value of our reporting units for purposes of goodwill impairment testing.

In early March 2020, as a result of COVID-19 concerns, we began to see event postponements and cancellations at GES, as well as cancelled bookings at Pursuit. This quickly escalated into the shut-down of event activity and tourism as government mandated closures and stay-at-home orders went more broadly into effect around the world. As demand halted, we essentially placed our businesses into a state of hibernation to preserve cash. As government mandated closures and stay-at-home orders started to be lifted, we began to restart our business with enhanced health and safety protocols in place. We phased in most of Pursuit’s attractions and lodging operations starting in May 2020. However, exhibition and event activity remain largely dormant. For GES, we believe that as governments continue to lift restrictions, events in certain geographies will gradually increase.

During the first quarter of 2020, we determined that an interim triggering event had occurred due to the deteriorating macroeconomic environment related to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in disruptions to our operations and the decline in our stock price. As such, we performed an interim evaluation of goodwill as of March 31, 2020. As a result, we recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $41.9 million associated with GES U.S., $29.0 million associated with GES EMEA, and $1.8 million associated with Pursuit’s Glacier Park Collection. We recorded an income tax benefit of $12.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020 related to these goodwill impairment charges. This income tax benefit was reversed during the second quarter of 2020 due to the recording of a valuation allowance. Refer to Note 17 – Income Taxes.

During the second quarter of 2020, GES continued to experience event postponements and cancellations and we experienced further declines in our stock price. There was also an increased spread of the COVID-19 virus throughout the United States, which resulted in further closures and government orders that we believed had increased the uncertainty regarding when the live event industry would re-commence and how long it would take to get back to similar pre-COVID-19 business levels. The uncertainty regarding the duration of the current domestic and global economic conditions and whether further deterioration in the macroeconomic environment would

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continue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic was factored into our second quarter goodwill impairment analysis. As a result, we recorded a full impairment charge to the remaining GES goodwill balance of $113.1 million during the second quarter of 2020. Our remaining goodwill balance as of December 31, 2020 of $99.8 million pertains to our Pursuit business.

Although Pursuit’s reporting units continued to operate at a loss due to travel restrictions, we did not record any additional impairment charges during the third or fourth quarter of 2020 as there were no significant changes to our outlook for the future years and the risk profile of the reporting units had not changed. Additionally, we experienced a slight increase in our stock price during the third and fourth quarters of 2020 once news of a vaccine was announced and the vaccine was rolled out.

Given the evolving nature of COVID-19 and the uncertain government and consumer reactions, the estimates and assumptions regarding expected future cash flows, discount rates, and terminal values used in our goodwill impairment analysis require considerable judgment and are based on our current estimates of market conditions, financial forecasts, and industry trends. These estimates, however, have inherent uncertainties and different assumptions could lead to materially different results including additional impairment charges in the future.

Our accumulated goodwill impairment was $415.5 million as of December 31, 2020 and $229.7 million as of December 31, 2019.

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:

		December 31, 2020							December 31, 2019
(in thousands)	Useful Life (Years)	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Customer contracts and relationships	6.4	$	38,214	$	(26,288	)	$	11,926	$	72,219	$	(40,866	)	$	31,353
Operating contracts and licenses	36.7		42,012		(2,405	)		39,607		43,329		(1,881	)		41,448
In-place lease	13.3		15,347		(656	)		14,691		15,044		(231	)		14,813
Tradenames	5.3		5,940		(2,435	)		3,505		9,423		(4,338	)		5,085
Non-compete agreements	1.0		770		(616	)		154		2,077		(1,775	)		302
Other	7.2		818		(102	)		716		802		(66	)		736
Total amortized intangible assets			103,101		(32,502	)		70,599		142,894		(49,157	)		93,737
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Business licenses			573		—			573		571		—			571
Other intangible assets		$	103,674	$	(32,502	)	$	71,172	$	143,465	$	(49,157	)	$	94,308

Intangible asset amortization expense was $6.4 million during 2020, $10.6 million during 2019, and $11.0 million during 2018. We recorded a non-cash impairment charge to intangible assets of $15.7 million during 2020 related our U.S audio-visual production business and $1.5 million during 2019 related to our United Kingdom audio-visual production business. The duration and impact of COVID-19 may result in additional future impairment charges as facts and circumstances evolve.

At December 31, 2020, the estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization is as follows:

(in thousands)
Year ending December 31,
2021	$	5,216
2022		5,129
2023		4,466
2024		3,510
2025		2,218
Thereafter		50,060
Total	$	70,599

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Note 10. Other Current Liabilities

Other current liabilities consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Continuing operations:
Self-insured liability	$	5,715	$	5,668
Accrued interest payable		3,042		399
Accrued restructuring		2,479		2,130
Accrued employee benefit costs		2,363		3,564
Current portion of pension and postretirement liabilities		1,805		1,899
Accrued professional fees		1,691		1,248
Accrued sales and use taxes		1,547		5,451
Commissions payable		903		8,274
Accommodation services deposits		304		959
Accrued legal settlement		—		2,500
Accrued dividends		—		2,019
Other taxes		1,872		278
Other		4,819		4,788
Total continuing operations		26,540		39,177
Discontinued operations:
Environmental remediation liabilities		61		311
Self-insured liability		347		260
Other		91		76
Total discontinued operations		499		647
Total other current liabilities	$	27,039	$	39,824

Note 11. Other Deferred Items and Liabilities

Other deferred items and liabilities consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Continuing operations:
Foreign deferred tax liability	$	21,336	$	32,570
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal liability		15,864		15,693
Self-insured liability		6,662		8,682
Self-insured excess liability		6,358		9,982
Accrued compensation		5,821		7,485
Accrued restructuring		2,751		2,383
Contract liabilities		23		125
Other		1,456		2,423
Total continuing operations		60,271		79,343
Discontinued operations:
Environmental remediation liabilities		2,179		1,964
Self-insured liability		1,639		2,018
Other		539		382
Total discontinued operations		4,357		4,364
Total other deferred items and liabilities	$	64,628	$	83,707

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Note 12. Debt and Finance Lease Obligations

The components of debt and finance lease obligations consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands, except interest rates)	2020			2019
2018 Credit Facility, 4.5% weighted-average interest rate at December 31, 2020 and 3.9% at December 31, 2019, due through 2023(1)	$	266,762		$	311,464
FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility, 4.9% weighted-average interest rate at December 31, 2020 and 2019, due through 2023(1)		5,820			5,607
FlyOver Iceland Term Loans, 3.8% weighted-average interest rate at December 31, 2020, due through 2024(1)		705			—
Less unamortized debt issuance costs		(2,737	)		(1,836	)
Total debt(2)		270,550			315,235
Finance lease obligations, 8.0% weighted-average interest rate at December 31,   2020 and 7.7% at December 31, 2019, due through 2039		23,141			25,257
Total debt and finance lease obligations(3)		293,691			340,492
Current portion(4)		(8,335	)		(5,330	)
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations	$	285,356		$	335,162

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

⁽²⁾ The weighted-average interest rate on total debt (including unamortized debt issuance costs and commitment fees) was 4.6% for 2020, 4.2% for 2019 and 4.3% for 2018. The estimated fair value of total debt and finance leases was $254.0 million as of December 31, 2020 and $304.0 million as of December 31, 2019. The fair value of debt was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using rates currently available for debt of similar terms and maturity, which is a Level 2 measurement. Refer to Note 13 – Fair Value Measurements.

⁽³⁾ Cash paid for interest on debt was $14.0 million during 2020, $11.9 million during 2019, and $8.5 million during 2018.

⁽⁴⁾ Subsequent to the filing of our 2019 Form 10-K, we identified a correction related to the classification of the 2018 Credit Facility (as defined below) from current to long-term given that the 2018 Credit Facility’s contractual maturity was not within 12 months of the balance sheet date, and we were in compliance with all applicable covenants as of December 31, 2019. As a result, we corrected the classification of the debt on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet and the disclosure related to classification of debt in the table above as of December 31, 2019 to present the 2018 Credit Facility as long-term. Except for this change, the correction had no impact upon this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We determined that the error is not material to the previously issued financial statements.

2018 Credit Agreement

Effective October 24, 2018, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2018 Credit Agreement”). The 2018 Credit Agreement has a maturity date of October 24, 2023 and provides for a $450 million revolving credit facility (“2018 Credit Facility”). The 2018 Credit Facility may be increased up to an additional $250 million under certain circumstances and has a $20 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 2018 Credit Agreement have a first perfected security interest in all of our personal property. Dividends are permitted up to $15 million in any calendar year. In addition, we can declare and pay dividends or repurchase our common stock up to $20 million per calendar year. Dividends and repurchases above those thresholds are permitted as long as our pro forma leverage ratio is less than or equal to 2.75 to 1.00. Unsecured debt is allowed provided we are in compliance with the leverage ratio. In addition, the unsecured debt must mature after the expiration of the 2018 Credit Facility, cannot have scheduled principal payments while the 2018 Credit Facility is in place, and any covenants for unsecured debt cannot be more restrictive than the 2018 Credit Facility. Significant other covenants include limitations on investments, additional indebtedness, sales and dispositions of assets, and liens on property. As of December 31, 2020, we were not in compliance with our financial covenants, however, we obtained financial covenant relief until September 30, 2022 pursuant to the amendment to the 2018 Credit Agreement described below.

Effective August 5, 2020, we entered into an amendment to the 2018 Credit Agreement, which, among other things, (i) waives our financial covenants until September 30, 2022 (the “Covenant Waiver Period”) and (ii) requires us to maintain minimum liquidity of $100 million, with liquidity defined as unrestricted cash and available capacity on our 2018 Credit Facility. The Covenant Waiver Period will be in effect until the earlier of September 30, 2022 or the fiscal quarter when our leverage ratio is less than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00. Post Covenant Waiver Period, the maximum leverage ratio will be less than or equal to 4.50 to 1.00 at September 30, 2022 with a step down to less than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00 at December 31, 2022 and thereafter until the maturity date. The minimum interest coverage ratio will be greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00 post Covenant Waiver Period and until maturity of the facility. The interest rate on the borrowings is equal to LIBOR plus 350 basis points, with a LIBOR floor of one percent, during the Covenant Waiver Period. The

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LIBOR floor continues until the end of the 2018 Credit Agreement. A revised pricing grid goes into effect after the Covenant Waiver Period ends. Additionally, we are precluded from paying cash dividends, from issuing unsecured debt, and from accessing the $250 million expansion feature during the Covenant Waiver Period. The amendment allows us to make acquisitions under certain conditions. In connection with the amendment, Viad pledged 100% of the capital stock of its wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries and its top-tier foreign subsidiaries (other than Esja). Fees related to the amendment were approximately $1.7 million. Refer to Note 1 – Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Impact of COVID-19) for additional information.

As of December 31, 2020, capacity remaining under the 2018 Credit Facility was $173.5 million, reflecting borrowings of $266.8 million and $9.7 million in outstanding letters of credit.

We index borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility to the prime rate or the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), plus appropriate spreads tied to our leverage ratio. As LIBOR will begin to be phased out in 2021, our 2018 Credit Facility includes a method for determining an alternative or successor rate of interest that gives consideration to the new prevailing market convention. The vast majority of our borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility are indexed to LIBOR. Commitment fees and letters of credit fees are also tied to our leverage ratio. The fees on the unused portion of the 2018 Credit Facility were 0.50% annually as of December 31, 2020. Only our borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility and the discount rates we use to account for some leases are indexed to LIBOR. We do not expect the alternative or successor rate to LIBOR to have a material impact on either our 2018 Credit Facility or the accounting for our leases.

FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility

Effective February 15, 2019, FlyOver Iceland ehf., (“FlyOver Iceland”) a wholly-owned subsidiary of Esja, entered into a credit agreement with a €5.0 million (approximately $5.6 million U.S. dollars) credit facility (the “FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility”) with a maturity date of March 1, 2022. The loan proceeds were used to complete the development of the FlyOver Iceland attraction. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we entered into an addendum to the FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility effective January 8, 2021 wherein the principal payments were deferred for twelve months beginning December 1, 2020, with the first payment due December 1, 2021. The addendum also extended the maturity date to September 1, 2023. There were no other changes to the terms of the FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility. We obtained a waiver of certain covenants to the FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility through December 2020. We expect to be unable to meet our financial covenants under the FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility beginning with the six months ending June 30, 2021, and as a result, the €4.8 million (approximately $5.8 million U.S. dollars) balance outstanding as of December 31, 2020 has been classified as a current liability. We intend to seek a waiver for the June 30, 2021 financial covenants.

FlyOver Iceland Term Loans

During 2020, FlyOver Iceland entered into three term loans totaling ISK 90.0 million (approximately $0.7 million U.S. dollars) (the “FlyOver Iceland Term Loans”). The first term loan for ISK 10.0 million was entered into effective October 15, 2020 with a maturity date of April 1, 2023 and bears interest on a seven-day term deposit at the Central Bank of Iceland. The second term loan for ISK 30.0 million was entered into effective October 15, 2020 with a maturity date of October 1, 2024 and bears interest on a seven-day term deposit at the Central Bank of Iceland plus 3.07%. The third term loan for ISK 50.0 million was entered into effective December 29, 2020 with a maturity date of February 1, 2023 and bears interest at one-month Reykjavik InterBank Offered Rate (“REIBOR”) plus 4.99%. The Icelandic State Treasury guarantees supplemental loans provided by credit institutions to companies impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, the Icelandic State Treasury guaranteed the repayment of up to 85% of the principal and interest on the ISK 10.0 million and ISK 30.0 million term loans and 70% of the principal amount on the ISK 50.0 million term loan. Loan proceeds will be used to fund operations.

Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt (excluding finance leases) as of December 31, 2020 are as follows:

(in thousands)	Credit Facilities
Year ending December 31,
2021	$	5,820
2022		53
2023		267,306
2024		108
2025		—
Thereafter		—
Total	$	273,287

The aggregate annual maturities and the related amounts representing interest on finance lease obligations are included in Note 20 – Leases and Other.

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Note 13. Fair Value Measurements

The fair value of an asset or liability is defined as the price that would be received by selling an asset or paying 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, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	2	$	2	$	—	$	—
Other mutual funds(2)		3,457		3,457		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	3,459	$	3,459	$	—	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2019		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	123	$	123	$	—	$	—
Other mutual funds(2)		3,107		3,107		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	3,230	$	3,230	$	—	$	—

⁽¹⁾ We include money market funds in “Cash and cash equivalents” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We classify these investments as available-for-sale and recorded them 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⁾ We include other mutual funds in “Other investments and assets” 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 nature of these instruments. Refer to Note 12 – Debt and Finance Lease Obligations for the estimated fair value of debt obligations.

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Note 14. Income (Loss) Per Share

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

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2020			2019			2018
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad (diluted)	$	(374,094	)	$	22,035		$	49,170
Less: Allocation to non-vested shares		—			(147	)		(458	)
Convertible preferred stock dividends		(3,006	)		—			—
Adjustment to the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest		(926	)		(1,318	)		(251	)
Net income (loss) allocated to Viad common stockholders (basic)	$	(378,026	)	$	20,570		$	48,461
Basic weighted-average outstanding common shares		20,279			20,146			20,168
Additional dilutive shares related to share-based compensation		—			138			236
Diluted weighted-average outstanding shares		20,279			20,284			20,404
Income (loss) per share:
Basic income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	(18.64	)	$	1.02		$	2.40
Diluted income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders(1)	$	(18.64	)	$	1.02		$	2.40

⁽¹⁾ Diluted loss per share amount cannot exceed basic loss per share.

We excluded the following weighted-average potential common shares from the calculations of diluted net income (loss) per common share during the applicable periods because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Convertible preferred stock (as converted to common stock)		6,406,324		—		—
Unvested restricted share-based awards		115,089		8,000		500
Stock options		24,205		—		—

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Note 15. Common and Preferred Stock

Preferred Stock

We authorized two million shares of Junior Participating Preferred Stock, none of which was outstanding on December 31, 2020 and five million shares of Preferred Stock of which 135,000 shares are outstanding.

Convertible Series A Preferred Stock

On August 5, 2020, we entered into an Investment Agreement with funds managed by private equity firm Crestview Partners, relating to the issuance of 135,000 shares of newly issued Convertible Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $135 million or $1,000 per share. The $135 million issuance was offset in part by $9.2 million of expenses related to the capital raise. The Investment Agreement also includes a delayed draw commitment of up to $45 million in additional Convertible Series A Preferred Stock, which we may access during the 12 months following the August 5, 2020 closing date on the same terms and conditions as the initial investment. We have classified the convertible preferred stock as temporary equity in our Consolidated Balance Sheet due to the existence of certain change in control provisions that are not solely within our control.

The Convertible Series A Preferred Stock carries a 5.5% cumulative quarterly dividend, which is payable in cash or in-kind at Viad’s option and is convertible at the option of the holders into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $21.25 per share. Upon the occurrence of a change in control event, the holders have a right to require Viad to repurchase such preferred stock. During the year ended December 31, 2020, $3.0 million of dividends were deemed declared and paid in-kind.

Holders of the Convertible Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote with holders of Viad’s common stock on an as-converted basis.

Common Stock Repurchases

Our Board of Directors previously authorized us to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices. Effective February 7, 2019, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 500,000 shares. In March 2020, our Board of Directors suspended our share repurchase program for the foreseeable future. Prior to the suspension, we repurchased 53,784 shares on the open market for $2.8 million in 2020. No shares were repurchased on the open market during 2019. During 2018, we repurchased 340,473 shares on the open market for $17.2 million. As of December 31, 2020, 546,283 shares remain available for repurchase. Additionally, we repurchase shares related to tax withholding requirements on vested restricted stock awards. Refer to Note 3 – Share-Based Compensation.

Stockholder Rights Plan

On March 29, 2020, our Board of Directors adopted a short-term stockholder rights plan and declared a dividend payable to stockholders of record on April 13, 2020 of one preferred stock purchase right per each outstanding share of Viad common stock to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of Viad’s Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $115. Our Board of Directors will be able to redeem the rights at $0.01 per right at any time before a person or group acquired 10% (20% in the case of a passive institutional investor) or more of the outstanding common stock. On August 5, 2020, the stockholder rights plan was amended, whereby Crestview and affiliated parties were designated as exempt persons, and as such, the issuance of preferred stock to Crestview did not result in a triggering event. The rights expired on February 28, 2021 in accordance with its original terms.

Subject to limited exceptions, if a person or group acquired 10% (20% in the case of a passive institutional investor) or more of our common stock (including shares that were synthetically owned pursuant to derivative transactions or ownership of derivative securities) or announced a tender offer, and the consummation of that offer would have resulted in such ownership (we refer to such a person or group as an “acquiring person”), each right entitled its holder to purchase, at the right’s then-current exercise price, a number of shares of common stock having a market value at that time of twice the right’s exercise price. Rights held by the acquiring person would have become void and would not be exercisable. If the Company had been acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction that had not been approved by our Board of Directors after the rights would have become exercisable, each right would have entitled its holder to purchase, at the right’s then-current exercise price, a number of shares of the acquiring company’s common stock having a market value at that time of twice the right’s exercise price.

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Note 16. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component are as follows:

(in thousands)	Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Unrecognized Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Credit, Net			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	(36,332	)	$	(11,643	)	$	(47,975	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		12,533			(10	)		12,523
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		—			(247	)		(247	)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		12,533			(257	)		12,276
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	(23,799	)	$	(11,900	)	$	(35,699	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		7,113			(27	)		7,086
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		—			(2,028	)		(2,028	)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		7,113			(2,055	)		5,058
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	(16,686	)	$	(13,955	)	$	(30,641	)

Amounts reclassified that relate to our defined benefit pension and postretirement plans include the amortization of prior service costs and actuarial net losses recognized during each period presented. These costs are recorded as components of net periodic cost for each period presented. Refer to Note 18 – Pension and Postretirement Benefits for additional information.

Note 17. 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 U.S. enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) that significantly changed U.S. tax law. One part of this Tax Act required the Company to pay a deemed repatriation tax of $5.2 million on its cumulative foreign E&P.  After application of tax payments and credits, $1.0 million of the liability remains outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and is due in 2024.

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

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2018
Foreign	$	(95,919	)	$	49,171		$	54,753
United States		(264,940	)		(23,061	)		10,256
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(360,859	)	$	26,110		$	65,009

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

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2018
Current:
United States:
Federal	$	(128	)	$	(2,260	)	$	41
State		674			1,400			(335	)
Foreign		(1,397	)		13,764			12,039
Total current		(851	)		12,904			11,745
Deferred:
United States:
Federal		17,171			(3,355	)		1,860
State		2,896			(1,619	)		860
Foreign		(4,970	)		(5,424	)		2,630
Total deferred		15,097			(10,398	)		5,350
Income tax expense	$	14,246		$	2,506		$	17,095

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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)	2020					2019					2018
Computed income tax (benefit) expense at statutory federal income tax rate	$	(75,780	)	21.0	%	$	5,483		21.0	%	$	13,665		21.0	%
State income tax (benefit), net of federal benefit		(4,138	)	1.1	%		(173	)	(0.2	)%		3,489		5.4	%
Deemed mandatory repatriation state tax		—		0.0	%		—		0.0	%		(909	)	(1.4	)%
Deemed mandatory repatriation federal tax, net of foreign tax credit		—		0.0	%		—		0.0	%		(1,690	)	(2.6	)%
Remeasurement of deferred taxes due to change in tax rates		—		0.0	%		(4,517	)	(17.3	)%		(510	)	(0.8	)%
Foreign tax rate differential		(401	)	0.1	%		3,122		12.0	%		4,138		6.4	%
U.S. tax (benefit) on current year foreign earnings, net of foreign tax credits		—		0.0	%		(1,792	)	(6.9	)%		(223	)	(0.3	)%
Goodwill impairment		16,471		(4.6	)%		—		0.0	%		—		0.0	%
Change in valuation allowance		77,369		(21.3	)%		920		1.8	%		(653	)	(1.0	)%
Other adjustments, net		725		(0.2	)%		(537	)	(0.8	)%		(212	)	(0.3	)%
Income tax expense	$	14,246		(3.9	)%	$	2,506		9.6	%	$	17,095		26.4	%

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

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019
Deferred tax assets:
Tax credit carryforwards	$	5,326		$	7,879
Pension, compensation, and other employee benefits		11,991			17,231
Provisions for losses		4,623			4,778
Net operating loss carryforwards		44,358			5,371
State income taxes		—			3,089
Leases		660			—
Goodwill and other intangible assets		18,055			—
Other deferred income tax assets		14,175			2,177
Total deferred tax assets		99,188			40,525
Valuation allowance		(81,795	)		(4,276	)
Foreign deferred tax assets included above		(7,717	)		(2,351	)
United States net deferred tax assets		9,676			33,898
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		(24,017	)		(20,681	)
Goodwill and other intangible assets		(8,846	)		(16,172	)
Leases		(857	)		—
Life insurance		—			(3,945	)
Other deferred income tax liabilities		(4,485	)		(1,858	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(38,205	)		(42,656	)
Foreign deferred tax liabilities included above		28,490			31,192
United States net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	(39	)	$	22,434

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. In determining the recoverability of our deferred assets, we considered our cumulative loss incurred over the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 in each tax jurisdiction. Given the weight of objectively verifiable historical losses from our operations, we recorded a valuation allowance on all deferred tax assets in the U.S., United Kingdom, Germany, and Switzerland. We had gross deferred tax assets of $99.2 million as of December 31, 2020 and $40.5 million as of December 31, 2019.

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The valuation allowance was $81.8 million at December 31, 2020 and $4.3 million at December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to an increase for net operating losses, credit carryforwards, and deferred tax assets that do not meet the more likely-than-not threshold for recognition.  

As of December 31, 2020, foreign tax credit carryforwards were $4.5 million, of which $3.8 million are foreign tax credits against U.S. income tax, which will begin to expire in 2022 and $0.7 million are creditable against United Kingdom taxes, which can be carried forward indefinitely. As of December 31, 2020, we had $0.7 million of U.S. research and development credit carryforwards.

We had gross federal, state, and foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $371.2 million as of December 31, 2020 and $55.2 million as of December 31, 2019, for which we had deferred tax assets of $44.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and $5.4 million as of December 31, 2019. Certain state net operating loss carryforwards of $181.5 million expire from 2020 through 2039, although many states now have unlimited carryforwards. We recorded a valuation allowance on all net operating losses except losses generated in Canada, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Poland. The Canadian net operating loss carryforwards of $28.4 million may be carried back three years and carried forward 20 years. The net operating losses of Iceland and Poland of $8.8 million will expire between five and ten years. The remaining amount of foreign net operating losses of $25.6 million may be carried forward indefinitely.

We have not recorded deferred taxes for withholding taxes on current unremitted earnings of our subsidiaries located in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands as we expect to reinvest those earnings in operations outside of the U.S.

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 “Other deferred items and liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets unless expected to be paid or released within one year. We had liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions of $0.3 million as of December 31, 2020 and $0.2 million as of December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2020, these amounts do not include any accrual of interest nor penalties as none would be owed on these amounts. We elected that all uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, are classified as a component of income tax expense.

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

(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	1,425
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		31
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		(1,086	)
Balance at December 31, 2018		370
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		151
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		(296	)
Balance at December 31, 2019		225
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		25
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		—
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	250

Our 2017 through 2019 U.S. federal tax years and various state tax years from 2015 through 2019 remain subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities. The tax years 2016 through 2019 remain subject to examination by various foreign taxing jurisdictions.

We received cash refunds from income taxes of $14.9 million during 2020 and paid cash for income taxes of $17.2 million during 2019 and $27.3 million during 2018.

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Note 18. 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)	2020			2019			2018
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	—		$	61		$	64
Interest cost		653			861			780
Expected return on plan assets		(145	)		(99	)		(193	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		526			403			494
Net periodic benefit cost		1,034			1,226			1,145
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income:
Net actuarial (gain) loss		1,587			1,305			(76	)
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss		(526	)		(403	)		(494	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income		1,061			902			(570	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income	$	2,095		$	2,128		$	575

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

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2018
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	51		$	64		$	80
Interest cost		296			458			449
Amortization of prior service credit		(146	)		(189	)		(205	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		18			112			405
Net periodic benefit cost		219			445			729
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income:
Net actuarial (gain) loss		688			(1,117	)		170
Prior service credit		—			—			—
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss		(18	)		(112	)		(405	)
Prior service credit		146			189			205
Total recognized in other comprehensive income		816			(1,040	)		(30	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income	$	1,035		$	(595	)	$	699

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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)	2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	15,572		$	14,235		$	9,462		$	9,271		$	11,986		$	13,454
Service cost		—			—			—			61			51			64
Interest cost		406			527			247			333			296			458
Actuarial adjustments		1,242			1,611			784			753			688			(1,117	)
Benefits paid		(889	)		(801	)		(717	)		(956	)		(802	)		(873	)
Benefit obligation at end of year		16,331			15,572			9,776			9,462			12,219			11,986
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		11,291			10,299			—			—			—			—
Actual return on plan assets		584			1,157			—			—			—			—
Company contributions		892			636			717			956			802			873
Benefits paid		(889	)		(801	)		(717	)		(956	)		(802	)		(873	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		11,878			11,291			—			—			—			—
Funded status at end of year	$	(4,453	)	$	(4,281	)	$	(9,776	)	$	(9,462	)	$	(12,219	)	$	(11,986	)

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)	2020		2019		2020		2019		2020		2019
Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	687	$	703	$	931	$	1,019
Non-current liabilities		4,453		4,281		9,089		8,759		11,288		10,967
Net amount recognized	$	4,453	$	4,281	$	9,776	$	9,462	$	12,219	$	11,986

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

											Postretirement
	Funded Plans					Unfunded Plans					Benefit Plans					Total		Total
(in thousands)	2020		2019			2020		2019			2020		2019			2020		2019
Net actuarial loss	$	9,252	$	8,856		$	3,409	$	2,744		$	1,990	$	1,320		$	14,651	$	12,920
Prior service credit		—		—			—		—			189		43			189		43
Subtotal		9,252		8,856			3,409		2,744			2,179		1,363			14,840		12,963
Less tax effect		—		(2,236	)		—		(693	)		—		(344	)		—		(3,273	)
Total	$	9,252	$	6,620		$	3,409	$	2,051		$	2,179	$	1,019		$	14,840	$	9,690

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

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2020
			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	$	6,430	$	6,430	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		4,485		4,485		—		—
Cash		774		774		—		—
Other		189		—		189		—
Total	$	11,878	$	11,689	$	189	$	—

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			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2019
			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	$	5,267	$	5,267	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		5,518		5,518		—		—
Cash		316		316		—		—
Other		190		—		190		—
Total	$	11,291	$	11,101	$	190	$	—

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
2021	$	1,439	$	695	$	943
2022	$	1,020	$	699	$	925
2023	$	1,012	$	684	$	902
2024	$	975	$	666	$	875
2025	$	1,044	$	648	$	835
2026-2030	$	4,641	$	2,919	$	3,541

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

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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)	2020			2019			2018
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	444		$	405		$	552
Interest cost		365			397			381
Expected return on plan assets		(530	)		(487	)		(505	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		162			127			139
Settlement		—			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost		441			442			567
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss		368			605			(238	)
Reversal of amortization of net actuarial loss		(162	)		(127	)		(139	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		206			478			(377	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income (loss)	$	647		$	920		$	190

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

	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2020			2019
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	9,990		$	8,134		$	2,331		$	2,290
Service cost		444			405			—			—
Interest cost		295			320			70			77
Actuarial adjustments		686			1,037			111			106
Benefits paid		(743	)		(336	)		(180	)		(178	)
Translation adjustment		244			430			117			36
Benefit obligation at end of year		10,916			9,990			2,449			2,331
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		10,013			8,243			—			—
Actual return on plan assets		1,044			1,156			—			—
Company contributions		253			515			180			178
Benefits paid		(743	)		(336	)		(180	)		(178	)
Translation adjustment		231			435			—			—
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		10,798			10,013			—			—
Funded status at end of year	$	(118	)	$	23		$	(2,449	)	$	(2,331	)

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)	2020			2019			2020		2019
Non-current assets	$	(31	)	$	(43	)	$	—	$	—
Other current liabilities		—			—			187		177
Non-current liabilities		149			20			2,262		2,154
Net amount recognized	$	118		$	(23	)	$	2,449	$	2,331

Net actuarial losses for the foreign funded plans recognized in AOCI were $2.7 million ($2.0 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2020 and $2.6 million ($1.9 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2019. Net actuarial losses for the foreign unfunded plans recognized in AOCI were $0.8 million ($0.6 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2020 and $0.7 million ($0.5 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2019.

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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, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Fixed income securities	$	5,450	$	5,450	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		5,153		5,153		—		—
Other		195		195		—		—
Total	$	10,798	$	10,798	$	—	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2019		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Fixed income securities	$	5,194	$	5,194	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		4,669		4,669		—		—
Other		150		150		—		—
Total	$	10,013	$	10,013	$	—	$	—

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

(in thousands)	Funded Plans		Unfunded Plans
2021	$	444	$	190
2022	$	402	$	189
2023	$	440	$	188
2024	$	442	$	188
2025	$	441	$	187
2026-2030	$	2,359	$	920

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)	2020		2019		2020		2019
Projected benefit obligation	$	16,331	$	15,572	$	9,776	$	9,462
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	16,331	$	15,572	$	9,776	$	9,454
Fair value of plan assets	$	11,878	$	11,291	$	—	$	—

	Foreign Plans
	Funded Plans				Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2020		2019		2020		2019
Projected benefit obligation	$	10,916	$	9,990	$	2,449	$	2,331
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	10,447	$	9,347	$	2,449	$	2,331
Fair value of plan assets	$	10,798	$	10,013	$	—	$	—

Contributions

In aggregate for both the domestic and foreign plans, we anticipate contributing $0.8 million to the funded pension plans, $0.9 million to the unfunded pension plans, and $0.9 million to the postretirement benefit plans in 2021.

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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
	2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019
Discount rate		2.38	%		3.15	%		2.35	%		3.13	%		2.47	%		3.17	%		2.34	%		2.92	%
Rate of compensation increase	N/A			N/A				3.00	%		3.00	%	N/A			N/A				2.35	%		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
	2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019
Discount rate		3.12	%		4.28	%		3.13	%		4.22	%		3.19	%		4.29	%		2.93	%		3.68	%
Expected return on plan assets		5.50	%		5.50	%	N/A			N/A				0.00	%		0.00	%		4.39	%		4.55	%
Rate of compensation increase	N/A			N/A				3.00	%		3.00	%	N/A			N/A				2.35	%		2.34	%

Multi-employer Plans

We contribute to various 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 the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by solvent participating employers. In addition, if we were to discontinue participating in some of our multi-employer pension plans, we could be required to pay a withdrawal liability amount based on the underfunded status of the plan. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we finalized the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement with the Teamsters 727 union. The terms included a withdrawal from the underfunded Central States pension plan. Accordingly, for the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded a charge of $15.5 million, which represents the estimated present value of future contributions we will be required to make to the plan as a result of this withdrawal and $0.2 million of other withdrawal costs. Currently, we do not anticipate triggering any withdrawal from any other multi-employer pension plan to which we currently contribute. 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 2020 is outlined in the following table. Unless otherwise noted, the most recent Pension Protection Act zone status available in 2020 and 2019 relates to the plan’s year end as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, 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.		2020	2019		2020		2019		2018
Pension Fund:
Western Conference of  Teamsters Pension Plan	91-6145047		1	Green	Green	No	$	2,898	$	6,754	$	6,471	No	5/31/2021
Southern California Local 831—Employer Pension Fund(1)	95-6376874		1	Green	Green	No		943		3,427		3,087	No	8/31/2021
IBEW Local Union  No 357 Pension Plan A	88-6023284		1	Green	Green	No		843		1,074		1,025	No	6/16/2021
Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Pension Fund	36-6130207		1	Green	Green	Yes		608		2,877		2,876	No	5/31/2024
Electrical Contractors Assoc. Chicago Local Union 134, IBEW Joint Pension Trust of Chicago Plan #2	51-6030753		2	Green	Green	No		509		1,651		927	No	6/6/2021
Machinery Movers Riggers & Mach Erect Local 136 Supplemental Retirement Plan(1)	36-1416355		11	Yellow	Yellow	Yes		337		797		1,328	Yes	6/30/2024
Southwest Carpenters Pension Trust	95-6042875		1	Green	Green	No		195		717		789	No	7/31/2023
Sign Pictorial & Display Industry Pension Plan(1)	94-6278490		1	Green	Green	No		92		768		778	No	3/31/2021
Southern California IBEW-NECA Pension Fund	95-6392774		1	Yellow	Yellow	Yes		89		799		881	Yes	8/31/2021
New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension	04-6372430		1	Red	Red	Yes		42		506		423	No	3/31/2022
Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan	36-6044243		1	Red	Red	Yes		7		872		1,177	No	3/31/2023
All other funds(2)								963		3,625		3,734
Total contributions to defined benefit plans								7,526		23,867		23,496
Total contributions to other plans								1,066		3,416		2,900
Total contributions to multi-employer plans							$	8,592	$	27,283	$	26,396

⁽¹⁾ We contributed more than 5% of total plan contributions for the plan year detailed in the plans’ most recent Form 5500s.

⁽²⁾ Represents participation in 31 pension funds during 2020.

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 $1.7 million for 2020, $5.0 million for 2019, and $4.8 million for 2018. In April 2020, we suspended our 401(k) Plan employer match contributions. The employer match was reinstated in October 2020.

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Note 19. Restructuring Charges

GES

As part of our efforts to drive efficiencies and simplify our business operations, we took certain restructuring actions designed to simplify and transform GES for greater profitability. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we accelerated our transformation and streamlining efforts at GES to significantly reduce costs and create a lower and more flexible cost structure focused on servicing our more profitable market segments. These initiatives included recording restructuring charges related to the elimination of certain positions and facility closures at GES, as well as charges related to the closure and liquidation of GES’ United Kingdom-based audio-visual services business. During 2019, we completed some strategic simplification actions, including a facility consolidation in Las Vegas and other restructuring actions. As a result, we recorded restructuring charges 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						Other Restructurings
(in thousands)	Severance & Employee Benefits			Facilities			Severance & Employee Benefits			Total
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	1,551		$	807		$	191		$	2,549
Restructuring charges		1,457			—			130			1,587
Cash payments		(1,379	)		(156	)		(181	)		(1,716	)
Adjustment to liability		410			(451	)		(128	)		(169	)
Balance at December 31, 2018		2,039			200			12			2,251
Restructuring charges		6,071			1,817			492			8,380
Cash payments		(5,169	)		(752	)		(272	)		(6,193	)
Adjustment to liability		(6	)		74			7			75
Balance at December 31, 2019		2,935			1,339			239			4,513
Restructuring charges		6,563			5,784			1,093			13,440
Cash payments		(7,051	)		(2,573	)		(1,201	)		(10,825	)
Non-cash items(1)		—			(1,789	)		—			(1,789	)
Adjustment to liability		(7	)		5			(107	)		(109	)
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	2,440		$	2,766		$	24		$	5,230

(1) Represents the impact related to the closure and liquidation of GES’ United Kingdom-based audio-visual services business during the year ended December 31, 2020.

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As of December 31, 2020, we expect to pay all but $1.6 million of the liabilities related to severance and employee benefits by the end of 2021. The liability related to future lease payments will be paid over the remaining lease terms. Refer to Note 23 – Segment Information, for information regarding restructuring charges by segment.

Note 20. Leases and Other

The balance sheet presentation of our operating and finance leases is as follows:

		December 31,
(in thousands)	Classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	2020		2019
Assets:
Operating lease assets	Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	82,739	$	103,314
Finance lease assets	Property and equipment, net		23,366		25,350
Total lease assets		$	106,105	$	128,664
Liabilities:
Current:
Operating lease obligations	Operating lease obligations	$	15,697	$	22,180
Finance lease obligations	Current portion of debt and finance lease obligations		2,514		3,386
Noncurrent:
Operating lease obligations	Long-term operating lease obligations		70,150		82,851
Finance lease obligations	Long-term debt and finance lease obligations		20,627		21,871
Total lease liabilities		$	108,988	$	130,288

The components of lease expense consisted of the following:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	$	3,662	$	2,780
Interest on lease liabilities		1,668		924
Operating lease cost		27,259		26,511
Short-term lease cost		701		1,932
Variable lease cost		5,672		6,271
Total lease cost, net	$	38,962	$	38,418

Other information related to operating and finance leases are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	26,250		$	28,146
Operating cash flows from finance leases	$	1,948		$	502
Financing cash flows from finance leases	$	3,543		$	2,698
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	$	659		$	125,755
Finance leases	$	2,141		$	18,822
	December 31,
	2020			2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):
Operating leases		8.39			8.17
Finance leases		13.97			14.01
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases		6.93	%		5.77	%
Finance leases		7.99	%		7.73	%

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As of December 31, 2020, the estimated future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases, excluding variable leases and variable non-lease components, are as follows:

(in thousands)	Operating Leases			Finance Leases			Total
2021	$	22,046		$	4,405		$	26,451
2022		16,567			3,917			20,484
2023		13,489			3,397			16,886
2024		10,314			2,724			13,038
2025		8,994			2,193			11,187
Thereafter		45,101			22,973			68,074
Total future lease payments		116,511			39,609			156,120
Less: Amount representing interest		(30,664	)		(16,468	)		(47,132	)
Present value of minimum lease payments		85,847			23,141			108,988
Current portion		15,697			2,514			18,211
Long-term portion	$	70,150		$	20,627		$	90,777

As of December 31, 2020, the estimated future minimum rentals under non-cancellable leases, which includes rental income from facilities that we own, are as follows:

(in thousands)
2021	$	1,612
2022		1,089
2023		869
2024		646
2025		493
Thereafter		1,332
Total minimum sublease rents	$	6,041

Leases Not Yet Commenced

As of December 31, 2020, we had executed certain facility and land leases for which we did not have control of the underlying assets. Accordingly, we did not record the lease liabilities and ROU assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These leases include future planned attractions for Pursuit that are currently in the planning or development phase and that we expect the lease commencement dates to begin between fiscal years 2021 and 2023 with lease terms of 23 to 47 years.

Note 21. 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. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded an $8.5 million charge to resolve a legal dispute at GES involving a former industry contractor. Although the amount of liability as of December 31, 2020 with respect to unresolved legal 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.

On July 18, 2020, an off-road Ice Explorer operated by our Pursuit business was involved in an accident while enroute to the Athabasca Glacier, resulting in three fatalities and multiple other serious injuries. We continue to support the victims and their families, and we are fully cooperating with the applicable regulatory authorities to investigate this accident. We immediately reported the accident to our relevant insurance carriers, who are also supporting the investigation and subsequent claims. Subject to customary deductibles, we believe that our insurance coverage is sufficient to cover potential claims related to this accident.

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, 2020, we had recorded environmental remediation liabilities of $2.2 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.

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As of December 31, 2020, 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 and equipment leases 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, 2020 would be $91.7 million. These guarantees relate to our leased equipment and facilities through January 2040. 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 pursuant to which 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 2021 will be renegotiated in the ordinary course of business. Although our labor relations are currently stable, disruptions could occur, with the possibility of an adverse impact on the operating results of GES. During 2019, we finalized the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement with the Teamsters Local 727 union. The terms included a withdrawal from the underfunded Central States Pension Plan. Accordingly, during 2019 we recorded a charge of $15.5 million, which represents the estimated present value of future contributions we will be required to make to the plan as a result of this withdrawal. Refer to Note 18 – Pension and Postretirement Benefits for additional information on specific union-related pension issues.

We are self-insured up to certain limits for workers’ compensation and general liabilities, which includes automobile, product general liability, and client property loss claims. The aggregate amount of insurance liabilities (up to our retention limit) related to our continuing operations was $12.4 million as of December 31, 2020, which includes $7.8 million related to workers’ compensation liabilities, and $4.6 million related to general liability claims. We have also retained and provided for certain workers’ compensation insurance liabilities in conjunction with previously sold businesses of $2.0 million as of December 31, 2020. We are also self-insured for certain employee health benefits and the estimated employee health benefit claims incurred but not yet reported was $0.8 million as of December 31, 2020. Provisions for losses for claims incurred, including actuarially derived 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 $5.0 million for 2020, $6.9 million for 2019, and $5.4 million for 2018.

In addition, as of December 31, 2020, we have recorded insurance liabilities of $6.4 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. The $6.4 million is related to workers’ compensation liabilities, which is recorded in other deferred items and liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets with a corresponding receivable in other investments.

Note 22. 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. Through Esja and its wholly-owned subsidiary, we are operating a new FlyOver Iceland attraction.

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

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Changes in the redeemable noncontrolling interest are as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	5,909
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		(821	)
Adjustment to the redemption value		1,318
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(234	)
Balance at December 31, 2019		6,172
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		(1,482	)
Adjustment to the redemption value		926
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(391	)
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	5,225

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Note 23. Segment Information

We measure the profit and performance of our operations on the basis of segment operating income (loss) which excludes restructuring charges and recoveries 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)	2020			2019			2018
Revenue:
GES:
GES North America	$	288,921		$	884,105		$	866,187
GES EMEA		53,384			216,559			202,990
Intersegment eliminations		(3,680	)		(20,741	)		(17,140	)
Total GES		338,625			1,079,923			1,052,037
Pursuit		76,810			222,813			185,287
Total revenue	$	415,435		$	1,302,736		$	1,237,324
Segment operating income (loss):
GES:
GES North America	$	(56,446	)	$	27,659		$	29,981
GES EMEA		(17,451	)		8,274			9,621
Total GES		(73,897	)		35,933			39,602
Pursuit		(42,343	)		54,310			48,915
Segment operating income (loss)		(116,240	)		90,243			88,517
Corporate eliminations (1)		65			67			67
Corporate activities		(8,687	)		(10,865	)		(10,993	)
Operating income (loss)		(124,862	)		79,445			77,591
Interest income		377			369			354
Interest expense		(18,264	)		(14,199	)		(9,640	)
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal		(462	)		(15,693	)		—
Other expense		(1,132	)		(1,586	)		(1,744	)
Restructuring (charges) recoveries:
GES North America		(3,825	)		(6,157	)		(408	)
GES EMEA		(8,522	)		(1,731	)		(1,049	)
Pursuit		(132	)		(52	)		(140	)
Corporate		(961	)		(440	)		10
Impairment (charges) recoveries:
GES North America		(171,095	)		(5,346	)		—
GES EMEA		(30,223	)		—			—
Pursuit		(1,758	)		—			35
Legal settlement:
GES		—			(8,500	)		—
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(360,859	)	$	26,110		$	65,009

⁽¹⁾ Corporate eliminations 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.

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	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019		2018
Assets:
GES:
GES North America	$	134,162	$	475,279	$	406,484
GES EMEA		50,644		132,975		111,798
Pursuit		620,413		589,205		357,630
Corporate and other		48,005		121,232		46,629
	$	853,224	$	1,318,691	$	922,541
Depreciation and amortization:
GES:
GES North America	$	24,022	$	29,321	$	30,855
GES EMEA		4,053		6,260		7,071
Pursuit		28,393		23,154		18,690
Corporate and other		97		229		226
	$	56,565	$	58,964	$	56,842
Capital expenditures:
GES:
GES North America	$	9,003	$	19,099	$	19,263
GES EMEA		1,388		7,098		7,065
Pursuit		43,176		49,934		56,865
Corporate and other		—		16		152
	$	53,567	$	76,147	$	83,345

Geographic Areas

Our foreign operations are primarily in Canada, the United Kingdom, Iceland, the Netherlands, Germany, and to a lesser extent, in certain other countries. 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)	2020		2019		2018
Revenue:
United States	$	290,541	$	873,213	$	850,839
EMEA		56,656		218,404		202,990
Canada		68,238		211,119		183,495
Total revenue	$	415,435	$	1,302,736	$	1,237,324
Long-lived assets:
United States	$	173,790	$	205,399	$	182,140
EMEA		56,996		63,582		48,553
Canada		276,860		277,039		146,064
Total long-lived assets	$	507,646	$	546,020	$	376,757

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Note 24. Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

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

2020	2020												2019
(in thousands, except per share data)	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter			First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter
Revenue as previously reported	$	306,008		$	30,863		$	63,072					$	285,594		$	402,279		$	353,743		$	321,334
Gross to net correction(1)		(11,350	)		(796	)		(265	)					(12,572	)		(25,815	)		(1,234	)		(20,593	)
Revenue as corrected	$	294,658		$	30,067		$	62,807		$	27,903		$	273,022		$	376,464		$	352,509		$	300,741
Operating income (loss):
Ongoing operations(2)	$	(9,400	)	$	(49,736	)	$	(6,765	)	$	(50,274	)	$	(11,236	)	$	46,442		$	54,822		$	141
Business interruption gain		—			—			—			—			—			141			—			—
Corporate activities		(789	)		(2,468	)		(2,645	)		(2,785	)		(1,833	)		(3,282	)		(2,680	)		(3,070	)
Interest income		79			176			58			64			98			83			79			109
Interest expense		(4,018	)		(5,186	)		(5,508	)		(3,552	)		(2,915	)		(2,957	)		(3,740	)		(4,587	)
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal		—			(462	)		—			—			—			(15,508	)		—			(185	)
Other expense, net		(419	)		(265	)		(210	)		(238	)		(455	)		(456	)		(281	)		(394	)
Restructuring charges		(851	)		(260	)		(11,259	)		(1,070	)		(688	)		(4,455	)		(1,702	)		(1,535	)
Legal settlement		—			—			—			—			(8,500	)		—			—			—
Impairment charges		(88,380	)		(114,020	)		(676	)		—			—			—			—			(5,346	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(103,778	)	$	(172,221	)	$	(27,005	)	$	(57,855	)	$	(25,529	)	$	20,008		$	46,498		$	(14,867	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Viad	$	(86,131	)	$	(205,899	)	$	(29,769	)	$	(50,448	)	$	(17,490	)	$	13,364		$	31,557		$	(5,315	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad	$	(86,585	)	$	(206,278	)	$	(30,758	)	$	(50,473	)	$	(17,777	)	$	13,824		$	31,416		$	(5,428	)
Diluted income (loss) per common share:(3)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	(4.27	)	$	(10.17	)	$	(1.54	)	$	(2.57	)	$	(0.88	)	$	0.65		$	1.54		$	(0.30	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	(4.29	)	$	(10.19	)	$	(1.59	)	$	(2.58	)	$	(0.89	)	$	0.67		$	1.53		$	(0.31	)

⁽¹⁾ The quarterly financial data for the four quarters of 2019 and the first three quarters of 2020 were adjusted for immaterial errors related to the recognition of revenue of GES’ Corporate Accounts’ third-party services. Refer to Note 1 – Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for additional information. The Company intends to correct for these errors prospectively in subsequent quarterly filings.

⁽²⁾ Represents revenue less costs of services and cost of products sold.

⁽³⁾ The sum of quarterly income per share amounts may not equal annual income per share due to rounding.

Note 25. Subsequent Event

Sale of Orlando warehouse

On January 25, 2021, we sold a GES warehouse in Orlando and received cash proceeds of approximately $14 million.

81

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, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity and mezzanine equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, 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, 2020, 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 March 1, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s 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 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 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 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 financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Litigation, Claims, Contingencies, and Other—Self Insurance Reserves —Refer to Notes 1 and 21 to the financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company is self-insured up to certain limits for workers’ compensation, automobile, product and general liability claims. Reserves for losses for claims incurred, including actuarially derived estimated claims incurred but not reported, are made by the Company based on historical experience, claims frequency, insurance coverage, and other factors. The Company purchases insurance for amounts in excess of self-insured levels. The aggregate amount of these insurance liabilities related to continuing operations was $18.7 million as of December 31, 2020.

Given the subjectivity of estimating the projected settlement value of reported and unreported claims, auditing the self-insurance reserves involved especially subjective auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our actuarial specialists when auditing the self-insurance reserves, and therefore we have identified this as a critical audit matter.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to the self-insurance reserves included the following, among others:

• We tested the effectiveness of controls related to self-insurance reserves, including those over the projection of settlement value of reported and unreported claims.

82

• We evaluated the methods and assumptions used by management to estimate the self-insurance reserves by:

• Agreeing the underlying claims data to source documents that served as the basis for the Company’s actuarial analysis, to evaluate whether the inputs to the actuarial estimate were reasonable.

• Comparing management’s prior-year assumptions of expected development and ultimate loss to actuals incurred during the current year to identify potential bias in the determination of the self-insurance reserves.

• With the assistance of our actuarial specialists, we developed independent estimates of the self-insurance reserves, using standard traditional actuarial methodologies, and compared our estimates to management’s estimates.

Goodwill — GES U.S., GES EMEA, GES Canada, and FlyOver – Refer to Notes 1 and 9 to the financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company’s evaluation of goodwill for impairment involves the comparison of the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. The Company used the discounted cash flow model to estimate fair value, which requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to discount rates and forecasts of future revenues and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) margins. Changes in these assumptions could have a significant impact on either the fair value, the amount of goodwill impairment charge, or both. The fair value of GES US, GES EMEA, and GES Canada reporting units did not exceed their carrying values and therefore, the Company recorded total impairment charges across these reporting units of $184 million. The fair value of the FlyOver reporting unit exceeded its carrying value and therefore no impairment was recognized.

Given the significant judgments made by management to estimate the fair value of these reporting units, performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s estimates and assumptions related to selection of the discount rate and forecasts of future revenue and EBITDA margins required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our fair value specialists.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to the discount rates and forecasts of future revenue and EBITDA margins (“forecasts”) used by management to estimate the fair values of GES U.S., GES EMEA, GES Canada and FlyOver reporting units included the following procedures:

• We tested the effectiveness of controls over management’s goodwill impairment evaluation, including those over the determination of the fair values of the reporting units, such as the control related to management’s selection of the discount rates and forecasts.

• We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s forecasts by comparing the forecasts to (1) historical results of the Company, (2) internal communications to management, and (3) forecasted information included in industry reports of the Company.

• With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the reasonableness of the (1) valuation methodology and (2) discount rate, including testing the source information underlying the determination of the discount rate, testing the mathematical accuracy of the calculation, and developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to the discount rate selected by management.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Phoenix, Arizona

March 1, 2021

We have served as the Company’s auditor since at least 1929; however, an earlier year could not be reliably 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, 2020. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2020.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

84

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

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.

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, 2020.

Based on our assessment, we concluded that, as of December 31, 2020, 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 2020 Form 10-K.

85

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, 2020, 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, 2020, 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 as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, of the Company and our report dated March 1, 2021, 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

March 1, 2021

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, and the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors is included in our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 14, 2021 (the “Proxy Statement”), under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance,” and “Stock Ownership Information,” and are incorporated herein by reference. Information regarding our executive officers is located in Part I, “Other – Information about our Executive Officers” of this 2020 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 “Stock Ownership Information” 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 AccountANT Fees and Services

Information regarding principal accountant 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 Selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2021” 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 2020 Form 10-K.

(b) Exhibit Index

87

			Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number		Exhibit Description	Form	Period Ending	Exhibit	Filing Date
2.A		Share Purchase Agreement, dated May 27, 2019, by and among Brewster Travel Canada Inc., Jas-Day Investments Ltd., and 2192449 Alberta Ltd.	8-K		2.1	5/30/2019
2.B		Share and Unit Purchase Agreement, dated May 27, 2019, by and among Brewster Travel Canada Inc., Jas-Day Investments Ltd., 2187582 Alberta Ltd., and The Sawridge Hotels Limited Partnership.	8-K		2.2	5/30/2019
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
3.C		Certificate of Designations of 5.5% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.	8-K		3.1	8/5/2020
4.A1		Rights Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2020, between Viad Corp and Equiniti Trust Company, which includes the Form of Right Certificate as Exhibit A and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock as Exhibit B.	8-K		4.1	3/30/2020
4.A2		Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated August 5, 2020, by and between Viad Corp and Equiniti Trust Company.	8-K		10.3	8/5/2020
4.B		Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 5, 2020, by and among Viad Corp, Crestview IV VC TE Holdings, LLC, Crestview IV VC Holdings, L.P., and Crestview IV VC CI Holdings, L.P.	8-K		4.1	8/5/2020
4.C		Description of Viad Corp’s Securities	10-K	12/31/2019	4.B	2/26/2020
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

88

			Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number		Exhibit Description	Form	Period Ending	Exhibit	Filing Date
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		Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement, effective as of August 26, 2020, pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Award Plan.	10-Q	9/30/2020	10.7	11/6/2020
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.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
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-K	12/31/2017	10.B4	2/28/2018
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-K	12/31/2017	10.B5	2/28/2018
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-K	12/31/2017	10.B6	2/28/2018
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-K	12/31/2017	10.B7	2/28/2018
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-K	12/31/2017	10.B8	2/28/2018
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

89

			Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number		Exhibit Description	Form	Period Ending	Exhibit	Filing Date
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-K	12/31/2017	10.B10	2/28/2018
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	10.H4	3/11/2016
10.C6	+	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.C7		Severance Agreement and General Release between Viad Corp and Jay Altizer, effective as of May 22, 2020.	10-Q	3/31/2020	10.1	6/22/2020
10. D1		$450,000,000 Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by and among Viad Corp, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, dated as of October 24, 2018.	8-K		4.1	10/25/2018
10.D2		Amendment No. 1, dated July 23, 2019, to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, Dated October 24, 2018, between Viad Corp and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Lender, as LC Issuer, as Swing Line Lender, and as administrative agent, and other lenders party thereto.	8-K		4.A2	7/25/2019
10.D3		Amendment No. 2 to $450 million Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated May 8, 2020.	8-K		4.A3	5/11/2020
10.D4		Amendment No. 3 to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to Security Agreements, dated August 5, 2020, by and among Viad Corp, the guarantors party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and the lenders party thereto.	8-K		10.6	8/5/2020
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

90

			Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number		Exhibit Description	Form	Period Ending	Exhibit	Filing Date
10.H1	+	Viad Corp Directors’ Matching Gift Program, effective as of February 18, 1999.	10-K	12/31/2018	10.H1	2/27/2019
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 27, 2018.
10.K1		Investment Agreement, dated August 5, 2020, by and among Viad Corp, Crestview IV VC TE Holdings, LLC, Crestview IV VC Holdings, L.P., and Crestview IV VC CI Holdings, L.P.	8-K		10.1	8/5/2020
10.K2		Stockholders Agreement, dated August 5, 2020, by and among Viad Corp, Crestview IV VC TE Holdings, LLC, Crestview IV VC Holdings, L.P., and Crestview IV VC CI Holdings, L.P.	8-K		10.2	8/5/2020
10.K3		Form of Indemnification Agreement.	8-K		10.4	8/5/2020
10.K4		Form of Crestview Designee Indemnification Agreement.	8-K		10.5	8/5/2020
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.LAB	****	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE	****	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF	****	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
104	***	Cover Page Interactive Data File

91

* Filed herewith.

** Furnished herewith.

*** The XBRL Instance Document and Cover Page Interactive Data File do not appear in the Interactive Data File because their XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

**** Submitted electronically herewith

+ Management contract or compensation plan or arrangement.

Item 16. Form 10-K summary

None.

92

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, 2018		2,023		414		39		(1,170	)		(18	)		1,288
December 31, 2019		1,288		1,050		45		(1,182	)		(1	)		1,200
December 31, 2020		1,200		6,712		17		(2,628	)		9			5,310
Deferred tax valuation allowance:
December 31, 2018		4,010		1,230		—		(1,851	)		(33	)		3,356
December 31, 2019		3,356		884		—		—			36			4,276
December 31, 2020		4,276		77,369		—		—			150			81,795

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

93

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, on March 1, 2021.

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 the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

		Principal Executive Officer
Date:	March 1, 2021	By:	/s/ Steven W. Moster
			Steven W. Moster
			President and Chief Executive Officer, Director
		Principal Financial Officer
Date:	March 1, 2021	By:	/s/ Ellen M. Ingersoll
			Ellen M. Ingersoll
			Chief Financial Officer
		Principal Accounting Officer
Date:	March 1, 2021	By:	/s/ Leslie S. Striedel
			Leslie S. Striedel
			Chief Accounting Officer
		Directors
		Andrew B. Benett*
		Brian P. Cassidy*
		Denise M. Coll*
		Richard H. Dozer*
		Virginia L. Henkels*
		Edward E. Mace*
		Kevin M. Rabbit*
		Joshua E. Schechter*
Date:	March 1, 2021	By:	/s/ Ellen M. Ingersoll
			Ellen M. Ingersoll
			Attorney-in-Fact

* Pursuant to power of attorney filed as Exhibit 24 to this 2020 Form 10-K

94

EX-10.J1

Exhibit 10.J1

VIAD CORP

SUMMARY OF COMPENSATION PROGRAM FOR

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

AS OF FEBRUARY 25, 2020

Board of Directors
Annual Retainer	$65,000
Per Meeting Attendance Fee (for special meetings in excess of 8 in one calendar year)	$1,500
Annual Restricted Stock Grant1Value	$125,000
Independent Chairman of Board of Directors
Annual Retainer	$100,000
Audit Committee
Committee Membership Annual Retainer	$20,500
Committee Chairman Annual Retainer	$25,000
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
Committee Membership Annual Retainer	$5,000
Committee Chairman Annual Retainer	$15,000
Human Resources Committee
Committee Membership Annual Retainer	$10,000
Committee Chairman Annual Retainer	$20,000

Additional Benefits²

---------------------

¹ The annual restricted stock grant occurs in February of each year and vests 100% one year from the date of the grant, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the forms of the Restricted Stock Agreement for Non-Employee Directors, effective as of February 27, 2018, pursuant to the 2017 Viad Corp Omnibus Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Viad Corp’s Form 8-K filed May 23, 2017; or the successor form of such restricted stock agreement filed thereafter.  

² Non-employee directors may participate in the Directors' Matching Gift Program, which provides for corporate matching of charitable contributions made by non-employee directors, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, up to an aggregate maximum of $5,000 per year to qualified non-profit organizations having tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Viad Corp also provides non-employee directors with accidental death and dismemberment insurance benefits of $300,000 and travel accident insurance benefits of $300,000 when they are traveling on corporate business.

EX-21

Exhibit 21

Viad Corp

Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries

Company Name	Jurisdiction
2121885 Alberta Ltd.	Canada
2187587 Alberta Ltd.	Canada
2195137 Alberta Ltd.	Canada
Alaskan Park Properties, Inc.	Arizona
Astonics Limited	United Kingdom
Banff Hospitality Residence Ltd.	Canada
Banff-Jasper Collection Holding Corp.	Canada
Blitz Communications (Trustees) Limited	United Kingdom
Blitz Communications Group Limited	United Kingdom
Blitz Communications Limited	United Kingdom
Brewster Inc.	Canada
Brewster Travel Canada Inc.	Canada
CATC Alaska Tourism Corporation	Alaska
Esja Attractions ehf.	Iceland
ESR Exposition Service, Inc.	New Jersey
Expo Accessories, Inc.	New York
Expo Display & Design, Inc.	New Jersey
Exposervice Polska Spzoo	Poland
FlyOver Attractions, Inc.	Delaware
FlyOver Canada, Inc.	Canada
Flyover Iceland ehf.	Iceland
FlyOver Las Vegas LLC	Delaware
G E S Global Experience Specialists Carpentry L.L.C.	United Arab Emirates
GES Canada Limited	Canada
GES Event Intelligence AG	Switzerland
GES Event Intelligence Ltd.	United Kingdom
GES Event Intelligence Services Limited	United Kingdom
GES Event Intelligence Services, Inc.	Delaware
GES Global Experience Specialists Events L.L.C.	United Arab Emirates
GES GmbH & Co. KG	Germany
GES Service Companies Limited	United Kingdom
GES Verwaltungs GmbH	Germany
Glacier Park, Inc.	Arizona
Global Experience Specialists (GES) Asia Limited	Hong Kong
Global Experience Specialists (GES) Exhibition Services L.L.C.	United Arab Emirates
Global Experience Specialists (GES) Holdings Ltd.	United Kingdom
Global Experience Specialists (GES) Limited	United Kingdom
Global Experience Specialists (GES) Logistics GmbH	Germany
Global Experience Specialists, Inc.	Nevada
N200 Holding B.V.	Netherlands
N200.com B.V.	Netherlands
ON Services - AV Specialists, Inc.	Delaware
onPeak LLC	Delaware
Poken's Transylvanian Outpost SRL	Romania
Pursuit Collection, Inc.	Delaware
Pursuit Iceland ehf	Iceland
Pursuit Investment Holdings, Inc.	Delaware
SDD Exhibitions Limited	United Kingdom

Telecast Communications (Audio Visual) Limited	United Kingdom
Tradeshow Convention Services Inc.	Washington
Travel and Event Services, LLC	Delaware
Viad Holding GmbH	Germany
Viad Service Companies Limited	United Kingdom
VREC, Inc.	Delaware
Waterton Transport Company, Limited	Canada

EX-23

Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-218682 and 333-145969 on Form S-8 of our reports dated March 1, 2021, 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, 2020.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Phoenix, Arizona

March 1, 2021

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, 2020, 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 26^th day of February 2021, by the following persons:

/s/ Andrew B. Benett	/s/ Virginia L. Henkels
Andrew B. Benett	Virginia L. Henkels
Director of Viad Corp	Director of Viad Corp
/s/ Brian P. Cassidy	/s/ Edward E. Mace
Brian P. Cassidy	Edward E. Mace
Director of Viad Corp	Director of Viad Corp
/s/ Denise M. Coll	/s/ Kevin M. Rabbit
Denise M. Coll	Kevin M. Rabbit
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

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: March 1, 2021	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: March 1, 2021	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, 2020, 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:  March 1, 2021	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, 2020, 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:  March 1, 2021	By: /s/ Ellen M. Ingersoll
	Ellen M. Ingersoll
	Chief Financial Officer

XML

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Feb. 15, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Viad Corp
Entity Central Index Key	0000884219
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 381.0
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		20,464,515
Document Transition Report	false
Document Annual Report	true
Entity Tax Identification Number	36-1169950
Entity File Number	001-11015
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Address, Address Line One	1850 North Central Avenue
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 1900
Entity Address, City or Town	Phoenix
Entity Address, State or Province	AZ
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	85004-4565
City Area Code	602
Local Phone Number	207-1000
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Documents Incorporated by Reference [Text Block]	A portion of the Proxy Statement for the Viad Corp Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for May 14, 2021, is incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report.
Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Trading Symbol	VVI
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $1.50 Par Value
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Junior Participating Preferred Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
No Trading Symbol Flag	true

XML

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 39,545	$ 61,999
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $5,310 and $1,200, respectively		17,837	126,246
Inventories		8,727	17,269
Current contract costs		7,923	24,535
Other current assets		17,225	30,854
Total current assets		91,257	260,903
Property and equipment, net		492,154	500,901
Other investments and assets		15,492	45,119
Operating lease right-of-use assets		82,739	103,314
Deferred income taxes		563	26,163
Goodwill		99,847	287,983
Other intangible assets, net		71,172	94,308
Total Assets		853,224	1,318,691
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		21,037	86,660
Contract liabilities		18,595	50,671
Accrued compensation		7,030	32,658
Operating lease obligations		15,697	22,180
Other current liabilities		27,039	39,824
Current portion of debt and finance lease obligations	[1]	8,335	5,330
Total current liabilities		97,733	237,323
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations		285,356	335,162
Pension and postretirement benefits		27,264	26,247
Long-term operating lease obligations		70,150	82,851
Other deferred items and liabilities		64,628	83,707
Total liabilities		545,131	765,290
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest		5,225	6,172
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		568,100	574,473
Retained earnings (deficit)		(253,164)	122,971
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(30,641)	(35,699)
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 4,475,489 and 4,588,084 shares, respectively		(225,742)	(231,649)
Total Viad stockholders’ equity		95,955	467,498
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interest		78,144	79,731
Total stockholders’ equity		174,099	547,229
Total Liabilities, Mezzanine Equity, and Stockholders’ Equity		853,224	$ 1,318,691
Convertible Series A Preferred Stock
Current liabilities
Convertible Series A Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, 180,000 shares authorized, 135,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020		$ 128,769

[1] Subsequent to the filing of our 2019 Form 10-K, we identified a correction related to the classification of the 2018 Credit Facility (as defined below) from current to long-term given that the 2018 Credit Facility’s contractual maturity was not within 12 months of the balance sheet date, and we were in compliance with all applicable covenants as of December 31, 2019. As a result, we corrected the classification of the debt on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet and the disclosure related to classification of debt in the table above as of December 31, 2019 to present the 2018 Credit Facility as long-term. Except for this change, the correction had no impact upon this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We determined that the error is not material to the previously issued financial statements.

XML

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 5,310	$ 1,200
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	5,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	135,000
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	4,475,489	4,588,084
Convertible Series A Preferred Stock
Preferred Stock, Par value	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	180,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	135,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	135,000

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue:
Total revenue		$ 415,435	$ 1,302,736	$ 1,237,324
Costs and expenses:
Business interruption gain			(141)	(602)
Corporate activities		8,687	10,865	10,993
Interest income		(377)	(369)	(354)
Interest expense		18,264	14,199	9,640
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal		462	15,693
Other expense, net		1,132	1,586	1,744
Restructuring charges		13,440	8,380	1,587
Legal settlement			8,500
Impairment charges (recoveries)		203,076	5,346	(35)
Total costs and expenses		776,294	1,276,626	1,172,315
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		(360,859)	26,110	65,009
Income tax expense		14,246	2,506	17,095
Income (loss) from continuing operations		(375,105)	23,604	47,914
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		(1,847)	(81)	1,481
Net income (loss)		(376,952)	23,523	49,395
Net (income) loss attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interest		1,376	(2,309)	(542)
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		1,482	821	317
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad		$ (374,094)	$ 22,035	$ 49,170
Diluted income (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders		$ (18.55)	$ 1.02	$ 2.33
Discontinued operations attributable to Viad common stockholders		(0.09)		0.07
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	[1]	$ (18.64)	$ 1.02	$ 2.40
Weighted-average outstanding and potentially dilutive common shares		20,279	20,284	20,404
Basic income (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders		$ (18.55)	$ 1.02	$ 2.33
Discontinued operations attributable to Viad common stockholders		(0.09)		0.07
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders		$ (18.64)	$ 1.02	$ 2.40
Weighted-average outstanding common shares		20,279	20,146	20,168
Dividends declared per common share		$ 0.10	$ 0.40	$ 0.40
Amounts attributable to Viad common stockholders
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$ (372,247)	$ 22,116	$ 47,689
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		(1,847)	(81)	1,481
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad		(374,094)	22,035	49,170
Services
Revenue:
Total revenue		351,528	1,101,534	1,051,389
Costs and expenses:
Costs and expenses		457,827	1,031,187	980,543
Products
Revenue:
Total revenue		63,907	201,202	185,935
Costs and expenses:
Costs and expenses		$ 73,783	$ 181,380	$ 168,799

[1] Diluted loss per share amount cannot exceed basic loss per share.

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (376,952)	$ 23,523	$ 49,395
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments	7,113	12,533	(24,306)
Change in net actuarial loss, net of tax effects of $(55), $(44), and $305	(1,955)	(116)	1,236
Change in prior service cost, net of tax effects of $(46), $(48), and $(52)	(100)	(141)	(153)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(371,894)	35,799	26,172
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interest:
Net (income) loss attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interest	1,376	(2,309)	(542)
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments	1,315	1,080
Redeemable noncontrolling interest:
Comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	1,482	821	317
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Viad	$ (367,721)	$ 35,391	$ 25,947

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Amortization of net actuarial loss, tax effects	$ (55)	$ (44)	$ 305
Amortization of prior service cost, tax effects	$ (46)	$ (48)	$ (52)

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND MEZZANINE 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	Mezzanine Equity Redeemable Non Controlling Interest	Convertible Series A Preferred Stock
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 442,937	$ 37,402	$ 574,458	$ 65,836	$ 218	$ (22,568)	$ (226,215)	$ 429,131	$ 13,806	$ 6,648
Increase Decrease In Stockholders' Equity Roll Forward
Net income (loss)	49,712			49,170				49,170	542	(317)
Dividends on common stock	(8,154)			(8,154)				(8,154)
Payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld	(1,209)						(1,209)	(1,209)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(17,174)						(17,174)	(17,174)
Employee benefit plans	4,902		(1,905)				6,807	4,902
Share-based compensation - equity awards	2,849		2,849					2,849
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	(24,306)					(24,306)		(24,306)		(673)
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss), net of tax	1,236					1,236		1,236
Amortization of prior service cost, net of tax	(153)					(153)		(153)
Adoption of ASU | ASU 2016-01				616		(616)
Adoption of ASU | Accounting Standards Update 2018-02 [Member]				1,568		(1,568)
Other, net	(85)		(63)	(4)	(19)		1	(85)		251
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	450,555	37,402	575,339	109,032	199	(47,975)	(237,790)	436,207	14,348	5,909
Increase Decrease In Stockholders' Equity Roll Forward
Net income (loss)	24,344			22,035				22,035	2,309	(821)
Dividends on common stock	(8,094)			(8,094)				(8,094)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(407)								(407)
Payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld	(3,046)						(3,046)	(3,046)
Employee benefit plans	5,530		(3,659)				9,189	5,530
Share-based compensation - equity awards	2,755		2,755					2,755
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	13,613					12,533		12,533	1,080	(234)
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss), net of tax	(116)					(116)		(116)
Amortization of prior service cost, net of tax	(141)					(141)		(141)
Acquisitions	62,401								62,401
Other, net	(165)		38	(2)	$ (199)		(2)	(165)		1,318
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	547,229	37,402	574,473	122,971		(35,699)	(231,649)	467,498	79,731	6,172
Increase Decrease In Stockholders' Equity Roll Forward
Net income (loss)	(375,470)			(374,094)				(374,094)	(1,376)	(1,482)
Dividends on common stock	(2,038)			(2,038)				(2,038)
Issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock											$ 125,763
Dividends on convertible preferred stock	(3,006)		(3,006)					(3,006)			3,006
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1,526)								(1,526)
Payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld	(1,688)						(1,688)	(1,688)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(2,785)						(2,785)	(2,785)
Employee benefit plans	2,479		(7,901)				10,380	2,479
Share-based compensation - equity awards	4,444		4,444					4,444
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	8,428					7,113		7,113	1,315	(390)
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss), net of tax	(1,955)					(1,955)		(1,955)
Amortization of prior service cost, net of tax	(100)					(100)		(100)
Other, net	87		90	(3)				87		925
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 174,099	$ 37,402	$ 568,100	$ (253,164)		$ (30,641)	$ (225,742)	$ 95,955	$ 78,144	$ 5,225	$ 128,769

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND MEZZANINE EQUITY (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Dividends on common stock per share	$ 0.10	$ 0.40	$ 0.40

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ (376,952)	$ 23,523	$ 49,395
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	56,565	58,964	56,842
Deferred income taxes	15,097	(10,398)	5,350
(Income) loss from discontinued operations	1,847	81	(1,481)
Restructuring charges	13,440	8,380	1,587
Legal settlement		8,500
Impairment charges (recoveries)	203,076	5,346	(35)
(Gains) losses on dispositions of property and other assets	(14,935)	(1,475)	473
Share-based compensation expense	2,653	7,190	4,870
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal	462	15,693
Other non-cash items, net	8,056	3,791	4,306
Change in operating assets and liabilities (excluding the impact of acquisitions):
Receivables	106,082	(16,959)	(6,200)
Inventories	8,644	(328)	(1,573)
Current contract costs	16,279	(6,333)	(4,976)
Accounts payable	(88,251)	9,726	(1,645)
Restructuring liabilities	(7,427)	(6,047)	(1,716)
Accrued compensation	(26,375)	6,853	(12,818)
Contract liabilities	(31,585)	16,796	3,677
Income taxes payable	770	195	(7,696)
Other assets and liabilities, net	32,306	(15,359)	2,235
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(80,248)	108,139	90,595
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(53,567)	(76,147)	(83,345)
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	24,767
Cash paid for acquisitions, net		(90,992)	(4,628)
Proceeds from dispositions of property and other assets	22,027	1,583	925
Net cash used in investing activities	(6,773)	(165,556)	(87,048)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings	225,422	200,473	146,580
Payments on debt and finance lease obligations	(275,327)	(115,708)	(128,211)
Dividends paid on common stock	(4,064)	(8,094)	(8,154)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1,526)	(407)
Payments of debt issuance costs	(1,585)	(39)	(1,823)
Payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld or repurchased	(1,688)	(3,046)	(1,209)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(2,785)		(17,174)
Proceeds from issuance of Convertible Series A Preferred Stock, net of issuance costs	125,763
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	2,077	293	84
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	66,287	73,472	(9,907)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	701	1,050	(2,470)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(20,033)	17,105	(8,830)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of year	62,004	44,899	53,729
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of year	$ 41,971	$ 62,004	$ 44,899

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Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

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 were 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 a leading provider of experiential leisure travel and face-to-face events and marketing experiences company with operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, continental Europe, the United Arab Emirates, and Iceland. We are committed to providing unforgettable experiences to our clients and guests. We operate through three reportable business segments: GES North America, GES EMEA (collectively, “GES”), and Pursuit.

GES

GES is a global, full-service live events company offering a comprehensive range of services to event organizers and corporate brand marketers. Event organizers schedule and run events 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 inspiring and unforgettable travel experiences that includes recreational attractions, unique hotels and lodges, food and beverage, retail, sightseeing, and ground transportation services. Pursuit comprises the Banff Jasper Collection, the Alaska Collection, the Glacier Park Collection, and FlyOver.

Impact of COVID-19

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a “pandemic.” COVID-19 has spread rapidly, with a high concentration of confirmed cases in the U.S. and other countries in which we operate. The rapid spread has resulted in authorities around the world implementing numerous measures to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders, and business shutdowns. The COVID-19 pandemic and these containment measures have had, and are expected to continue to have, a substantial negative impact on businesses around the world and on global, regional, and national economies.

The COVID-19 pandemic is having and will likely continue to have a significant and negative impact on our operations and financial performance, with live events largely shut down and severe tourism activity disruptions. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented aggressive cost reduction measures to preserve cash, including furloughs, layoffs, mandatory unpaid time off, or salary reductions for all employees, and the reduction of discretionary spending. We continue to implement measures to successfully adapt for the long-term impact of COVID-19. During 2020, we secured additional capital to strengthen our liquidity position and amended our Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2018 Credit Agreement”) to provide financial covenant relief and financial flexibility.

Investment Agreement

On August 5, 2020, we entered into an investment agreement with funds managed by private equity firm Crestview Partners (the “Investment Agreement”) who made an initial investment of $135 million, offset in part by $9.2 million in fees, in newly issued perpetual convertible preferred stock that carries a 5.5% cumulative quarterly dividend, which is payable in cash or in-kind at Viad’s option (the “Convertible Preferred Stock”). The Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $21.25 per share. The Investment Agreement also includes a delayed draw commitment of up to $45 million in additional Convertible Preferred Stock, which we may access during the 12 months following the August 5, 2020 closing date on the same terms and conditions as the initial investment. The proceeds from Crestview’s initial investment were used to repay a portion of our 2018 Credit Facility, will provide additional short-term liquidity, will fund capital expenditures, and will support general corporate purposes. Pursuant to the Investment Agreement, two Crestview Partners’ designees joined our Board of Directors, increasing the size of our board from seven to nine directors.

Credit Agreement Amendment

On August 5, 2020, we entered into an amendment to our 2018 Credit Agreement, which, among other things, (i) waives our financial covenants until September 30, 2022 (the “Covenant Waiver Period”) and (ii) requires us to maintain minimum liquidity of $100 million, with liquidity defined as unrestricted cash and available capacity on our 2018 Credit Facility. The interest rate on the borrowings is equal to the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 350 basis points, with a LIBOR floor of one percent during the Covenant Waiver Period. The LIBOR floor continues until the end of the 2018 Credit Agreement. Viad pledged 100% of the capital stock of its wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries and its top-tier foreign subsidiaries (other than Esja Attractions ehf.). Fees related to the amendment were approximately $1.7 million.

Management anticipates that the initial cash proceeds from Crestview Partners, existing cash and cash equivalents, and the amendment to waive financial covenants within the 2018 Credit Agreement until September 30, 2022 will be sufficient to fund operations for at least the next 12 months.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Impairments

Due to the deteriorating macroeconomic environment related to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in disruptions to our operations and the decline in our stock price, we determined interim triggering events had occurred in the first and second quarters of 2020, which required us to assess the carrying values of goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. Based on this assessment, we recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $185.8 million during 2020, which included a full impairment charge to the remaining GES goodwill balance. Our remaining goodwill balance as of December 31, 2020 of $99.8 million pertains to our Pursuit business. We also recorded a non-cash impairment charge to intangible assets of $15.7 million during 2020 related to our U.S. audio-visual production business. The duration and impact of COVID-19 may result in additional future impairment charges as facts and circumstances evolve. Refer to Note 9 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for additional information.

Correction to Prior Period Financial Statements

Subsequent to the issuance of the December 31, 2019 consolidated financial statements, we identified prior period errors related to the recognition of revenue of GES’ Corporate Accounts’ third-party services. Revenue from these services should have been recorded on a net basis to reflect only the fees received for arranging these services, whereas previously, we recorded this revenue on a gross basis, thus overstating revenue and cost of services by the same amount. As a result, we corrected the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 related to this gross-to-net adjustment.

We determined that the error is not material to the previously issued financial statements. Note 2 – Revenue and Related Contract Costs and Contract Liabilities, Note 23 – Segment Information, and Note 24 – Selected Quarterly Financial Information reflect this correction.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2019						2018
(in thousands)	Services Revenue			Cost of Services			Services Revenue			Cost of Services
As previously reported	$	1,170,493		$	1,100,146		$	1,110,249		$	1,039,403
Gross to net correction for GES North America		(51,927	)		(51,927	)		(43,603	)		(43,603	)
Gross to net correction for GES EMEA		(17,032	)		(17,032	)		(15,257	)		(15,257	)
Total as corrected	$	1,101,534		$	1,031,187		$	1,051,389		$	980,543

Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. 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: impairment testing of recorded goodwill and intangible assets and long-lived assets; allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable; sales reserve allowances; 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; pension and postretirement benefit costs and obligations; share-based compensation costs; the discount rates used to value lease obligations; the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests; and the allocation of purchase price of acquired businesses. Actual results could differ from these and other estimates.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

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 funds. Investments in money market funds are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value. Restricted cash represents collateral required for surety bonds and letters of credit.

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash balances presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	39,545	$	61,999
Restricted cash included in other current assets		2,426		5
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows	$	41,971	$	62,004

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

We state inventories, which consist primarily of exhibit design and construction materials and supplies, as well as retail inventory, 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.

Leases

We recognize a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and lease liability on the balance sheet and classify leases as either finance or operating leases. The classification of the lease determines whether the lease expense is recognized on an effective interest method basis (finance lease) or on a straight-line basis (operating lease) over the lease term. In determining whether an agreement contains a lease, we consider if we have a right to control the use of the underlying asset during the lease term in exchange for an obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. We recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities at commencement date, which is when the underlying asset is available for use to a lessee, based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term.

Our operating and finance leases are primarily facility, equipment, and land leases. Our facility leases comprise mainly manufacturing facilities, sales and design facilities, offices, storage and/or warehouses, and truck marshaling yards. These facility leases generally have lease terms ranging up to 23 years. Our equipment leases comprise mainly vehicles, hardware, and office equipment, each with various lease terms. Our land leases comprise mainly leases in Canada and Iceland on which our hotels or attractions are located and have lease terms ranging up to 47 years.

If a lease contains a renewal option that is reasonably certain to be exercised, then the lease term includes the optional periods in measuring a ROU asset and lease liability. The reasonably certain threshold is evaluated at lease commencement and is typically met if we identify substantial economic incentives or termination penalties. We do not include variable leases and variable non-lease components in the calculation of the ROU asset and corresponding lease liability. For facility leases, variable lease costs include the costs of common area maintenance, taxes, and insurance for which we pay our lessors an estimate that is adjusted to actual expense on a quarterly or annual basis depending on the underlying contract terms. We expense these variable lease payments as incurred. Our lease agreements do not contain any significant residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants.

Substantially all of our lease agreements do not specify an implicit borrowing rate, and as such, we utilize an incremental borrowing rate based on lease term and country, in order to calculate the present value of our future lease payments. The discount rate represents a risk-adjusted rate on a collateralized basis and is the expected rate at which we would borrow funds to satisfy the scheduled lease liability payment streams commensurate with the lease term and the country.  

We are also a lessor to third party tenants who either lease certain portions of facilities that we own or sublease certain portions of facilities that we lease. We record lease income from owned facilities as rental income and we record sublease income from leased

facilities against lease expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We classify all of our leases for which we are the lessor as operating leases.

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 had Company-owned life insurance contracts that were intended to fund the cost of certain employee compensation and benefit programs. These contracts were carried at cash surrender value, net of outstanding policy loans. The cash surrender value represented 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, were included as a component of “Costs of services” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In 2020, we terminated the life insurance policies and received cash proceeds of $24.8 million.

Self-Insurance Liabilities

We are self-insured up to certain limits for workers’ compensation and general liabilities, which includes automobile, product general liability, and client property loss claims. We have also retained and provided for certain workers’ compensation insurance liabilities in conjunction with previously sold operations. We are also self-insured for certain employee health benefits. Provisions for losses for claims incurred, including actuarially derived estimated claims incurred but not yet reported, are made based on historical experience, claims frequency, and other factors. We have 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 12 – Debt and Finance Lease Obligations for the estimated fair value of debt obligations.

Convertible Preferred Stock

We record shares of convertible preferred stock based on proceeds received net of costs on the date of issuance. Redeemable preferred stock (including preferred stock that features redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) is classified as temporary equity and is reported between liabilities and stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Noncontrolling Interests – Non-redeemable and Redeemable

Non-redeemable noncontrolling interest represents the portion of equity in a subsidiary that is not attributable, directly or indirectly, to us. Our non-redeemable noncontrolling interest relates to the 20% equity ownership interest that we do not own in Glacier Park, Inc., the 40% equity interest that we do not own in the Mountain Park Lodges, and the 49% equity interest that we do not own in the new entity that will operate the Pursuit Sky Lagoon attraction. We report non-redeemable noncontrolling interest within stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of consolidated net income or loss attributable to Viad and the non-redeemable noncontrolling interest is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  

We consider noncontrolling interests with redemption features that are not solely within our control to be redeemable noncontrolling interests. Our redeemable noncontrolling interest relates to our 54.5% equity ownership interest in Esja Attractions ehf. (“Esja”), which owns the FlyOver Iceland attraction. The Esja shareholders 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 in the Consolidated Statements of

Operations and the accretion of the redemption value is recorded as an adjustment to retained earnings (deficit) and is included in our income (loss) per share. Refer to Note 22 – Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest for additional information.

Foreign Currency Translation

Our foreign operations are primarily in Canada, the United Kingdom, Iceland, 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 measured based on a specified amount of consideration in a contract with a customer, net of commissions paid to customers and amounts collected on behalf of third parties. We recognize revenue when a performance obligation is satisfied by transferring control of a product or service to a customer.

GES’ service revenue is primarily derived through its comprehensive range of services to event organizers and corporate brand marketers including Core Services, Event Technology, and Audio-visual. GES’ service revenue is earned over time over the duration of the exhibition, conference or corporate event, which generally lasts one to three days. Revenue for goods and services provided for which we do not have control of the goods or services before that good or service is transferred to a customer is recorded on a net basis to reflect only the fees received for arranging these services. GES’ product revenue is derived from the build of exhibits and environments and graphics. GES’ product revenue is recognized at a point in time upon delivery of the product.

Pursuit’s service revenue is derived through its admissions, accommodations, transportation, and travel planning services. Pursuit’s product revenue is derived through food and beverage and retail sales. Pursuit’s revenue is recognized at the time services are performed or upon delivery of the product. Pursuit’s service revenue is recognized over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits. Pursuit’s product revenue is recognized at a point in time.

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 awards, restricted stock units, performance units, and stock options, and contain forfeiture and non-compete provisions. We issue share-based payment awards from shares held in treasury. Future vesting is generally subject to continued employment. Holders of share-based awards 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.

We account for share-based payment awards that will be settled in cash as liability-based awards, which includes performance units and restricted stock units. We measure share-based compensation expense of liability-based awards at fair value at each reporting date until the date of settlement 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 reporting date based on our stock price and the Monte Carlo simulation model. A Monte Carlo simulation requires the use of several assumptions, including historical volatility and correlation between our stock price and the price of the common shares of a comparator group, a risk-free rate of return, and an expected term. Share-based compensation expense related to liability-based awards is recognized ratably over the requisite service period of approximately three years.

We account for share-based awards that will be settled in shares of our common stock as equity-based awards, which include performance units, restricted stock units, and restricted stock awards. We measure share-based compensation expense of equity-based awards at fair value on the grant date on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The estimated number of shares to be achieved is updated each reporting period based on the number of units expected to vest and, where applicable, the level of achievement of predefined performance goals, until the date of settlement. Share-based compensation expense related to equity-based awards is recognized ratably over the requisite service period ranging from three months to three years.

The fair value of stock option grants is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes stock option pricing model. We grant non-qualified stock options that are performance-based and service-based. The performance-based awards are recognized on a straight-line basis over the performance period ranging up to 3.4 years, and the underlying shares expected to be settled are adjusted each reporting period based on estimated future achievement of the respective performance metrics. The service-based awards are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period on a graded-vesting schedule over two years. The exercise price of stock options is based on the market value of our common stock at the date of grant.

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 (Loss) Per Common Share

Diluted income per common share is calculated using the more dilutive of the two-class method or as-converted method. The two-class method uses net income available to common stockholders and assumes conversion of all potential shares other than the participating securities. The as-converted method uses net income and assumes conversion of all potential shares including the participating securities. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options, unvested restricted share units and convertible preferred stock. We apply the two-class method in calculating income per common share as unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends and preferred stock 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 2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40)	The amendment simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments by reducing the number of accounting models available for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock. The amendment also requires expanded disclosures about the terms and features of convertible instruments. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020.	1/1/2022	We are currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this new guidance on our consolidated financial statements and if there are applicable provisions that will simplify our accounting or reporting we will likely pursue early adoption.

Standard	Description	Date of adoption	Effect on the financial statements
Standards Recently Adopted
ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments	The amendment eliminates the incurred credit loss impairment methodology and replaces it with an expected credit loss concept based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.	1/1/2020	We adopted this new standard on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of this new standard on January 1, 2020 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)	The amendment provides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. Topic 848 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met.	3/12/2020	Topic 848 was effective beginning on March 12, 2020, and we will apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022. There was no impact to our consolidated financial statements as a result of adopting this amendment.
ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes	The amendment enhances and simplifies various aspects of the income tax accounting guidance, including requirements such as ownership changes in investments, and interim-period accounting for enacted changes in tax law.	1/1/2021	The adoption of this new standard on January 1, 2021 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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Revenue and Related Contract Costs and Contract Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]

Revenue and Related Contract Costs and Contract Liabilities

Note 2. Revenue and Related Contract Costs and Contract Liabilities

GES’ performance obligations consist of services or product(s) outlined in a contract. While we often sign multi-year contracts for recurring events, the obligations for each occurrence are well defined and conclude upon the occurrence of each event. The obligations are typically the provision of services and/or sale of a product in connection with an exhibition, conference, or other event. Revenue for

goods and services provided for which we do not have control of the goods or services before that good or service is transferred to a customer is recorded on a net basis to reflect only the fees received for arranging these services. We recognize revenue for services generally at the close of the exhibition, conference, or corporate event. We recognize revenue for products either upon delivery to the customer’s location, upon delivery to an event that we are serving, or when we have the right to invoice. In circumstances where a customer cancels a contract, we generally have the right to bill the customer for costs incurred to date. Payment terms are generally within 30-60 days and contain no significant financing components.

Pursuit’s performance obligations are short-term in nature. They include the provision of a hotel room, an attraction admission, a chartered or ticketed bus or van ride, the fulfillment of travel planning itineraries, and/or the sale of food, beverage, or retail products. Revenue is recognized when the service has been provided or the product has been delivered. When credit is extended, payment terms are generally within 30 days and contain no significant financing components.

Contract Liabilities

GES and Pursuit typically receive customer deposits prior to transferring the related product or service to the customer. We record these deposits as a contract liability, which are recognized as revenue upon satisfaction of the related contract performance obligation(s). GES also provides customer rebates and volume discounts to certain event organizers that we recognize as a reduction of revenue. We include these amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the captions “Contract liabilities” and “Other deferred items and liabilities.” The decrease in contract liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily due to the reduction of planned shows in the first half of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Changes to contract liabilities are as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2019	$	35,600
Cash additions		210,871
Revenue recognized		(196,158	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		483
Balance at December 31, 2019		50,796
Cash additions		154,057
Revenue recognized		(186,518	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		283
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	18,618

Contract Costs

GES capitalizes certain incremental costs incurred in obtaining and fulfilling contracts. Capitalized costs principally relate to direct costs of materials and services incurred in fulfilling services of future exhibitions, conferences, and events, and also include up-front incentives and commissions incurred upon contract signing. We expense costs associated with preliminary contract activities (i.e. proposal activities) as incurred. Capitalized contract costs are expensed upon the transfer of the related goods or services and are included in cost of services or cost of products, as applicable. We include the deferred incremental costs of obtaining and fulfilling contracts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the captions “Current contract costs” and “Other investments and assets.”

Changes to contract costs are as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2019	$	21,478
Additions		74,274
Expenses		(67,425	)
Cancelled		(68	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		237
Balance at December 31, 2019		28,496
Additions		19,517
Expenses		(25,381	)
Cancelled		(11,482	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(315	)
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	10,835

As of December 31, 2020, capitalized contract costs consisted of $0.9 million to obtain contracts and $9.9 million to fulfill contracts. We did not recognize an impairment loss with respect to capitalized contract costs during the years ended December 31, 2020 or 2019.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following tables disaggregate GES and Pursuit revenue by major product line, timing of revenue recognition, and markets served:

GES

	Year Ended December 31, 2020
(in thousands)	GES North America		GES EMEA		Intersegment Eliminations			Total
Services:
Core services	$	231,666	$	33,556	$	—		$	265,222
Audio-visual		20,148		4,126		—			24,274
Event technology		9,150		3,979		—			13,129
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(3,680	)		(3,680	)
Total services		260,964		41,661		(3,680	)		298,945
Products:
Core products		27,957		11,723		—			39,680
Total revenue	$	288,921	$	53,384	$	(3,680	)	$	338,625
Timing of revenue recognition:
Services transferred over time	$	260,964	$	41,661	$	(3,680	)	$	298,945
Products transferred over time(1)		13,068		2,449		—			15,517
Products transferred at a point in time		14,889		9,274		—			24,163
Total revenue	$	288,921	$	53,384	$	(3,680	)	$	338,625
Markets:
Exhibitions	$	211,953	$	40,077	$	—		$	252,030
Conferences		41,371		7,789		—			49,160
Corporate events		24,521		5,353		—			29,874
Consumer events		11,076		165		—			11,241
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(3,680	)		(3,680	)
Total revenue	$	288,921	$	53,384	$	(3,680	)	$	338,625

⁽¹⁾ GES’ graphics product revenue is earned over time over the duration of an event as it is considered a part of the single performance obligation satisfied over time.

	Year Ended December 31, 2019
(in thousands)	GES North America		GES EMEA		Intersegment Eliminations			Total
Services:
Core services	$	701,721	$	113,900	$	—		$	815,621
Audio-visual		78,178		24,197		—			102,375
Event technology		29,600		9,749		—			39,349
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(20,741	)		(20,741	)
Total services		809,499		147,846		(20,741	)		936,604
Products:
Core products		74,606		68,713		—			143,319
Total revenue	$	884,105	$	216,559	$	(20,741	)	$	1,079,923
Timing of revenue recognition:
Services transferred over time	$	809,499	$	147,846	$	(20,741	)	$	936,604
Products transferred over time(1)		45,597		16,071		—			61,668
Products transferred at a point in time		29,009		52,642		—			81,651
Total revenue	$	884,105	$	216,559	$	(20,741	)	$	1,079,923
Markets:
Exhibitions	$	463,653	$	159,397	$	—		$	623,050
Conferences		253,511		24,499		—			278,010
Corporate events		139,935		31,627		—			171,562
Consumer events		27,006		1,036		—			28,042
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(20,741	)		(20,741	)
Total revenue	$	884,105	$	216,559	$	(20,741	)	$	1,079,923

⁽¹⁾ GES’ graphics product revenue is earned over time over the duration of an event as it is considered a part of the single performance obligation satisfied over time.

	Year Ended December 31, 2018
(in thousands)	GES North America		GES EMEA		Intersegment Eliminations			Total
Services:
Core services	$	689,804	$	105,114	$	—		$	794,918
Audio-visual		73,331		22,011		—			95,342
Event technology		30,208		10,658		—			40,866
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(17,140	)		(17,140	)
Total services		793,343		137,783		(17,140	)		913,986
Products:
Core products		72,844		65,207		—			138,051
Total revenue	$	866,187	$	202,990	$	(17,140	)	$	1,052,037
Timing of revenue recognition:
Services transferred over time	$	793,343	$	137,783	$	(17,140	)	$	913,986
Products transferred over time(1)		44,109		16,084		—			60,193
Products transferred at a point in time		28,735		49,123		—			77,858
Total revenue	$	866,187	$	202,990	$	(17,140	)	$	1,052,037
Markets:
Exhibitions	$	486,400	$	149,338	$	—		$	635,738
Conferences		223,096		24,209		—			247,305
Corporate events		126,084		27,413		—			153,497
Consumer events		30,607		2,030		—			32,637
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(17,140	)		(17,140	)
Total revenue	$	866,187	$	202,990	$	(17,140	)	$	1,052,037

⁽¹⁾ GES’ graphics product revenue is earned over time over the duration of an event as it is considered a part of the single performance obligation satisfied over time.

Pursuit

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2018
Services:
Admissions	$	19,939		$	85,371		$	83,000
Accommodations		29,800			60,672			37,470
Transportation		2,694			14,594			13,956
Travel planning		467			5,979			4,529
Intersegment eliminations		(317	)		(1,686	)		(1,551	)
Total services revenue		52,583			164,930			137,404
Products:
Food and beverage		10,295			31,838			25,962
Retail operations		13,932			26,045			21,921
Total products revenue		24,227			57,883			47,883
Total revenue	$	76,810		$	222,813		$	185,287
Timing of revenue recognition:
Services transferred over time	$	52,583		$	164,930		$	137,404
Products transferred at a point in time		24,227			57,883			47,883
Total revenue	$	76,810		$	222,813		$	185,287
Markets:
Banff Jasper Collection	$	46,913		$	133,229		$	106,106
Alaska Collection		6,282			39,406			36,451
Glacier Park Collection		17,596			37,121			31,465
FlyOver		6,019			13,057			11,265
Total revenue	$	76,810		$	222,813		$	185,287

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Share-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Share-Based Compensation

Note 3. 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 (the “2017 Plan”). The 2017 Plan has a 10-year term and provides for the following types of awards: (a) incentive and non-qualified stock options; (b) restricted stock awards 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, 2020, there were 1,081,404 shares available for future grant under the 2017 Plan.

The following table summarizes share-based compensation (income) expense:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2018
Performance unit incentive plan (“PUP”)	$	(2,187	)	$	3,990		$	2,260
Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units		4,523			3,200			2,610
Stock options		317			—			—
Share-based compensation expense before income tax		2,653			7,190			4,870
Income tax benefit(1)		—			(2,241	)		(1,227	)
Share-based compensation expense, net of income tax	$	2,653		$	4,949		$	3,643

⁽¹⁾ There was no income tax benefit for the year ended 2020 due to the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. Refer to Note 17 – Income Taxes.

We recorded no share-based compensation expense through restructuring charges in 2020, $0.1 million in 2019, and none in 2018. No share-based compensation costs were capitalized during 2020, 2019, or 2018.

PUP Awards

PUP awards are performance-based restricted stock units that are tied to our stock price and the expected achievement of certain performance-based criteria. The vesting of PUP award shares is based upon the achievement of the performance-based criteria over a three-year period. We account for PUP awards that will be settled in shares of our common stock as equity-based awards. We measure share-based compensation expense of equity-based awards at fair value on the grant date on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The estimated number of shares to be achieved is updated each reporting period. We account for PUP awards that will be settled in cash as liability-based awards. We measure share-based compensation expense of liability-based awards at fair value at each reporting date until the date of settlement. Forfeitures are recorded when they occur.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, we granted PUP awards with a grant date fair value of $4.8 million of which $1.8 million are payable in shares. Liabilities related to PUP awards were $0.8 million as of December 31, 2020 and $5.3 million as of December 31, 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the value of the PUP awards decreased due to the reduction of our estimated performance achievement and the decline in our stock price as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, PUP awards granted in 2017 vested and we paid $2.6 million in cash. No PUP awards were paid in shares in 2020. In 2019, PUP awards granted in 2016 vested and we paid $5.6 million in cash and $3.4 million in shares. In 2019, we withheld 25,771 shares for $1.5 million related to tax withholding requirements on vested PUP awards paid in shares. In 2018, PUP awards granted in 2015 vested and we paid $5.9 million in cash. No PUP awards were paid in shares in 2018.

The following table summarizes the activity of the outstanding PUP awards:

	Equity-Based PUP Awards					Liability-Based PUP Awards
	Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance at December 31, 2019		59,714		$	55.10		155,190		$	52.53
Granted		32,367		$	56.23		52,531		$	56.10
Vested		—		$	—		(67,866	)	$	47.43
Forfeited		(30,873	)	$	52.15		(18,370	)	$	56.40
Balance at December 31, 2020		61,208		$	57.18		121,485		$	56.34

Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units are service-based awards. We account for restricted stock awards and restricted stock units that will be settled in shares of our common stock as equity-based awards. We measure share-based compensation expense of equity-based awards at fair value on the grant date on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

We account for restricted stock units that will be settled in cash as liability-based awards. We measure share-based compensation expense of liability-based awards at fair value at each reporting date until the date of settlement. Forfeitures are recorded when they occur.

As of December 31, 2020, the unamortized cost of outstanding equity-based restricted stock awards and restricted stock units was $4.2 million, which we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.3 years. We repurchased 42,185 shares for $1.7 million during 2020, 24,995 shares for $1.5 million in 2019, and 22,358 shares for $1.2 million in 2018 related to tax withholding requirements on vested share-based awards.

Aggregate liabilities related to liability-based restricted stock units were $0.2 million as of December 31, 2020 and $0.4 million as of December 31, 2019. In 2020, restricted stock units vested, and we paid $0.2 million in cash and $2.0 million in shares. In 2019, restricted stock units vested, and we paid $0.6 million in cash and $0.2 million in shares. In 2018, the 2015 restricted stock units vested and we paid $0.2 million in cash.

The following table summarizes the activity of the outstanding restricted stock awards and restricted stock units:

	Equity-Based Restricted Stock Awards					Equity-Based Restricted Stock Units					Liability-Based 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, 2019		136,123		$	52.66		—		$	—		11,623		$	52.17
Granted		55,171		$	51.06		232,435		$	19.44		3,952		$	50.43
Vested		(66,054	)	$	49.99		(77,725	)	$	19.30		(2,815	)	$	47.45
Forfeited		(18,133	)	$	54.11		(3,449	)	$	19.47		(2,301	)	$	56.13
Balance at December 31, 2020		107,107		$	53.23		151,261		$	19.51		10,459		$	51.91

Stock Options

We grant non-qualified stock options that are performance-based, as well as non-qualified stock options that are service-based. The performance-based awards are recognized on a straight-line basis over the performance period ranging from 1.0 to 3.4 years, and the underlying shares expected to be settled are adjusted each reporting period based on estimated future achievement of the respective performance metrics. The service-based awards are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period on a graded-vesting schedule over two years.

The following table summarizes stock option activity:

	Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value(1)
Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2019		41,143		$	16.62
Granted		204,150		$	19.98
Exercised		(41,143	)	$	16.62
Options outstanding at December 31, 2020		204,150		$	19.98	$	3,305,928
Options exercisable at December 31, 2020		—		$	—	$	—

⁽¹⁾ The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding represents the difference between our closing stock price at the end of the reporting period and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money stock options.  

The following table summarizes stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2020:

		Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
Range of exercise prices		Shares		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)		Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price
$	19.30		150,000		8.00	$	19.30		—	$	—
$	21.85		54,150		6.65	$	21.85		—	$	—
$19.30 - $21.85			204,150		7.64	$	19.98		—	$	—

The fair value of stock options granted in 2020 was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes stock option pricing model.

Following is additional information on stock options and the underlying assumptions used in assessing fair value:

	Year Ended
	December 31, 2020
Assumptions used to estimate fair value of stock options granted:
Risk-free interest rate	0.27% - 0.31%
Expected life	4.3 - 5.4 years
Expected volatility	46.9% - 52.2%
Expected dividend yield		—
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share of options granted	$	8.38
Cash received from exercise of options (in thousands)	$	2,077

As of December 31, 2020, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards was $1.4 million. We expect to recognize such costs over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.1 years. No stock options were granted in 2019 or 2018.

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Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisitions

Note 4. Acquisitions

2019 Acquisitions

Belton Chalet

On May 16, 2019, we acquired the Belton Chalet in Glacier National Park for total cash consideration of $3.2 million. Transaction costs associated with the acquisition were $0.3 million during 2019, which are included in “Cost of services” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We included these assets in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

Mountain Park Lodges

On June 8, 2019, we acquired a 60% equity interest in Mountain Park Lodges’ group of seven hotels and an undeveloped land parcel located in Jasper National Park for total consideration of $100.6 million Canadian dollars (approximately $76 million U.S. dollars).

As the majority owner of these properties, we consolidate 100% of the results of operations in our consolidated financial statements and record the 40% owners’ share of the net income or loss attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interest.

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 acquisition.

(in thousands)
Purchase price paid as:
Cash			$	75,837
Net working capital adjustment				18
Consideration transferred				75,855
Right to manage				(1,276	)
Purchase price, net				74,579
Fair value of net assets acquired:
Accounts receivable	$	333
Inventories		152
Prepaid expenses		276
Property and equipment		103,642
Intangible assets		20,180
Total assets acquired		124,583
Accounts payable		329
Advanced deposits payable		400
Deferred tax liability		19,734
Other liabilities		16
Total liabilities assumed		20,479
Noncontrolling interest equity		49,719
Total fair value of net assets acquired				54,385
Excess purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired (“goodwill”)			$	20,194

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the purchase price as shown in the table above is allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired was recorded as “Goodwill.” Goodwill is included in the Pursuit business group. The primary factor that contributed to the purchase price resulting in the recognition of goodwill related to future growth opportunities when combined with our other businesses. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The estimated values of current assets and liabilities were based upon their historical costs on the acquisition date due to their short-term nature.

Transaction costs associated with the Mountain Park Lodges were $0.9 million in 2019 and $0.1 million in 2018, which are included in “Corporate activities” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The results of operations of Mountain Park Lodges have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

Identifiable intangible assets acquired in the Mountain Park Lodges acquisition were $20.2 million and consist primarily of in-place leases, customer relationships, and trade names. The weighted average amortization period related to the intangible assets was approximately 30.8 years.

Sky Lagoon Attraction

On July 25, 2019, we announced plans for a new geothermal lagoon attraction that is located on an oceanfront lot just outside downtown Reykjavik, Iceland. We acquired a 51% controlling interest for $13.2 million in the new entity that will manage the Sky Lagoon attraction, which we will operate in partnership with Geothermal Lagoon ehf., the Icelandic entity that owns the lagoon assets. The noncontrolling interest’s carrying value was determined by the fair value of the noncontrolling interest as of the acquisition date and the noncontrolling interest’s share of the subsequent net income or loss. The amortization of the resulting operating contract intangible is not deductible for tax purposes. We expect to open our new attraction in the second quarter of 2021.

Supplementary pro forma financial information

The following table summarizes the unaudited pro forma results of operations attributable to Viad, assuming the completion of the Mountain Park Lodges acquisition was on January 1, 2018. We do not consider the Sky Lagoon attraction or the Belton Chalet significant acquisitions and accordingly, they are not included in the following pro forma results of operations:

(in thousands, except per share data)	Year Ended December 31, 2019		Year Ended December 31, 2018
Revenue	$	1,310,997	$	1,264,664
Depreciation and amortization	$	61,597	$	62,261
Income from continuing operations	$	22,195	$	48,312
Net income attributable to Viad	$	21,337	$	49,070
Diluted income per share	$	0.99	$	2.39
Basic income per share	$	0.99	$	2.40

2018 Acquisition

Maligne Canyon Restaurant

In March 2018, we acquired the Maligne Canyon Restaurant and Gift Shop for total cash consideration of $6.0 million Canadian dollars (approximately $4.6 million U.S. dollars).  Transaction costs associated with the acquisition were $24 thousand in 2018, 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. The Maligne Canyon Restaurant has been renovated and rebranded as the Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen.

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Inventories

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories

Note 5. Inventories

The components of inventories consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Raw materials	$	3,362	$	11,788
Finished goods		5,365		5,481
Inventories	$	8,727	$	17,269

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Other Current Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Other Current Assets

Note 6. Other Current Assets

Other current assets consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Prepaid insurance	$	4,297	$	5,573
Prepaid software maintenance		3,058		3,875
Restricted cash		2,426		5
Prepaid vendor payments		1,835		4,698
Prepaid taxes		345		917
Income tax receivable		337		13,250
Prepaid other		1,296		1,904
Other		3,631		632
Other current assets	$	17,225	$	30,854

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Property and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment

Note 7. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019
Land and land interests(1)	$	32,849		$	34,532
Buildings and leasehold improvements		386,751			377,754
Equipment and other		401,288			417,239
Gross property and equipment		820,888			829,525
Accumulated depreciation		(352,100	)		(353,974	)
Property and equipment, net (excluding finance leases)		468,788			475,551
Finance lease ROU assets, net		23,366			25,350
Property and equipment, net	$	492,154		$	500,901

⁽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 $8.3 million as of December 31, 2020 and $8.2 million as of December 31, 2019. These land interests are not subject to amortization.

Depreciation expense was $46.5 million during 2020, $45.6 million during 2019, and $45.8 million during 2018.

Property and equipment purchased through accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased $6.9 million during 2020, increased $4.2 million during 2019, and decreased $1.9 million during 2018.

We recorded fixed asset impairment charges of $1.6 million during 2020 primarily related to capitalized software and $3.8 million to equipment during 2019 primarily related to our audio-visual production business in the United Kingdom.

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Other Investments and Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]

Other Investments and Assets

Note 8. Other Investments and Assets

Other investments and assets consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Self-insured liability receivable	$	6,358	$	9,982
Other mutual funds		3,457		3,107
Contract costs		2,912		3,961
Cash surrender value of life insurance		—		24,873
Other		2,765		3,196
Other investments and assets	$	15,492	$	45,119

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Note 9. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

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

(in thousands)	GES North America			GES EMEA			Pursuit			Total
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	154,944		$	29,954		$	76,432		$	261,330
Business acquisitions		—			—			20,684			20,684
Foreign currency translation adjustments		332			875			4,762			5,969
Balance at December 31, 2019		155,276			30,829			101,878			287,983
Goodwill impairment		(154,989	)		(29,042	)		(1,758	)		(185,789	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(287	)		(1,787	)		1,659			(415	)
Other		—			—			(1,932	)		(1,932	)
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	—		$	—		$	99,847		$	99,847

The following table summarizes goodwill by reporting unit and segment:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
GES:
GES North America:
U.S.	$	—	$	148,277
Canada		—		6,999
GES EMEA		—		30,829
Total GES		—		186,105
Pursuit:
Banff Jasper Collection		54,856		55,524
Alaska Collection		3,184		3,184
Glacier Park Collection		—		1,758
FlyOver		41,807		41,412
Total Pursuit		99,847		101,878
Total Goodwill	$	99,847	$	287,983

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) to estimate the fair value of our reporting units for purposes of goodwill impairment testing.

In early March 2020, as a result of COVID-19 concerns, we began to see event postponements and cancellations at GES, as well as cancelled bookings at Pursuit. This quickly escalated into the shut-down of event activity and tourism as government mandated closures and stay-at-home orders went more broadly into effect around the world. As demand halted, we essentially placed our businesses into a state of hibernation to preserve cash. As government mandated closures and stay-at-home orders started to be lifted, we began to restart our business with enhanced health and safety protocols in place. We phased in most of Pursuit’s attractions and lodging operations starting in May 2020. However, exhibition and event activity remain largely dormant. For GES, we believe that as governments continue to lift restrictions, events in certain geographies will gradually increase.

During the first quarter of 2020, we determined that an interim triggering event had occurred due to the deteriorating macroeconomic environment related to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in disruptions to our operations and the decline in our stock price. As such, we performed an interim evaluation of goodwill as of March 31, 2020. As a result, we recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $41.9 million associated with GES U.S., $29.0 million associated with GES EMEA, and $1.8 million associated with Pursuit’s Glacier Park Collection. We recorded an income tax benefit of $12.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020 related to these goodwill impairment charges. This income tax benefit was reversed during the second quarter of 2020 due to the recording of a valuation allowance. Refer to Note 17 – Income Taxes.

During the second quarter of 2020, GES continued to experience event postponements and cancellations and we experienced further declines in our stock price. There was also an increased spread of the COVID-19 virus throughout the United States, which resulted in further closures and government orders that we believed had increased the uncertainty regarding when the live event industry would re-commence and how long it would take to get back to similar pre-COVID-19 business levels. The uncertainty regarding the duration of the current domestic and global economic conditions and whether further deterioration in the macroeconomic environment would

continue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic was factored into our second quarter goodwill impairment analysis. As a result, we recorded a full impairment charge to the remaining GES goodwill balance of $113.1 million during the second quarter of 2020. Our remaining goodwill balance as of December 31, 2020 of $99.8 million pertains to our Pursuit business.

Although Pursuit’s reporting units continued to operate at a loss due to travel restrictions, we did not record any additional impairment charges during the third or fourth quarter of 2020 as there were no significant changes to our outlook for the future years and the risk profile of the reporting units had not changed. Additionally, we experienced a slight increase in our stock price during the third and fourth quarters of 2020 once news of a vaccine was announced and the vaccine was rolled out.

Given the evolving nature of COVID-19 and the uncertain government and consumer reactions, the estimates and assumptions regarding expected future cash flows, discount rates, and terminal values used in our goodwill impairment analysis require considerable judgment and are based on our current estimates of market conditions, financial forecasts, and industry trends. These estimates, however, have inherent uncertainties and different assumptions could lead to materially different results including additional impairment charges in the future.

Our accumulated goodwill impairment was $415.5 million as of December 31, 2020 and $229.7 million as of December 31, 2019.

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:

		December 31, 2020							December 31, 2019
(in thousands)	Useful Life (Years)	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Customer contracts and relationships	6.4	$	38,214	$	(26,288	)	$	11,926	$	72,219	$	(40,866	)	$	31,353
Operating contracts and licenses	36.7		42,012		(2,405	)		39,607		43,329		(1,881	)		41,448
In-place lease	13.3		15,347		(656	)		14,691		15,044		(231	)		14,813
Tradenames	5.3		5,940		(2,435	)		3,505		9,423		(4,338	)		5,085
Non-compete agreements	1.0		770		(616	)		154		2,077		(1,775	)		302
Other	7.2		818		(102	)		716		802		(66	)		736
Total amortized intangible assets			103,101		(32,502	)		70,599		142,894		(49,157	)		93,737
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Business licenses			573		—			573		571		—			571
Other intangible assets		$	103,674	$	(32,502	)	$	71,172	$	143,465	$	(49,157	)	$	94,308

Intangible asset amortization expense was $6.4 million during 2020, $10.6 million during 2019, and $11.0 million during 2018. We recorded a non-cash impairment charge to intangible assets of $15.7 million during 2020 related our U.S audio-visual production business and $1.5 million during 2019 related to our United Kingdom audio-visual production business. The duration and impact of COVID-19 may result in additional future impairment charges as facts and circumstances evolve.

At December 31, 2020, the estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization is as follows:

(in thousands)
Year ending December 31,
2021	$	5,216
2022		5,129
2023		4,466
2024		3,510
2025		2,218
Thereafter		50,060
Total	$	70,599

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Other Current Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Other Liabilities Current [Abstract]

Other Current Liabilities

Note 10. Other Current Liabilities

Other current liabilities consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Continuing operations:
Self-insured liability	$	5,715	$	5,668
Accrued interest payable		3,042		399
Accrued restructuring		2,479		2,130
Accrued employee benefit costs		2,363		3,564
Current portion of pension and postretirement liabilities		1,805		1,899
Accrued professional fees		1,691		1,248
Accrued sales and use taxes		1,547		5,451
Commissions payable		903		8,274
Accommodation services deposits		304		959
Accrued legal settlement		—		2,500
Accrued dividends		—		2,019
Other taxes		1,872		278
Other		4,819		4,788
Total continuing operations		26,540		39,177
Discontinued operations:
Environmental remediation liabilities		61		311
Self-insured liability		347		260
Other		91		76
Total discontinued operations		499		647
Total other current liabilities	$	27,039	$	39,824

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Other Deferred Items and Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

Other Deferred Items and Liabilities

Note 11. Other Deferred Items and Liabilities

Other deferred items and liabilities consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Continuing operations:
Foreign deferred tax liability	$	21,336	$	32,570
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal liability		15,864		15,693
Self-insured liability		6,662		8,682
Self-insured excess liability		6,358		9,982
Accrued compensation		5,821		7,485
Accrued restructuring		2,751		2,383
Contract liabilities		23		125
Other		1,456		2,423
Total continuing operations		60,271		79,343
Discontinued operations:
Environmental remediation liabilities		2,179		1,964
Self-insured liability		1,639		2,018
Other		539		382
Total discontinued operations		4,357		4,364
Total other deferred items and liabilities	$	64,628	$	83,707

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Debt and Finance Lease Obligations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt and Finance Lease Obligations

Note 12. Debt and Finance Lease Obligations

The components of debt and finance lease obligations consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands, except interest rates)	2020			2019
2018 Credit Facility, 4.5% weighted-average interest rate at December 31, 2020 and 3.9% at December 31, 2019, due through 2023(1)	$	266,762		$	311,464
FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility, 4.9% weighted-average interest rate at December 31, 2020 and 2019, due through 2023(1)		5,820			5,607
FlyOver Iceland Term Loans, 3.8% weighted-average interest rate at December 31, 2020, due through 2024(1)		705			—
Less unamortized debt issuance costs		(2,737	)		(1,836	)
Total debt(2)		270,550			315,235
Finance lease obligations, 8.0% weighted-average interest rate at December 31,   2020 and 7.7% at December 31, 2019, due through 2039		23,141			25,257
Total debt and finance lease obligations(3)		293,691			340,492
Current portion(4)		(8,335	)		(5,330	)
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations	$	285,356		$	335,162

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

⁽²⁾ The weighted-average interest rate on total debt (including unamortized debt issuance costs and commitment fees) was 4.6% for 2020, 4.2% for 2019 and 4.3% for 2018. The estimated fair value of total debt and finance leases was $254.0 million as of December 31, 2020 and $304.0 million as of December 31, 2019. The fair value of debt was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using rates currently available for debt of similar terms and maturity, which is a Level 2 measurement. Refer to Note 13 – Fair Value Measurements.

⁽³⁾ Cash paid for interest on debt was $14.0 million during 2020, $11.9 million during 2019, and $8.5 million during 2018.

⁽⁴⁾ Subsequent to the filing of our 2019 Form 10-K, we identified a correction related to the classification of the 2018 Credit Facility (as defined below) from current to long-term given that the 2018 Credit Facility’s contractual maturity was not within 12 months of the balance sheet date, and we were in compliance with all applicable covenants as of December 31, 2019. As a result, we corrected the classification of the debt on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet and the disclosure related to classification of debt in the table above as of December 31, 2019 to present the 2018 Credit Facility as long-term. Except for this change, the correction had no impact upon this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We determined that the error is not material to the previously issued financial statements.

2018 Credit Agreement

Effective October 24, 2018, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2018 Credit Agreement”). The 2018 Credit Agreement has a maturity date of October 24, 2023 and provides for a $450 million revolving credit facility (“2018 Credit Facility”). The 2018 Credit Facility may be increased up to an additional $250 million under certain circumstances and has a $20 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 2018 Credit Agreement have a first perfected security interest in all of our personal property. Dividends are permitted up to $15 million in any calendar year. In addition, we can declare and pay dividends or repurchase our common stock up to $20 million per calendar year. Dividends and repurchases above those thresholds are permitted as long as our pro forma leverage ratio is less than or equal to 2.75 to 1.00. Unsecured debt is allowed provided we are in compliance with the leverage ratio. In addition, the unsecured debt must mature after the expiration of the 2018 Credit Facility, cannot have scheduled principal payments while the 2018 Credit Facility is in place, and any covenants for unsecured debt cannot be more restrictive than the 2018 Credit Facility. Significant other covenants include limitations on investments, additional indebtedness, sales and dispositions of assets, and liens on property. As of December 31, 2020, we were not in compliance with our financial covenants, however, we obtained financial covenant relief until September 30, 2022 pursuant to the amendment to the 2018 Credit Agreement described below.

Effective August 5, 2020, we entered into an amendment to the 2018 Credit Agreement, which, among other things, (i) waives our financial covenants until September 30, 2022 (the “Covenant Waiver Period”) and (ii) requires us to maintain minimum liquidity of $100 million, with liquidity defined as unrestricted cash and available capacity on our 2018 Credit Facility. The Covenant Waiver Period will be in effect until the earlier of September 30, 2022 or the fiscal quarter when our leverage ratio is less than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00. Post Covenant Waiver Period, the maximum leverage ratio will be less than or equal to 4.50 to 1.00 at September 30, 2022 with a step down to less than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00 at December 31, 2022 and thereafter until the maturity date. The minimum interest coverage ratio will be greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00 post Covenant Waiver Period and until maturity of the facility. The interest rate on the borrowings is equal to LIBOR plus 350 basis points, with a LIBOR floor of one percent, during the Covenant Waiver Period. The

LIBOR floor continues until the end of the 2018 Credit Agreement. A revised pricing grid goes into effect after the Covenant Waiver Period ends. Additionally, we are precluded from paying cash dividends, from issuing unsecured debt, and from accessing the $250 million expansion feature during the Covenant Waiver Period. The amendment allows us to make acquisitions under certain conditions. In connection with the amendment, Viad pledged 100% of the capital stock of its wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries and its top-tier foreign subsidiaries (other than Esja). Fees related to the amendment were approximately $1.7 million. Refer to Note 1 – Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Impact of COVID-19) for additional information.

As of December 31, 2020, capacity remaining under the 2018 Credit Facility was $173.5 million, reflecting borrowings of $266.8 million and $9.7 million in outstanding letters of credit.

We index borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility to the prime rate or the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), plus appropriate spreads tied to our leverage ratio. As LIBOR will begin to be phased out in 2021, our 2018 Credit Facility includes a method for determining an alternative or successor rate of interest that gives consideration to the new prevailing market convention. The vast majority of our borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility are indexed to LIBOR. Commitment fees and letters of credit fees are also tied to our leverage ratio. The fees on the unused portion of the 2018 Credit Facility were 0.50% annually as of December 31, 2020. Only our borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility and the discount rates we use to account for some leases are indexed to LIBOR. We do not expect the alternative or successor rate to LIBOR to have a material impact on either our 2018 Credit Facility or the accounting for our leases.

FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility

Effective February 15, 2019, FlyOver Iceland ehf., (“FlyOver Iceland”) a wholly-owned subsidiary of Esja, entered into a credit agreement with a €5.0 million (approximately $5.6 million U.S. dollars) credit facility (the “FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility”) with a maturity date of March 1, 2022. The loan proceeds were used to complete the development of the FlyOver Iceland attraction. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we entered into an addendum to the FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility effective January 8, 2021 wherein the principal payments were deferred for twelve months beginning December 1, 2020, with the first payment due December 1, 2021. The addendum also extended the maturity date to September 1, 2023. There were no other changes to the terms of the FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility. We obtained a waiver of certain covenants to the FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility through December 2020. We expect to be unable to meet our financial covenants under the FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility beginning with the six months ending June 30, 2021, and as a result, the €4.8 million (approximately $5.8 million U.S. dollars) balance outstanding as of December 31, 2020 has been classified as a current liability. We intend to seek a waiver for the June 30, 2021 financial covenants.

FlyOver Iceland Term Loans

During 2020, FlyOver Iceland entered into three term loans totaling ISK 90.0 million (approximately $0.7 million U.S. dollars) (the “FlyOver Iceland Term Loans”). The first term loan for ISK 10.0 million was entered into effective October 15, 2020 with a maturity date of April 1, 2023 and bears interest on a seven-day term deposit at the Central Bank of Iceland. The second term loan for ISK 30.0 million was entered into effective October 15, 2020 with a maturity date of October 1, 2024 and bears interest on a seven-day term deposit at the Central Bank of Iceland plus 3.07%. The third term loan for ISK 50.0 million was entered into effective December 29, 2020 with a maturity date of February 1, 2023 and bears interest at one-month Reykjavik InterBank Offered Rate (“REIBOR”) plus 4.99%. The Icelandic State Treasury guarantees supplemental loans provided by credit institutions to companies impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, the Icelandic State Treasury guaranteed the repayment of up to 85% of the principal and interest on the ISK 10.0 million and ISK 30.0 million term loans and 70% of the principal amount on the ISK 50.0 million term loan. Loan proceeds will be used to fund operations.

Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt (excluding finance leases) as of December 31, 2020 are as follows:

(in thousands)	Credit Facilities
Year ending December 31,
2021	$	5,820
2022		53
2023		267,306
2024		108
2025		—
Thereafter		—
Total	$	273,287

The aggregate annual maturities and the related amounts representing interest on finance lease obligations are included in Note 20 – Leases and Other.

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Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Note 13. Fair Value Measurements

The fair value of an asset or liability is defined as the price that would be received by selling an asset or paying 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, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	2	$	2	$	—	$	—
Other mutual funds(2)		3,457		3,457		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	3,459	$	3,459	$	—	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2019		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	123	$	123	$	—	$	—
Other mutual funds(2)		3,107		3,107		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	3,230	$	3,230	$	—	$	—

⁽¹⁾ We include money market funds in “Cash and cash equivalents” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We classify these investments as available-for-sale and recorded them 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⁾ We include other mutual funds in “Other investments and assets” 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 nature of these instruments. Refer to Note 12 – Debt and Finance Lease Obligations for the estimated fair value of debt obligations.

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Income (Loss) Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Income (Loss) Per Share

Note 14. Income (Loss) Per Share

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

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2020			2019			2018
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad (diluted)	$	(374,094	)	$	22,035		$	49,170
Less: Allocation to non-vested shares		—			(147	)		(458	)
Convertible preferred stock dividends		(3,006	)		—			—
Adjustment to the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest		(926	)		(1,318	)		(251	)
Net income (loss) allocated to Viad common stockholders (basic)	$	(378,026	)	$	20,570		$	48,461
Basic weighted-average outstanding common shares		20,279			20,146			20,168
Additional dilutive shares related to share-based compensation		—			138			236
Diluted weighted-average outstanding shares		20,279			20,284			20,404
Income (loss) per share:
Basic income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	(18.64	)	$	1.02		$	2.40
Diluted income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders(1)	$	(18.64	)	$	1.02		$	2.40

⁽¹⁾ Diluted loss per share amount cannot exceed basic loss per share.

We excluded the following weighted-average potential common shares from the calculations of diluted net income (loss) per common share during the applicable periods because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Convertible preferred stock (as converted to common stock)		6,406,324		—		—
Unvested restricted share-based awards		115,089		8,000		500
Stock options		24,205		—		—

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Common and Preferred Stock

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Equity [Abstract]

Common and Preferred Stock

Note 15. Common and Preferred Stock

Preferred Stock

We authorized two million shares of Junior Participating Preferred Stock, none of which was outstanding on December 31, 2020 and five million shares of Preferred Stock of which 135,000 shares are outstanding.

Convertible Series A Preferred Stock

On August 5, 2020, we entered into an Investment Agreement with funds managed by private equity firm Crestview Partners, relating to the issuance of 135,000 shares of newly issued Convertible Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $135 million or $1,000 per share. The $135 million issuance was offset in part by $9.2 million of expenses related to the capital raise. The Investment Agreement also includes a delayed draw commitment of up to $45 million in additional Convertible Series A Preferred Stock, which we may access during the 12 months following the August 5, 2020 closing date on the same terms and conditions as the initial investment. We have classified the convertible preferred stock as temporary equity in our Consolidated Balance Sheet due to the existence of certain change in control provisions that are not solely within our control.

The Convertible Series A Preferred Stock carries a 5.5% cumulative quarterly dividend, which is payable in cash or in-kind at Viad’s option and is convertible at the option of the holders into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $21.25 per share. Upon the occurrence of a change in control event, the holders have a right to require Viad to repurchase such preferred stock. During the year ended December 31, 2020, $3.0 million of dividends were deemed declared and paid in-kind.

Holders of the Convertible Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote with holders of Viad’s common stock on an as-converted basis.

Common Stock Repurchases

Our Board of Directors previously authorized us to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices. Effective February 7, 2019, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 500,000 shares. In March 2020, our Board of Directors suspended our share repurchase program for the foreseeable future. Prior to the suspension, we repurchased 53,784 shares on the open market for $2.8 million in 2020. No shares were repurchased on the open market during 2019. During 2018, we repurchased 340,473 shares on the open market for $17.2 million. As of December 31, 2020, 546,283 shares remain available for repurchase. Additionally, we repurchase shares related to tax withholding requirements on vested restricted stock awards. Refer to Note 3 – Share-Based Compensation.

Stockholder Rights Plan

On March 29, 2020, our Board of Directors adopted a short-term stockholder rights plan and declared a dividend payable to stockholders of record on April 13, 2020 of one preferred stock purchase right per each outstanding share of Viad common stock to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of Viad’s Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $115. Our Board of Directors will be able to redeem the rights at $0.01 per right at any time before a person or group acquired 10% (20% in the case of a passive institutional investor) or more of the outstanding common stock. On August 5, 2020, the stockholder rights plan was amended, whereby Crestview and affiliated parties were designated as exempt persons, and as such, the issuance of preferred stock to Crestview did not result in a triggering event. The rights expired on February 28, 2021 in accordance with its original terms.

Subject to limited exceptions, if a person or group acquired 10% (20% in the case of a passive institutional investor) or more of our common stock (including shares that were synthetically owned pursuant to derivative transactions or ownership of derivative securities) or announced a tender offer, and the consummation of that offer would have resulted in such ownership (we refer to such a person or group as an “acquiring person”), each right entitled its holder to purchase, at the right’s then-current exercise price, a number of shares of common stock having a market value at that time of twice the right’s exercise price. Rights held by the acquiring person would have become void and would not be exercisable. If the Company had been acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction that had not been approved by our Board of Directors after the rights would have become exercisable, each right would have entitled its holder to purchase, at the right’s then-current exercise price, a number of shares of the acquiring company’s common stock having a market value at that time of twice the right’s exercise price.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Note 16. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component are as follows:

(in thousands)	Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Unrecognized Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Credit, Net			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	(36,332	)	$	(11,643	)	$	(47,975	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		12,533			(10	)		12,523
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		—			(247	)		(247	)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		12,533			(257	)		12,276
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	(23,799	)	$	(11,900	)	$	(35,699	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		7,113			(27	)		7,086
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		—			(2,028	)		(2,028	)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		7,113			(2,055	)		5,058
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	(16,686	)	$	(13,955	)	$	(30,641	)

Amounts reclassified that relate to our defined benefit pension and postretirement plans include the amortization of prior service costs and actuarial net losses recognized during each period presented. These costs are recorded as components of net periodic cost for each period presented. Refer to Note 18 – Pension and Postretirement Benefits for additional information.

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Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Note 17. 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 U.S. enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) that significantly changed U.S. tax law. One part of this Tax Act required the Company to pay a deemed repatriation tax of $5.2 million on its cumulative foreign E&P.  After application of tax payments and credits, $1.0 million of the liability remains outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and is due in 2024.

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

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2018
Foreign	$	(95,919	)	$	49,171		$	54,753
United States		(264,940	)		(23,061	)		10,256
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(360,859	)	$	26,110		$	65,009

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

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2018
Current:
United States:
Federal	$	(128	)	$	(2,260	)	$	41
State		674			1,400			(335	)
Foreign		(1,397	)		13,764			12,039
Total current		(851	)		12,904			11,745
Deferred:
United States:
Federal		17,171			(3,355	)		1,860
State		2,896			(1,619	)		860
Foreign		(4,970	)		(5,424	)		2,630
Total deferred		15,097			(10,398	)		5,350
Income tax expense	$	14,246		$	2,506		$	17,095

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)	2020					2019					2018
Computed income tax (benefit) expense at statutory federal income tax rate	$	(75,780	)	21.0	%	$	5,483		21.0	%	$	13,665		21.0	%
State income tax (benefit), net of federal benefit		(4,138	)	1.1	%		(173	)	(0.2	)%		3,489		5.4	%
Deemed mandatory repatriation state tax		—		0.0	%		—		0.0	%		(909	)	(1.4	)%
Deemed mandatory repatriation federal tax, net of foreign tax credit		—		0.0	%		—		0.0	%		(1,690	)	(2.6	)%
Remeasurement of deferred taxes due to change in tax rates		—		0.0	%		(4,517	)	(17.3	)%		(510	)	(0.8	)%
Foreign tax rate differential		(401	)	0.1	%		3,122		12.0	%		4,138		6.4	%
U.S. tax (benefit) on current year foreign earnings, net of foreign tax credits		—		0.0	%		(1,792	)	(6.9	)%		(223	)	(0.3	)%
Goodwill impairment		16,471		(4.6	)%		—		0.0	%		—		0.0	%
Change in valuation allowance		77,369		(21.3	)%		920		1.8	%		(653	)	(1.0	)%
Other adjustments, net		725		(0.2	)%		(537	)	(0.8	)%		(212	)	(0.3	)%
Income tax expense	$	14,246		(3.9	)%	$	2,506		9.6	%	$	17,095		26.4	%

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

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019
Deferred tax assets:
Tax credit carryforwards	$	5,326		$	7,879
Pension, compensation, and other employee benefits		11,991			17,231
Provisions for losses		4,623			4,778
Net operating loss carryforwards		44,358			5,371
State income taxes		—			3,089
Leases		660			—
Goodwill and other intangible assets		18,055			—
Other deferred income tax assets		14,175			2,177
Total deferred tax assets		99,188			40,525
Valuation allowance		(81,795	)		(4,276	)
Foreign deferred tax assets included above		(7,717	)		(2,351	)
United States net deferred tax assets		9,676			33,898
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		(24,017	)		(20,681	)
Goodwill and other intangible assets		(8,846	)		(16,172	)
Leases		(857	)		—
Life insurance		—			(3,945	)
Other deferred income tax liabilities		(4,485	)		(1,858	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(38,205	)		(42,656	)
Foreign deferred tax liabilities included above		28,490			31,192
United States net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	(39	)	$	22,434

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. In determining the recoverability of our deferred assets, we considered our cumulative loss incurred over the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 in each tax jurisdiction. Given the weight of objectively verifiable historical losses from our operations, we recorded a valuation allowance on all deferred tax assets in the U.S., United Kingdom, Germany, and Switzerland. We had gross deferred tax assets of $99.2 million as of December 31, 2020 and $40.5 million as of December 31, 2019.

The valuation allowance was $81.8 million at December 31, 2020 and $4.3 million at December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to an increase for net operating losses, credit carryforwards, and deferred tax assets that do not meet the more likely-than-not threshold for recognition.  

As of December 31, 2020, foreign tax credit carryforwards were $4.5 million, of which $3.8 million are foreign tax credits against U.S. income tax, which will begin to expire in 2022 and $0.7 million are creditable against United Kingdom taxes, which can be carried forward indefinitely. As of December 31, 2020, we had $0.7 million of U.S. research and development credit carryforwards.

We had gross federal, state, and foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $371.2 million as of December 31, 2020 and $55.2 million as of December 31, 2019, for which we had deferred tax assets of $44.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and $5.4 million as of December 31, 2019. Certain state net operating loss carryforwards of $181.5 million expire from 2020 through 2039, although many states now have unlimited carryforwards. We recorded a valuation allowance on all net operating losses except losses generated in Canada, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Poland. The Canadian net operating loss carryforwards of $28.4 million may be carried back three years and carried forward 20 years. The net operating losses of Iceland and Poland of $8.8 million will expire between five and ten years. The remaining amount of foreign net operating losses of $25.6 million may be carried forward indefinitely.

We have not recorded deferred taxes for withholding taxes on current unremitted earnings of our subsidiaries located in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands as we expect to reinvest those earnings in operations outside of the U.S.

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 “Other deferred items and liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets unless expected to be paid or released within one year. We had liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions of $0.3 million as of December 31, 2020 and $0.2 million as of December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2020, these amounts do not include any accrual of interest nor penalties as none would be owed on these amounts. We elected that all uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, are classified as a component of income tax expense.

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

(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	1,425
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		31
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		(1,086	)
Balance at December 31, 2018		370
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		151
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		(296	)
Balance at December 31, 2019		225
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		25
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		—
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	250

Our 2017 through 2019 U.S. federal tax years and various state tax years from 2015 through 2019 remain subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities. The tax years 2016 through 2019 remain subject to examination by various foreign taxing jurisdictions.

We received cash refunds from income taxes of $14.9 million during 2020 and paid cash for income taxes of $17.2 million during 2019 and $27.3 million during 2018.

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Pension and Postretirement Benefits

Note 18. 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)	2020			2019			2018
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	—		$	61		$	64
Interest cost		653			861			780
Expected return on plan assets		(145	)		(99	)		(193	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		526			403			494
Net periodic benefit cost		1,034			1,226			1,145
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income:
Net actuarial (gain) loss		1,587			1,305			(76	)
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss		(526	)		(403	)		(494	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income		1,061			902			(570	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income	$	2,095		$	2,128		$	575

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

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2018
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	51		$	64		$	80
Interest cost		296			458			449
Amortization of prior service credit		(146	)		(189	)		(205	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		18			112			405
Net periodic benefit cost		219			445			729
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income:
Net actuarial (gain) loss		688			(1,117	)		170
Prior service credit		—			—			—
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss		(18	)		(112	)		(405	)
Prior service credit		146			189			205
Total recognized in other comprehensive income		816			(1,040	)		(30	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income	$	1,035		$	(595	)	$	699

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

													Postretirement
	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans						Benefit Plans
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	15,572		$	14,235		$	9,462		$	9,271		$	11,986		$	13,454
Service cost		—			—			—			61			51			64
Interest cost		406			527			247			333			296			458
Actuarial adjustments		1,242			1,611			784			753			688			(1,117	)
Benefits paid		(889	)		(801	)		(717	)		(956	)		(802	)		(873	)
Benefit obligation at end of year		16,331			15,572			9,776			9,462			12,219			11,986
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		11,291			10,299			—			—			—			—
Actual return on plan assets		584			1,157			—			—			—			—
Company contributions		892			636			717			956			802			873
Benefits paid		(889	)		(801	)		(717	)		(956	)		(802	)		(873	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		11,878			11,291			—			—			—			—
Funded status at end of year	$	(4,453	)	$	(4,281	)	$	(9,776	)	$	(9,462	)	$	(12,219	)	$	(11,986	)

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)	2020		2019		2020		2019		2020		2019
Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	687	$	703	$	931	$	1,019
Non-current liabilities		4,453		4,281		9,089		8,759		11,288		10,967
Net amount recognized	$	4,453	$	4,281	$	9,776	$	9,462	$	12,219	$	11,986

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

											Postretirement
	Funded Plans					Unfunded Plans					Benefit Plans					Total		Total
(in thousands)	2020		2019			2020		2019			2020		2019			2020		2019
Net actuarial loss	$	9,252	$	8,856		$	3,409	$	2,744		$	1,990	$	1,320		$	14,651	$	12,920
Prior service credit		—		—			—		—			189		43			189		43
Subtotal		9,252		8,856			3,409		2,744			2,179		1,363			14,840		12,963
Less tax effect		—		(2,236	)		—		(693	)		—		(344	)		—		(3,273	)
Total	$	9,252	$	6,620		$	3,409	$	2,051		$	2,179	$	1,019		$	14,840	$	9,690

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

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2020
			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	$	6,430	$	6,430	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		4,485		4,485		—		—
Cash		774		774		—		—
Other		189		—		189		—
Total	$	11,878	$	11,689	$	189	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2019
			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	$	5,267	$	5,267	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		5,518		5,518		—		—
Cash		316		316		—		—
Other		190		—		190		—
Total	$	11,291	$	11,101	$	190	$	—

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
2021	$	1,439	$	695	$	943
2022	$	1,020	$	699	$	925
2023	$	1,012	$	684	$	902
2024	$	975	$	666	$	875
2025	$	1,044	$	648	$	835
2026-2030	$	4,641	$	2,919	$	3,541

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)	2020			2019			2018
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	444		$	405		$	552
Interest cost		365			397			381
Expected return on plan assets		(530	)		(487	)		(505	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		162			127			139
Settlement		—			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost		441			442			567
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss		368			605			(238	)
Reversal of amortization of net actuarial loss		(162	)		(127	)		(139	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		206			478			(377	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income (loss)	$	647		$	920		$	190

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

	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2020			2019
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	9,990		$	8,134		$	2,331		$	2,290
Service cost		444			405			—			—
Interest cost		295			320			70			77
Actuarial adjustments		686			1,037			111			106
Benefits paid		(743	)		(336	)		(180	)		(178	)
Translation adjustment		244			430			117			36
Benefit obligation at end of year		10,916			9,990			2,449			2,331
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		10,013			8,243			—			—
Actual return on plan assets		1,044			1,156			—			—
Company contributions		253			515			180			178
Benefits paid		(743	)		(336	)		(180	)		(178	)
Translation adjustment		231			435			—			—
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		10,798			10,013			—			—
Funded status at end of year	$	(118	)	$	23		$	(2,449	)	$	(2,331	)

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)	2020			2019			2020		2019
Non-current assets	$	(31	)	$	(43	)	$	—	$	—
Other current liabilities		—			—			187		177
Non-current liabilities		149			20			2,262		2,154
Net amount recognized	$	118		$	(23	)	$	2,449	$	2,331

Net actuarial losses for the foreign funded plans recognized in AOCI were $2.7 million ($2.0 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2020 and $2.6 million ($1.9 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2019. Net actuarial losses for the foreign unfunded plans recognized in AOCI were $0.8 million ($0.6 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2020 and $0.7 million ($0.5 million after-tax) as of December 31, 2019.

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, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Fixed income securities	$	5,450	$	5,450	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		5,153		5,153		—		—
Other		195		195		—		—
Total	$	10,798	$	10,798	$	—	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2019		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Fixed income securities	$	5,194	$	5,194	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		4,669		4,669		—		—
Other		150		150		—		—
Total	$	10,013	$	10,013	$	—	$	—

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

(in thousands)	Funded Plans		Unfunded Plans
2021	$	444	$	190
2022	$	402	$	189
2023	$	440	$	188
2024	$	442	$	188
2025	$	441	$	187
2026-2030	$	2,359	$	920

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)	2020		2019		2020		2019
Projected benefit obligation	$	16,331	$	15,572	$	9,776	$	9,462
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	16,331	$	15,572	$	9,776	$	9,454
Fair value of plan assets	$	11,878	$	11,291	$	—	$	—

	Foreign Plans
	Funded Plans				Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2020		2019		2020		2019
Projected benefit obligation	$	10,916	$	9,990	$	2,449	$	2,331
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	10,447	$	9,347	$	2,449	$	2,331
Fair value of plan assets	$	10,798	$	10,013	$	—	$	—

Contributions

In aggregate for both the domestic and foreign plans, we anticipate contributing $0.8 million to the funded pension plans, $0.9 million to the unfunded pension plans, and $0.9 million to the postretirement benefit plans in 2021.

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
	2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019
Discount rate		2.38	%		3.15	%		2.35	%		3.13	%		2.47	%		3.17	%		2.34	%		2.92	%
Rate of compensation increase	N/A			N/A				3.00	%		3.00	%	N/A			N/A				2.35	%		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
	2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019
Discount rate		3.12	%		4.28	%		3.13	%		4.22	%		3.19	%		4.29	%		2.93	%		3.68	%
Expected return on plan assets		5.50	%		5.50	%	N/A			N/A				0.00	%		0.00	%		4.39	%		4.55	%
Rate of compensation increase	N/A			N/A				3.00	%		3.00	%	N/A			N/A				2.35	%		2.34	%

Multi-employer Plans

We contribute to various 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 the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by solvent participating employers. In addition, if we were to discontinue participating in some of our multi-employer pension plans, we could be required to pay a withdrawal liability amount based on the underfunded status of the plan. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we finalized the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement with the Teamsters 727 union. The terms included a withdrawal from the underfunded Central States pension plan. Accordingly, for the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded a charge of $15.5 million, which represents the estimated present value of future contributions we will be required to make to the plan as a result of this withdrawal and $0.2 million of other withdrawal costs. Currently, we do not anticipate triggering any withdrawal from any other multi-employer pension plan to which we currently contribute. 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 2020 is outlined in the following table. Unless otherwise noted, the most recent Pension Protection Act zone status available in 2020 and 2019 relates to the plan’s year end as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, 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.		2020	2019		2020		2019		2018
Pension Fund:
Western Conference of  Teamsters Pension Plan	91-6145047		1	Green	Green	No	$	2,898	$	6,754	$	6,471	No	5/31/2021
Southern California Local 831—Employer Pension Fund(1)	95-6376874		1	Green	Green	No		943		3,427		3,087	No	8/31/2021
IBEW Local Union  No 357 Pension Plan A	88-6023284		1	Green	Green	No		843		1,074		1,025	No	6/16/2021
Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Pension Fund	36-6130207		1	Green	Green	Yes		608		2,877		2,876	No	5/31/2024
Electrical Contractors Assoc. Chicago Local Union 134, IBEW Joint Pension Trust of Chicago Plan #2	51-6030753		2	Green	Green	No		509		1,651		927	No	6/6/2021
Machinery Movers Riggers & Mach Erect Local 136 Supplemental Retirement Plan(1)	36-1416355		11	Yellow	Yellow	Yes		337		797		1,328	Yes	6/30/2024
Southwest Carpenters Pension Trust	95-6042875		1	Green	Green	No		195		717		789	No	7/31/2023
Sign Pictorial & Display Industry Pension Plan(1)	94-6278490		1	Green	Green	No		92		768		778	No	3/31/2021
Southern California IBEW-NECA Pension Fund	95-6392774		1	Yellow	Yellow	Yes		89		799		881	Yes	8/31/2021
New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension	04-6372430		1	Red	Red	Yes		42		506		423	No	3/31/2022
Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan	36-6044243		1	Red	Red	Yes		7		872		1,177	No	3/31/2023
All other funds(2)								963		3,625		3,734
Total contributions to defined benefit plans								7,526		23,867		23,496
Total contributions to other plans								1,066		3,416		2,900
Total contributions to multi-employer plans							$	8,592	$	27,283	$	26,396

⁽¹⁾ We contributed more than 5% of total plan contributions for the plan year detailed in the plans’ most recent Form 5500s.

⁽²⁾ Represents participation in 31 pension funds during 2020.

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 $1.7 million for 2020, $5.0 million for 2019, and $4.8 million for 2018. In April 2020, we suspended our 401(k) Plan employer match contributions. The employer match was reinstated in October 2020.

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Restructuring Charges

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring Charges

Note 19. Restructuring Charges

GES

As part of our efforts to drive efficiencies and simplify our business operations, we took certain restructuring actions designed to simplify and transform GES for greater profitability. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we accelerated our transformation and streamlining efforts at GES to significantly reduce costs and create a lower and more flexible cost structure focused on servicing our more profitable market segments. These initiatives included recording restructuring charges related to the elimination of certain positions and facility closures at GES, as well as charges related to the closure and liquidation of GES’ United Kingdom-based audio-visual services business. During 2019, we completed some strategic simplification actions, including a facility consolidation in Las Vegas and other restructuring actions. As a result, we recorded restructuring charges 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						Other Restructurings
(in thousands)	Severance & Employee Benefits			Facilities			Severance & Employee Benefits			Total
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	1,551		$	807		$	191		$	2,549
Restructuring charges		1,457			—			130			1,587
Cash payments		(1,379	)		(156	)		(181	)		(1,716	)
Adjustment to liability		410			(451	)		(128	)		(169	)
Balance at December 31, 2018		2,039			200			12			2,251
Restructuring charges		6,071			1,817			492			8,380
Cash payments		(5,169	)		(752	)		(272	)		(6,193	)
Adjustment to liability		(6	)		74			7			75
Balance at December 31, 2019		2,935			1,339			239			4,513
Restructuring charges		6,563			5,784			1,093			13,440
Cash payments		(7,051	)		(2,573	)		(1,201	)		(10,825	)
Non-cash items(1)		—			(1,789	)		—			(1,789	)
Adjustment to liability		(7	)		5			(107	)		(109	)
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	2,440		$	2,766		$	24		$	5,230

(1) Represents the impact related to the closure and liquidation of GES’ United Kingdom-based audio-visual services business during the year ended December 31, 2020.

As of December 31, 2020, we expect to pay all but $1.6 million of the liabilities related to severance and employee benefits by the end of 2021. The liability related to future lease payments will be paid over the remaining lease terms. Refer to Note 23 – Segment Information, for information regarding restructuring charges by segment.

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Leases and Other

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Leases and Other

Note 20. Leases and Other

The balance sheet presentation of our operating and finance leases is as follows:

		December 31,
(in thousands)	Classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	2020		2019
Assets:
Operating lease assets	Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	82,739	$	103,314
Finance lease assets	Property and equipment, net		23,366		25,350
Total lease assets		$	106,105	$	128,664
Liabilities:
Current:
Operating lease obligations	Operating lease obligations	$	15,697	$	22,180
Finance lease obligations	Current portion of debt and finance lease obligations		2,514		3,386
Noncurrent:
Operating lease obligations	Long-term operating lease obligations		70,150		82,851
Finance lease obligations	Long-term debt and finance lease obligations		20,627		21,871
Total lease liabilities		$	108,988	$	130,288

The components of lease expense consisted of the following:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	$	3,662	$	2,780
Interest on lease liabilities		1,668		924
Operating lease cost		27,259		26,511
Short-term lease cost		701		1,932
Variable lease cost		5,672		6,271
Total lease cost, net	$	38,962	$	38,418

Other information related to operating and finance leases are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	26,250		$	28,146
Operating cash flows from finance leases	$	1,948		$	502
Financing cash flows from finance leases	$	3,543		$	2,698
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	$	659		$	125,755
Finance leases	$	2,141		$	18,822
	December 31,
	2020			2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):
Operating leases		8.39			8.17
Finance leases		13.97			14.01
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases		6.93	%		5.77	%
Finance leases		7.99	%		7.73	%

As of December 31, 2020, the estimated future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases, excluding variable leases and variable non-lease components, are as follows:

(in thousands)	Operating Leases			Finance Leases			Total
2021	$	22,046		$	4,405		$	26,451
2022		16,567			3,917			20,484
2023		13,489			3,397			16,886
2024		10,314			2,724			13,038
2025		8,994			2,193			11,187
Thereafter		45,101			22,973			68,074
Total future lease payments		116,511			39,609			156,120
Less: Amount representing interest		(30,664	)		(16,468	)		(47,132	)
Present value of minimum lease payments		85,847			23,141			108,988
Current portion		15,697			2,514			18,211
Long-term portion	$	70,150		$	20,627		$	90,777

As of December 31, 2020, the estimated future minimum rentals under non-cancellable leases, which includes rental income from facilities that we own, are as follows:

(in thousands)
2021	$	1,612
2022		1,089
2023		869
2024		646
2025		493
Thereafter		1,332
Total minimum sublease rents	$	6,041

Leases Not Yet Commenced

As of December 31, 2020, we had executed certain facility and land leases for which we did not have control of the underlying assets. Accordingly, we did not record the lease liabilities and ROU assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These leases include future planned attractions for Pursuit that are currently in the planning or development phase and that we expect the lease commencement dates to begin between fiscal years 2021 and 2023 with lease terms of 23 to 47 years.

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Litigation, Claims, Contingencies, and Other

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Litigation, Claims, Contingencies, and Other

Note 21. 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. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded an $8.5 million charge to resolve a legal dispute at GES involving a former industry contractor. Although the amount of liability as of December 31, 2020 with respect to unresolved legal 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.

On July 18, 2020, an off-road Ice Explorer operated by our Pursuit business was involved in an accident while enroute to the Athabasca Glacier, resulting in three fatalities and multiple other serious injuries. We continue to support the victims and their families, and we are fully cooperating with the applicable regulatory authorities to investigate this accident. We immediately reported the accident to our relevant insurance carriers, who are also supporting the investigation and subsequent claims. Subject to customary deductibles, we believe that our insurance coverage is sufficient to cover potential claims related to this accident.

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, 2020, we had recorded environmental remediation liabilities of $2.2 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, 2020, 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 and equipment leases 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, 2020 would be $91.7 million. These guarantees relate to our leased equipment and facilities through January 2040. 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 pursuant to which 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 2021 will be renegotiated in the ordinary course of business. Although our labor relations are currently stable, disruptions could occur, with the possibility of an adverse impact on the operating results of GES. During 2019, we finalized the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement with the Teamsters Local 727 union. The terms included a withdrawal from the underfunded Central States Pension Plan. Accordingly, during 2019 we recorded a charge of $15.5 million, which represents the estimated present value of future contributions we will be required to make to the plan as a result of this withdrawal. Refer to Note 18 – Pension and Postretirement Benefits for additional information on specific union-related pension issues.

We are self-insured up to certain limits for workers’ compensation and general liabilities, which includes automobile, product general liability, and client property loss claims. The aggregate amount of insurance liabilities (up to our retention limit) related to our continuing operations was $12.4 million as of December 31, 2020, which includes $7.8 million related to workers’ compensation liabilities, and $4.6 million related to general liability claims. We have also retained and provided for certain workers’ compensation insurance liabilities in conjunction with previously sold businesses of $2.0 million as of December 31, 2020. We are also self-insured for certain employee health benefits and the estimated employee health benefit claims incurred but not yet reported was $0.8 million as of December 31, 2020. Provisions for losses for claims incurred, including actuarially derived 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 $5.0 million for 2020, $6.9 million for 2019, and $5.4 million for 2018.

In addition, as of December 31, 2020, we have recorded insurance liabilities of $6.4 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. The $6.4 million is related to workers’ compensation liabilities, which is 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, 2020

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

Note 22. 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. Through Esja and its wholly-owned subsidiary, we are operating a new FlyOver Iceland attraction.

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

Changes in the redeemable noncontrolling interest are as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	5,909
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		(821	)
Adjustment to the redemption value		1,318
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(234	)
Balance at December 31, 2019		6,172
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		(1,482	)
Adjustment to the redemption value		926
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(391	)
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	5,225

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Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Note 23. Segment Information

We measure the profit and performance of our operations on the basis of segment operating income (loss) which excludes restructuring charges and recoveries 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)	2020			2019			2018
Revenue:
GES:
GES North America	$	288,921		$	884,105		$	866,187
GES EMEA		53,384			216,559			202,990
Intersegment eliminations		(3,680	)		(20,741	)		(17,140	)
Total GES		338,625			1,079,923			1,052,037
Pursuit		76,810			222,813			185,287
Total revenue	$	415,435		$	1,302,736		$	1,237,324
Segment operating income (loss):
GES:
GES North America	$	(56,446	)	$	27,659		$	29,981
GES EMEA		(17,451	)		8,274			9,621
Total GES		(73,897	)		35,933			39,602
Pursuit		(42,343	)		54,310			48,915
Segment operating income (loss)		(116,240	)		90,243			88,517
Corporate eliminations (1)		65			67			67
Corporate activities		(8,687	)		(10,865	)		(10,993	)
Operating income (loss)		(124,862	)		79,445			77,591
Interest income		377			369			354
Interest expense		(18,264	)		(14,199	)		(9,640	)
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal		(462	)		(15,693	)		—
Other expense		(1,132	)		(1,586	)		(1,744	)
Restructuring (charges) recoveries:
GES North America		(3,825	)		(6,157	)		(408	)
GES EMEA		(8,522	)		(1,731	)		(1,049	)
Pursuit		(132	)		(52	)		(140	)
Corporate		(961	)		(440	)		10
Impairment (charges) recoveries:
GES North America		(171,095	)		(5,346	)		—
GES EMEA		(30,223	)		—			—
Pursuit		(1,758	)		—			35
Legal settlement:
GES		—			(8,500	)		—
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(360,859	)	$	26,110		$	65,009

^{(1) Corporate eliminations 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.}

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019		2018
Assets:
GES:
GES North America	$	134,162	$	475,279	$	406,484
GES EMEA		50,644		132,975		111,798
Pursuit		620,413		589,205		357,630
Corporate and other		48,005		121,232		46,629
	$	853,224	$	1,318,691	$	922,541
Depreciation and amortization:
GES:
GES North America	$	24,022	$	29,321	$	30,855
GES EMEA		4,053		6,260		7,071
Pursuit		28,393		23,154		18,690
Corporate and other		97		229		226
	$	56,565	$	58,964	$	56,842
Capital expenditures:
GES:
GES North America	$	9,003	$	19,099	$	19,263
GES EMEA		1,388		7,098		7,065
Pursuit		43,176		49,934		56,865
Corporate and other		—		16		152
	$	53,567	$	76,147	$	83,345

Geographic Areas

Our foreign operations are primarily in Canada, the United Kingdom, Iceland, the Netherlands, Germany, and to a lesser extent, in certain other countries. 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)	2020		2019		2018
Revenue:
United States	$	290,541	$	873,213	$	850,839
EMEA		56,656		218,404		202,990
Canada		68,238		211,119		183,495
Total revenue	$	415,435	$	1,302,736	$	1,237,324
Long-lived assets:
United States	$	173,790	$	205,399	$	182,140
EMEA		56,996		63,582		48,553
Canada		276,860		277,039		146,064
Total long-lived assets	$	507,646	$	546,020	$	376,757

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Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

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:

2020	2020												2019
(in thousands, except per share data)	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter			First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter
Revenue as previously reported	$	306,008		$	30,863		$	63,072					$	285,594		$	402,279		$	353,743		$	321,334
Gross to net correction(1)		(11,350	)		(796	)		(265	)					(12,572	)		(25,815	)		(1,234	)		(20,593	)
Revenue as corrected	$	294,658		$	30,067		$	62,807		$	27,903		$	273,022		$	376,464		$	352,509		$	300,741
Operating income (loss):
Ongoing operations(2)	$	(9,400	)	$	(49,736	)	$	(6,765	)	$	(50,274	)	$	(11,236	)	$	46,442		$	54,822		$	141
Business interruption gain		—			—			—			—			—			141			—			—
Corporate activities		(789	)		(2,468	)		(2,645	)		(2,785	)		(1,833	)		(3,282	)		(2,680	)		(3,070	)
Interest income		79			176			58			64			98			83			79			109
Interest expense		(4,018	)		(5,186	)		(5,508	)		(3,552	)		(2,915	)		(2,957	)		(3,740	)		(4,587	)
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal		—			(462	)		—			—			—			(15,508	)		—			(185	)
Other expense, net		(419	)		(265	)		(210	)		(238	)		(455	)		(456	)		(281	)		(394	)
Restructuring charges		(851	)		(260	)		(11,259	)		(1,070	)		(688	)		(4,455	)		(1,702	)		(1,535	)
Legal settlement		—			—			—			—			(8,500	)		—			—			—
Impairment charges		(88,380	)		(114,020	)		(676	)		—			—			—			—			(5,346	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(103,778	)	$	(172,221	)	$	(27,005	)	$	(57,855	)	$	(25,529	)	$	20,008		$	46,498		$	(14,867	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Viad	$	(86,131	)	$	(205,899	)	$	(29,769	)	$	(50,448	)	$	(17,490	)	$	13,364		$	31,557		$	(5,315	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad	$	(86,585	)	$	(206,278	)	$	(30,758	)	$	(50,473	)	$	(17,777	)	$	13,824		$	31,416		$	(5,428	)
Diluted income (loss) per common share:(3)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	(4.27	)	$	(10.17	)	$	(1.54	)	$	(2.57	)	$	(0.88	)	$	0.65		$	1.54		$	(0.30	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	(4.29	)	$	(10.19	)	$	(1.59	)	$	(2.58	)	$	(0.89	)	$	0.67		$	1.53		$	(0.31	)

⁽¹⁾ The quarterly financial data for the four quarters of 2019 and the first three quarters of 2020 were adjusted for immaterial errors related to the recognition of revenue of GES’ Corporate Accounts’ third-party services. Refer to Note 1 – Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for additional information. The Company intends to correct for these errors prospectively in subsequent quarterly filings.

⁽²⁾ Represents revenue less costs of services and cost of products sold.

⁽³⁾ The sum of quarterly income per share amounts may not equal annual income per share due to rounding.

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Subsequent Events

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

Note 25. Subsequent Event

Sale of Orlando warehouse

On January 25, 2021, we sold a GES warehouse in Orlando and received cash proceeds of approximately $14 million.

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Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

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, 2018		2,023		414		39		(1,170	)		(18	)		1,288
December 31, 2019		1,288		1,050		45		(1,182	)		(1	)		1,200
December 31, 2020		1,200		6,712		17		(2,628	)		9			5,310
Deferred tax valuation allowance:
December 31, 2018		4,010		1,230		—		(1,851	)		(33	)		3,356
December 31, 2019		3,356		884		—		—			36			4,276
December 31, 2020		4,276		77,369		—		—			150			81,795

⁽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, 2020

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 were 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 a leading provider of experiential leisure travel and face-to-face events and marketing experiences company with operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, continental Europe, the United Arab Emirates, and Iceland. We are committed to providing unforgettable experiences to our clients and guests. We operate through three reportable business segments: GES North America, GES EMEA (collectively, “GES”), and Pursuit.

GES

GES is a global, full-service live events company offering a comprehensive range of services to event organizers and corporate brand marketers. Event organizers schedule and run events 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 inspiring and unforgettable travel experiences that includes recreational attractions, unique hotels and lodges, food and beverage, retail, sightseeing, and ground transportation services. Pursuit comprises the Banff Jasper Collection, the Alaska Collection, the Glacier Park Collection, and FlyOver.

Impact of COVID-19

Impact of COVID-19

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a “pandemic.” COVID-19 has spread rapidly, with a high concentration of confirmed cases in the U.S. and other countries in which we operate. The rapid spread has resulted in authorities around the world implementing numerous measures to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders, and business shutdowns. The COVID-19 pandemic and these containment measures have had, and are expected to continue to have, a substantial negative impact on businesses around the world and on global, regional, and national economies.

The COVID-19 pandemic is having and will likely continue to have a significant and negative impact on our operations and financial performance, with live events largely shut down and severe tourism activity disruptions. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented aggressive cost reduction measures to preserve cash, including furloughs, layoffs, mandatory unpaid time off, or salary reductions for all employees, and the reduction of discretionary spending. We continue to implement measures to successfully adapt for the long-term impact of COVID-19. During 2020, we secured additional capital to strengthen our liquidity position and amended our Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2018 Credit Agreement”) to provide financial covenant relief and financial flexibility.

Investment Agreement

Investment Agreement

On August 5, 2020, we entered into an investment agreement with funds managed by private equity firm Crestview Partners (the “Investment Agreement”) who made an initial investment of $135 million, offset in part by $9.2 million in fees, in newly issued perpetual convertible preferred stock that carries a 5.5% cumulative quarterly dividend, which is payable in cash or in-kind at Viad’s option (the “Convertible Preferred Stock”). The Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $21.25 per share. The Investment Agreement also includes a delayed draw commitment of up to $45 million in additional Convertible Preferred Stock, which we may access during the 12 months following the August 5, 2020 closing date on the same terms and conditions as the initial investment. The proceeds from Crestview’s initial investment were used to repay a portion of our 2018 Credit Facility, will provide additional short-term liquidity, will fund capital expenditures, and will support general corporate purposes. Pursuant to the Investment Agreement, two Crestview Partners’ designees joined our Board of Directors, increasing the size of our board from seven to nine directors.

Credit Agreement Amendment

Credit Agreement Amendment

On August 5, 2020, we entered into an amendment to our 2018 Credit Agreement, which, among other things, (i) waives our financial covenants until September 30, 2022 (the “Covenant Waiver Period”) and (ii) requires us to maintain minimum liquidity of $100 million, with liquidity defined as unrestricted cash and available capacity on our 2018 Credit Facility. The interest rate on the borrowings is equal to the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 350 basis points, with a LIBOR floor of one percent during the Covenant Waiver Period. The LIBOR floor continues until the end of the 2018 Credit Agreement. Viad pledged 100% of the capital stock of its wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries and its top-tier foreign subsidiaries (other than Esja Attractions ehf.). Fees related to the amendment were approximately $1.7 million.

Management anticipates that the initial cash proceeds from Crestview Partners, existing cash and cash equivalents, and the amendment to waive financial covenants within the 2018 Credit Agreement until September 30, 2022 will be sufficient to fund operations for at least the next 12 months.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Impairments

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Impairments

Due to the deteriorating macroeconomic environment related to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in disruptions to our operations and the decline in our stock price, we determined interim triggering events had occurred in the first and second quarters of 2020, which required us to assess the carrying values of goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. Based on this assessment, we recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $185.8 million during 2020, which included a full impairment charge to the remaining GES goodwill balance. Our remaining goodwill balance as of December 31, 2020 of $99.8 million pertains to our Pursuit business. We also recorded a non-cash impairment charge to intangible assets of $15.7 million during 2020 related to our U.S. audio-visual production business. The duration and impact of COVID-19 may result in additional future impairment charges as facts and circumstances evolve. Refer to Note 9 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for additional information.

Correction to Prior Period Financial Statements

Correction to Prior Period Financial Statements

Subsequent to the issuance of the December 31, 2019 consolidated financial statements, we identified prior period errors related to the recognition of revenue of GES’ Corporate Accounts’ third-party services. Revenue from these services should have been recorded on a net basis to reflect only the fees received for arranging these services, whereas previously, we recorded this revenue on a gross basis, thus overstating revenue and cost of services by the same amount. As a result, we corrected the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 related to this gross-to-net adjustment.

We determined that the error is not material to the previously issued financial statements. Note 2 – Revenue and Related Contract Costs and Contract Liabilities, Note 23 – Segment Information, and Note 24 – Selected Quarterly Financial Information reflect this correction.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2019						2018
(in thousands)	Services Revenue			Cost of Services			Services Revenue			Cost of Services
As previously reported	$	1,170,493		$	1,100,146		$	1,110,249		$	1,039,403
Gross to net correction for GES North America		(51,927	)		(51,927	)		(43,603	)		(43,603	)
Gross to net correction for GES EMEA		(17,032	)		(17,032	)		(15,257	)		(15,257	)
Total as corrected	$	1,101,534		$	1,031,187		$	1,051,389		$	980,543

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. 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: impairment testing of recorded goodwill and intangible assets and long-lived assets; allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable; sales reserve allowances; 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; pension and postretirement benefit costs and obligations; share-based compensation costs; the discount rates used to value lease obligations; the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests; and the allocation of purchase price of acquired businesses. Actual results could differ from these and other estimates.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

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 funds. Investments in money market funds are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value. Restricted cash represents collateral required for surety bonds and letters of credit.

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash balances presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	39,545	$	61,999
Restricted cash included in other current assets		2,426		5
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows	$	41,971	$	62,004

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

We state inventories, which consist primarily of exhibit design and construction materials and supplies, as well as retail inventory, 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

Leases

Leases

We recognize a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and lease liability on the balance sheet and classify leases as either finance or operating leases. The classification of the lease determines whether the lease expense is recognized on an effective interest method basis (finance lease) or on a straight-line basis (operating lease) over the lease term. In determining whether an agreement contains a lease, we consider if we have a right to control the use of the underlying asset during the lease term in exchange for an obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. We recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities at commencement date, which is when the underlying asset is available for use to a lessee, based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term.

Our operating and finance leases are primarily facility, equipment, and land leases. Our facility leases comprise mainly manufacturing facilities, sales and design facilities, offices, storage and/or warehouses, and truck marshaling yards. These facility leases generally have lease terms ranging up to 23 years. Our equipment leases comprise mainly vehicles, hardware, and office equipment, each with various lease terms. Our land leases comprise mainly leases in Canada and Iceland on which our hotels or attractions are located and have lease terms ranging up to 47 years.

If a lease contains a renewal option that is reasonably certain to be exercised, then the lease term includes the optional periods in measuring a ROU asset and lease liability. The reasonably certain threshold is evaluated at lease commencement and is typically met if we identify substantial economic incentives or termination penalties. We do not include variable leases and variable non-lease components in the calculation of the ROU asset and corresponding lease liability. For facility leases, variable lease costs include the costs of common area maintenance, taxes, and insurance for which we pay our lessors an estimate that is adjusted to actual expense on a quarterly or annual basis depending on the underlying contract terms. We expense these variable lease payments as incurred. Our lease agreements do not contain any significant residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants.

Substantially all of our lease agreements do not specify an implicit borrowing rate, and as such, we utilize an incremental borrowing rate based on lease term and country, in order to calculate the present value of our future lease payments. The discount rate represents a risk-adjusted rate on a collateralized basis and is the expected rate at which we would borrow funds to satisfy the scheduled lease liability payment streams commensurate with the lease term and the country.  

We are also a lessor to third party tenants who either lease certain portions of facilities that we own or sublease certain portions of facilities that we lease. We record lease income from owned facilities as rental income and we record sublease income from leased

facilities against lease expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We classify all of our leases for which we are the lessor as operating leases.

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 had Company-owned life insurance contracts that were intended to fund the cost of certain employee compensation and benefit programs. These contracts were carried at cash surrender value, net of outstanding policy loans. The cash surrender value represented 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, were included as a component of “Costs of services” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In 2020, we terminated the life insurance policies and received cash proceeds of $24.8 million.

Self-Insurance Liabilities

Self-Insurance Liabilities

We are self-insured up to certain limits for workers’ compensation and general liabilities, which includes automobile, product general liability, and client property loss claims. We have also retained and provided for certain workers’ compensation insurance liabilities in conjunction with previously sold operations. We are also self-insured for certain employee health benefits. Provisions for losses for claims incurred, including actuarially derived estimated claims incurred but not yet reported, are made based on historical experience, claims frequency, and other factors. We have 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 12 – Debt and Finance Lease Obligations for the estimated fair value of debt obligations.

The fair value of an asset or liability is defined as the price that would be received by selling an asset or paying 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.

Convertible Preferred Stock

Convertible Preferred Stock

We record shares of convertible preferred stock based on proceeds received net of costs on the date of issuance. Redeemable preferred stock (including preferred stock that features redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) is classified as temporary equity and is reported between liabilities and stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Noncontrolling Interests - Non-redeemable and Redeemable

Noncontrolling Interests – Non-redeemable and Redeemable

Non-redeemable noncontrolling interest represents the portion of equity in a subsidiary that is not attributable, directly or indirectly, to us. Our non-redeemable noncontrolling interest relates to the 20% equity ownership interest that we do not own in Glacier Park, Inc., the 40% equity interest that we do not own in the Mountain Park Lodges, and the 49% equity interest that we do not own in the new entity that will operate the Pursuit Sky Lagoon attraction. We report non-redeemable noncontrolling interest within stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of consolidated net income or loss attributable to Viad and the non-redeemable noncontrolling interest is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  

We consider noncontrolling interests with redemption features that are not solely within our control to be redeemable noncontrolling interests. Our redeemable noncontrolling interest relates to our 54.5% equity ownership interest in Esja Attractions ehf. (“Esja”), which owns the FlyOver Iceland attraction. The Esja shareholders 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 in the Consolidated Statements of

Operations and the accretion of the redemption value is recorded as an adjustment to retained earnings (deficit) and is included in our income (loss) per share. Refer to Note 22 – Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest for additional information.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

Our foreign operations are primarily in Canada, the United Kingdom, Iceland, 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 measured based on a specified amount of consideration in a contract with a customer, net of commissions paid to customers and amounts collected on behalf of third parties. We recognize revenue when a performance obligation is satisfied by transferring control of a product or service to a customer.

GES’ service revenue is primarily derived through its comprehensive range of services to event organizers and corporate brand marketers including Core Services, Event Technology, and Audio-visual. GES’ service revenue is earned over time over the duration of the exhibition, conference or corporate event, which generally lasts one to three days. Revenue for goods and services provided for which we do not have control of the goods or services before that good or service is transferred to a customer is recorded on a net basis to reflect only the fees received for arranging these services. GES’ product revenue is derived from the build of exhibits and environments and graphics. GES’ product revenue is recognized at a point in time upon delivery of the product.

Pursuit’s service revenue is derived through its admissions, accommodations, transportation, and travel planning services. Pursuit’s product revenue is derived through food and beverage and retail sales. Pursuit’s revenue is recognized at the time services are performed or upon delivery of the product. Pursuit’s service revenue is recognized over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits. Pursuit’s product revenue is recognized at a point in time.

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 awards, restricted stock units, performance units, and stock options, and contain forfeiture and non-compete provisions. We issue share-based payment awards from shares held in treasury. Future vesting is generally subject to continued employment. Holders of share-based awards 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.

We account for share-based payment awards that will be settled in cash as liability-based awards, which includes performance units and restricted stock units. We measure share-based compensation expense of liability-based awards at fair value at each reporting date until the date of settlement 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 reporting date based on our stock price and the Monte Carlo simulation model. A Monte Carlo simulation requires the use of several assumptions, including historical volatility and correlation between our stock price and the price of the common shares of a comparator group, a risk-free rate of return, and an expected term. Share-based compensation expense related to liability-based awards is recognized ratably over the requisite service period of approximately three years.

We account for share-based awards that will be settled in shares of our common stock as equity-based awards, which include performance units, restricted stock units, and restricted stock awards. We measure share-based compensation expense of equity-based awards at fair value on the grant date on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The estimated number of shares to be achieved is updated each reporting period based on the number of units expected to vest and, where applicable, the level of achievement of predefined performance goals, until the date of settlement. Share-based compensation expense related to equity-based awards is recognized ratably over the requisite service period ranging from three months to three years.

The fair value of stock option grants is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes stock option pricing model. We grant non-qualified stock options that are performance-based and service-based. The performance-based awards are recognized on a straight-line basis over the performance period ranging up to 3.4 years, and the underlying shares expected to be settled are adjusted each reporting period based on estimated future achievement of the respective performance metrics. The service-based awards are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period on a graded-vesting schedule over two years. The exercise price of stock options is based on the market value of our common stock at the date of grant.

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 (Loss) Per Common Share

Diluted income per common share is calculated using the more dilutive of the two-class method or as-converted method. The two-class method uses net income available to common stockholders and assumes conversion of all potential shares other than the participating securities. The as-converted method uses net income and assumes conversion of all potential shares including the participating securities. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options, unvested restricted share units and convertible preferred stock. We apply the two-class method in calculating income per common share as unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends and preferred stock 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 2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40)	The amendment simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments by reducing the number of accounting models available for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock. The amendment also requires expanded disclosures about the terms and features of convertible instruments. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020.	1/1/2022	We are currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this new guidance on our consolidated financial statements and if there are applicable provisions that will simplify our accounting or reporting we will likely pursue early adoption.

Standard	Description	Date of adoption	Effect on the financial statements
Standards Recently Adopted
ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments	The amendment eliminates the incurred credit loss impairment methodology and replaces it with an expected credit loss concept based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.	1/1/2020	We adopted this new standard on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of this new standard on January 1, 2020 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)	The amendment provides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. Topic 848 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met.	3/12/2020	Topic 848 was effective beginning on March 12, 2020, and we will apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022. There was no impact to our consolidated financial statements as a result of adopting this amendment.
ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes	The amendment enhances and simplifies various aspects of the income tax accounting guidance, including requirements such as ownership changes in investments, and interim-period accounting for enacted changes in tax law.	1/1/2021	The adoption of this new standard on January 1, 2021 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Schedule of Corrections to Prior Period Adjustments

We determined that the error is not material to the previously issued financial statements. Note 2 – Revenue and Related Contract Costs and Contract Liabilities, Note 23 – Segment Information, and Note 24 – Selected Quarterly Financial Information reflect this correction.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2019						2018
(in thousands)	Services Revenue			Cost of Services			Services Revenue			Cost of Services
As previously reported	$	1,170,493		$	1,100,146		$	1,110,249		$	1,039,403
Gross to net correction for GES North America		(51,927	)		(51,927	)		(43,603	)		(43,603	)
Gross to net correction for GES EMEA		(17,032	)		(17,032	)		(15,257	)		(15,257	)
Total as corrected	$	1,101,534		$	1,031,187		$	1,051,389		$	980,543

Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Balances

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash balances presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	39,545	$	61,999
Restricted cash included in other current assets		2,426		5
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows	$	41,971	$	62,004

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Revenue and Related Contract Costs and Contract Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]

Summary of Changes in Contract Liabilities

Changes to contract liabilities are as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2019	$	35,600
Cash additions		210,871
Revenue recognized		(196,158	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		483
Balance at December 31, 2019		50,796
Cash additions		154,057
Revenue recognized		(186,518	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		283
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	18,618

Summary of Changes in Contract Costs

Changes to contract costs are as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2019	$	21,478
Additions		74,274
Expenses		(67,425	)
Cancelled		(68	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		237
Balance at December 31, 2019		28,496
Additions		19,517
Expenses		(25,381	)
Cancelled		(11,482	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(315	)
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	10,835

Disaggregate GES and Pursuit Revenue by Major Product Line Timing of Revenue Recognition and Markets Served

The following tables disaggregate GES and Pursuit revenue by major product line, timing of revenue recognition, and markets served:

GES

	Year Ended December 31, 2020
(in thousands)	GES North America		GES EMEA		Intersegment Eliminations			Total
Services:
Core services	$	231,666	$	33,556	$	—		$	265,222
Audio-visual		20,148		4,126		—			24,274
Event technology		9,150		3,979		—			13,129
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(3,680	)		(3,680	)
Total services		260,964		41,661		(3,680	)		298,945
Products:
Core products		27,957		11,723		—			39,680
Total revenue	$	288,921	$	53,384	$	(3,680	)	$	338,625
Timing of revenue recognition:
Services transferred over time	$	260,964	$	41,661	$	(3,680	)	$	298,945
Products transferred over time(1)		13,068		2,449		—			15,517
Products transferred at a point in time		14,889		9,274		—			24,163
Total revenue	$	288,921	$	53,384	$	(3,680	)	$	338,625
Markets:
Exhibitions	$	211,953	$	40,077	$	—		$	252,030
Conferences		41,371		7,789		—			49,160
Corporate events		24,521		5,353		—			29,874
Consumer events		11,076		165		—			11,241
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(3,680	)		(3,680	)
Total revenue	$	288,921	$	53,384	$	(3,680	)	$	338,625

⁽¹⁾ GES’ graphics product revenue is earned over time over the duration of an event as it is considered a part of the single performance obligation satisfied over time.

	Year Ended December 31, 2019
(in thousands)	GES North America		GES EMEA		Intersegment Eliminations			Total
Services:
Core services	$	701,721	$	113,900	$	—		$	815,621
Audio-visual		78,178		24,197		—			102,375
Event technology		29,600		9,749		—			39,349
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(20,741	)		(20,741	)
Total services		809,499		147,846		(20,741	)		936,604
Products:
Core products		74,606		68,713		—			143,319
Total revenue	$	884,105	$	216,559	$	(20,741	)	$	1,079,923
Timing of revenue recognition:
Services transferred over time	$	809,499	$	147,846	$	(20,741	)	$	936,604
Products transferred over time(1)		45,597		16,071		—			61,668
Products transferred at a point in time		29,009		52,642		—			81,651
Total revenue	$	884,105	$	216,559	$	(20,741	)	$	1,079,923
Markets:
Exhibitions	$	463,653	$	159,397	$	—		$	623,050
Conferences		253,511		24,499		—			278,010
Corporate events		139,935		31,627		—			171,562
Consumer events		27,006		1,036		—			28,042
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(20,741	)		(20,741	)
Total revenue	$	884,105	$	216,559	$	(20,741	)	$	1,079,923

⁽¹⁾ GES’ graphics product revenue is earned over time over the duration of an event as it is considered a part of the single performance obligation satisfied over time.

	Year Ended December 31, 2018
(in thousands)	GES North America		GES EMEA		Intersegment Eliminations			Total
Services:
Core services	$	689,804	$	105,114	$	—		$	794,918
Audio-visual		73,331		22,011		—			95,342
Event technology		30,208		10,658		—			40,866
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(17,140	)		(17,140	)
Total services		793,343		137,783		(17,140	)		913,986
Products:
Core products		72,844		65,207		—			138,051
Total revenue	$	866,187	$	202,990	$	(17,140	)	$	1,052,037
Timing of revenue recognition:
Services transferred over time	$	793,343	$	137,783	$	(17,140	)	$	913,986
Products transferred over time(1)		44,109		16,084		—			60,193
Products transferred at a point in time		28,735		49,123		—			77,858
Total revenue	$	866,187	$	202,990	$	(17,140	)	$	1,052,037
Markets:
Exhibitions	$	486,400	$	149,338	$	—		$	635,738
Conferences		223,096		24,209		—			247,305
Corporate events		126,084		27,413		—			153,497
Consumer events		30,607		2,030		—			32,637
Intersegment eliminations		—		—		(17,140	)		(17,140	)
Total revenue	$	866,187	$	202,990	$	(17,140	)	$	1,052,037

⁽¹⁾ GES’ graphics product revenue is earned over time over the duration of an event as it is considered a part of the single performance obligation satisfied over time.

Pursuit

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2018
Services:
Admissions	$	19,939		$	85,371		$	83,000
Accommodations		29,800			60,672			37,470
Transportation		2,694			14,594			13,956
Travel planning		467			5,979			4,529
Intersegment eliminations		(317	)		(1,686	)		(1,551	)
Total services revenue		52,583			164,930			137,404
Products:
Food and beverage		10,295			31,838			25,962
Retail operations		13,932			26,045			21,921
Total products revenue		24,227			57,883			47,883
Total revenue	$	76,810		$	222,813		$	185,287
Timing of revenue recognition:
Services transferred over time	$	52,583		$	164,930		$	137,404
Products transferred at a point in time		24,227			57,883			47,883
Total revenue	$	76,810		$	222,813		$	185,287
Markets:
Banff Jasper Collection	$	46,913		$	133,229		$	106,106
Alaska Collection		6,282			39,406			36,451
Glacier Park Collection		17,596			37,121			31,465
FlyOver		6,019			13,057			11,265
Total revenue	$	76,810		$	222,813		$	185,287

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Share-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Summary of Share-Based Compensation (income) expense

The following table summarizes share-based compensation (income) expense:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2018
Performance unit incentive plan (“PUP”)	$	(2,187	)	$	3,990		$	2,260
Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units		4,523			3,200			2,610
Stock options		317			—			—
Share-based compensation expense before income tax		2,653			7,190			4,870
Income tax benefit(1)		—			(2,241	)		(1,227	)
Share-based compensation expense, net of income tax	$	2,653		$	4,949		$	3,643

⁽¹⁾ There was no income tax benefit for the year ended 2020 due to the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. Refer to Note 17 – Income Taxes.

Summary of Activity of the Outstanding PUP Awards

The following table summarizes the activity of the outstanding PUP awards:

	Equity-Based PUP Awards					Liability-Based PUP Awards
	Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance at December 31, 2019		59,714		$	55.10		155,190		$	52.53
Granted		32,367		$	56.23		52,531		$	56.10
Vested		—		$	—		(67,866	)	$	47.43
Forfeited		(30,873	)	$	52.15		(18,370	)	$	56.40
Balance at December 31, 2020		61,208		$	57.18		121,485		$	56.34

Summary of Stock Option Activity

The following table summarizes stock option activity:

	Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value(1)
Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2019		41,143		$	16.62
Granted		204,150		$	19.98
Exercised		(41,143	)	$	16.62
Options outstanding at December 31, 2020		204,150		$	19.98	$	3,305,928
Options exercisable at December 31, 2020		—		$	—	$	—

⁽¹⁾ The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding represents the difference between our closing stock price at the end of the reporting period and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money stock options.  

Summary of Options Outstanding and Exercisable

The following table summarizes stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2020:

		Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
Range of exercise prices		Shares		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)		Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price
$	19.30		150,000		8.00	$	19.30		—	$	—
$	21.85		54,150		6.65	$	21.85		—	$	—
$19.30 - $21.85			204,150		7.64	$	19.98		—	$	—

Assumptions Used in the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model to Estimate the Fair Value of Each Stock Option Grant

Following is additional information on stock options and the underlying assumptions used in assessing fair value:

	Year Ended
	December 31, 2020
Assumptions used to estimate fair value of stock options granted:
Risk-free interest rate	0.27% - 0.31%
Expected life	4.3 - 5.4 years
Expected volatility	46.9% - 52.2%
Expected dividend yield		—
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share of options granted	$	8.38
Cash received from exercise of options (in thousands)	$	2,077

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Acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

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 acquisition.

(in thousands)
Purchase price paid as:
Cash			$	75,837
Net working capital adjustment				18
Consideration transferred				75,855
Right to manage				(1,276	)
Purchase price, net				74,579
Fair value of net assets acquired:
Accounts receivable	$	333
Inventories		152
Prepaid expenses		276
Property and equipment		103,642
Intangible assets		20,180
Total assets acquired		124,583
Accounts payable		329
Advanced deposits payable		400
Deferred tax liability		19,734
Other liabilities		16
Total liabilities assumed		20,479
Noncontrolling interest equity		49,719
Total fair value of net assets acquired				54,385
Excess purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired (“goodwill”)			$	20,194

Schedule of Proforma Results of Operations

The following table summarizes the unaudited pro forma results of operations attributable to Viad, assuming the completion of the Mountain Park Lodges acquisition was on January 1, 2018. We do not consider the Sky Lagoon attraction or the Belton Chalet significant acquisitions and accordingly, they are not included in the following pro forma results of operations:

(in thousands, except per share data)	Year Ended December 31, 2019		Year Ended December 31, 2018
Revenue	$	1,310,997	$	1,264,664
Depreciation and amortization	$	61,597	$	62,261
Income from continuing operations	$	22,195	$	48,312
Net income attributable to Viad	$	21,337	$	49,070
Diluted income per share	$	0.99	$	2.39
Basic income per share	$	0.99	$	2.40

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Inventories (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of Inventories

The components of inventories consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Raw materials	$	3,362	$	11,788
Finished goods		5,365		5,481
Inventories	$	8,727	$	17,269

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Other Current Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

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)	2020		2019
Prepaid insurance	$	4,297	$	5,573
Prepaid software maintenance		3,058		3,875
Restricted cash		2,426		5
Prepaid vendor payments		1,835		4,698
Prepaid taxes		345		917
Income tax receivable		337		13,250
Prepaid other		1,296		1,904
Other		3,631		632
Other current assets	$	17,225	$	30,854

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Property and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule of Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019
Land and land interests(1)	$	32,849		$	34,532
Buildings and leasehold improvements		386,751			377,754
Equipment and other		401,288			417,239
Gross property and equipment		820,888			829,525
Accumulated depreciation		(352,100	)		(353,974	)
Property and equipment, net (excluding finance leases)		468,788			475,551
Finance lease ROU assets, net		23,366			25,350
Property and equipment, net	$	492,154		$	500,901

⁽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 $8.3 million as of December 31, 2020 and $8.2 million as of December 31, 2019. These land interests are not subject to amortization.

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Other Investments and Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]

Summary of Other Investments and Assets

Other investments and assets consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Self-insured liability receivable	$	6,358	$	9,982
Other mutual funds		3,457		3,107
Contract costs		2,912		3,961
Cash surrender value of life insurance		—		24,873
Other		2,765		3,196
Other investments and assets	$	15,492	$	45,119

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

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 North America			GES EMEA			Pursuit			Total
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	154,944		$	29,954		$	76,432		$	261,330
Business acquisitions		—			—			20,684			20,684
Foreign currency translation adjustments		332			875			4,762			5,969
Balance at December 31, 2019		155,276			30,829			101,878			287,983
Goodwill impairment		(154,989	)		(29,042	)		(1,758	)		(185,789	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(287	)		(1,787	)		1,659			(415	)
Other		—			—			(1,932	)		(1,932	)
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	—		$	—		$	99,847		$	99,847

Goodwill by reporting unit and segment

The following table summarizes goodwill by reporting unit and segment:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
GES:
GES North America:
U.S.	$	—	$	148,277
Canada		—		6,999
GES EMEA		—		30,829
Total GES		—		186,105
Pursuit:
Banff Jasper Collection		54,856		55,524
Alaska Collection		3,184		3,184
Glacier Park Collection		—		1,758
FlyOver		41,807		41,412
Total Pursuit		99,847		101,878
Total Goodwill	$	99,847	$	287,983

Summary of Other Intangible Assets

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:

		December 31, 2020							December 31, 2019
(in thousands)	Useful Life (Years)	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Customer contracts and relationships	6.4	$	38,214	$	(26,288	)	$	11,926	$	72,219	$	(40,866	)	$	31,353
Operating contracts and licenses	36.7		42,012		(2,405	)		39,607		43,329		(1,881	)		41,448
In-place lease	13.3		15,347		(656	)		14,691		15,044		(231	)		14,813
Tradenames	5.3		5,940		(2,435	)		3,505		9,423		(4,338	)		5,085
Non-compete agreements	1.0		770		(616	)		154		2,077		(1,775	)		302
Other	7.2		818		(102	)		716		802		(66	)		736
Total amortized intangible assets			103,101		(32,502	)		70,599		142,894		(49,157	)		93,737
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Business licenses			573		—			573		571		—			571
Other intangible assets		$	103,674	$	(32,502	)	$	71,172	$	143,465	$	(49,157	)	$	94,308

Estimated Future Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization

At December 31, 2020, the estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization is as follows:

(in thousands)
Year ending December 31,
2021	$	5,216
2022		5,129
2023		4,466
2024		3,510
2025		2,218
Thereafter		50,060
Total	$	70,599

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Other Current Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Other Liabilities Current [Abstract]

Other Current Liabilities

Other current liabilities consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Continuing operations:
Self-insured liability	$	5,715	$	5,668
Accrued interest payable		3,042		399
Accrued restructuring		2,479		2,130
Accrued employee benefit costs		2,363		3,564
Current portion of pension and postretirement liabilities		1,805		1,899
Accrued professional fees		1,691		1,248
Accrued sales and use taxes		1,547		5,451
Commissions payable		903		8,274
Accommodation services deposits		304		959
Accrued legal settlement		—		2,500
Accrued dividends		—		2,019
Other taxes		1,872		278
Other		4,819		4,788
Total continuing operations		26,540		39,177
Discontinued operations:
Environmental remediation liabilities		61		311
Self-insured liability		347		260
Other		91		76
Total discontinued operations		499		647
Total other current liabilities	$	27,039	$	39,824

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Other Deferred Items and Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Other Deferred Items and Liabilities

Other deferred items and liabilities consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Continuing operations:
Foreign deferred tax liability	$	21,336	$	32,570
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal liability		15,864		15,693
Self-insured liability		6,662		8,682
Self-insured excess liability		6,358		9,982
Accrued compensation		5,821		7,485
Accrued restructuring		2,751		2,383
Contract liabilities		23		125
Other		1,456		2,423
Total continuing operations		60,271		79,343
Discontinued operations:
Environmental remediation liabilities		2,179		1,964
Self-insured liability		1,639		2,018
Other		539		382
Total discontinued operations		4,357		4,364
Total other deferred items and liabilities	$	64,628	$	83,707

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Debt and Finance Lease Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Long-term Debt and Finance Lease Obligations

The components of debt and finance lease obligations consisted of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands, except interest rates)	2020			2019
2018 Credit Facility, 4.5% weighted-average interest rate at December 31, 2020 and 3.9% at December 31, 2019, due through 2023(1)	$	266,762		$	311,464
FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility, 4.9% weighted-average interest rate at December 31, 2020 and 2019, due through 2023(1)		5,820			5,607
FlyOver Iceland Term Loans, 3.8% weighted-average interest rate at December 31, 2020, due through 2024(1)		705			—
Less unamortized debt issuance costs		(2,737	)		(1,836	)
Total debt(2)		270,550			315,235
Finance lease obligations, 8.0% weighted-average interest rate at December 31,   2020 and 7.7% at December 31, 2019, due through 2039		23,141			25,257
Total debt and finance lease obligations(3)		293,691			340,492
Current portion(4)		(8,335	)		(5,330	)
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations	$	285,356		$	335,162

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

⁽²⁾ The weighted-average interest rate on total debt (including unamortized debt issuance costs and commitment fees) was 4.6% for 2020, 4.2% for 2019 and 4.3% for 2018. The estimated fair value of total debt and finance leases was $254.0 million as of December 31, 2020 and $304.0 million as of December 31, 2019. The fair value of debt was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using rates currently available for debt of similar terms and maturity, which is a Level 2 measurement. Refer to Note 13 – Fair Value Measurements.

⁽³⁾ Cash paid for interest on debt was $14.0 million during 2020, $11.9 million during 2019, and $8.5 million during 2018.

⁽⁴⁾ Subsequent to the filing of our 2019 Form 10-K, we identified a correction related to the classification of the 2018 Credit Facility (as defined below) from current to long-term given that the 2018 Credit Facility’s contractual maturity was not within 12 months of the balance sheet date, and we were in compliance with all applicable covenants as of December 31, 2019. As a result, we corrected the classification of the debt on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet and the disclosure related to classification of debt in the table above as of December 31, 2019 to present the 2018 Credit Facility as long-term. Except for this change, the correction had no impact upon this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We determined that the error is not material to the previously issued financial statements.

Schedule of Aggregate Annual Maturities of Long-term Debt

Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt (excluding finance leases) as of December 31, 2020 are as follows:

(in thousands)	Credit Facilities
Year ending December 31,
2021	$	5,820
2022		53
2023		267,306
2024		108
2025		—
Thereafter		—
Total	$	273,287

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

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, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	2	$	2	$	—	$	—
Other mutual funds(2)		3,457		3,457		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	3,459	$	3,459	$	—	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2019		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	123	$	123	$	—	$	—
Other mutual funds(2)		3,107		3,107		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	3,230	$	3,230	$	—	$	—

⁽¹⁾ We include money market funds in “Cash and cash equivalents” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We classify these investments as available-for-sale and recorded them 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⁾ We include other mutual funds in “Other investments and assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

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)	2020			2019			2018
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad (diluted)	$	(374,094	)	$	22,035		$	49,170
Less: Allocation to non-vested shares		—			(147	)		(458	)
Convertible preferred stock dividends		(3,006	)		—			—
Adjustment to the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest		(926	)		(1,318	)		(251	)
Net income (loss) allocated to Viad common stockholders (basic)	$	(378,026	)	$	20,570		$	48,461
Basic weighted-average outstanding common shares		20,279			20,146			20,168
Additional dilutive shares related to share-based compensation		—			138			236
Diluted weighted-average outstanding shares		20,279			20,284			20,404
Income (loss) per share:
Basic income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	(18.64	)	$	1.02		$	2.40
Diluted income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders(1)	$	(18.64	)	$	1.02		$	2.40

⁽¹⁾ Diluted loss per share amount cannot exceed basic loss per share.

Schedule of Excluded Weighted-Average Potential Common Shares from Calculations of Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Shares

We excluded the following weighted-average potential common shares from the calculations of diluted net income (loss) per common share during the applicable periods because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Convertible preferred stock (as converted to common stock)		6,406,324		—		—
Unvested restricted share-based awards		115,089		8,000		500
Stock options		24,205		—		—

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component are as follows:

(in thousands)	Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Unrecognized Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Credit, Net			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	(36,332	)	$	(11,643	)	$	(47,975	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		12,533			(10	)		12,523
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		—			(247	)		(247	)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		12,533			(257	)		12,276
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	(23,799	)	$	(11,900	)	$	(35,699	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		7,113			(27	)		7,086
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		—			(2,028	)		(2,028	)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		7,113			(2,055	)		5,058
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	(16,686	)	$	(13,955	)	$	(30,641	)

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Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

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)	2020			2019			2018
Foreign	$	(95,919	)	$	49,171		$	54,753
United States		(264,940	)		(23,061	)		10,256
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(360,859	)	$	26,110		$	65,009

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)	2020			2019			2018
Current:
United States:
Federal	$	(128	)	$	(2,260	)	$	41
State		674			1,400			(335	)
Foreign		(1,397	)		13,764			12,039
Total current		(851	)		12,904			11,745
Deferred:
United States:
Federal		17,171			(3,355	)		1,860
State		2,896			(1,619	)		860
Foreign		(4,970	)		(5,424	)		2,630
Total deferred		15,097			(10,398	)		5,350
Income tax expense	$	14,246		$	2,506		$	17,095

Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020					2019					2018
Computed income tax (benefit) expense at statutory federal income tax rate	$	(75,780	)	21.0	%	$	5,483		21.0	%	$	13,665		21.0	%
State income tax (benefit), net of federal benefit		(4,138	)	1.1	%		(173	)	(0.2	)%		3,489		5.4	%
Deemed mandatory repatriation state tax		—		0.0	%		—		0.0	%		(909	)	(1.4	)%
Deemed mandatory repatriation federal tax, net of foreign tax credit		—		0.0	%		—		0.0	%		(1,690	)	(2.6	)%
Remeasurement of deferred taxes due to change in tax rates		—		0.0	%		(4,517	)	(17.3	)%		(510	)	(0.8	)%
Foreign tax rate differential		(401	)	0.1	%		3,122		12.0	%		4,138		6.4	%
U.S. tax (benefit) on current year foreign earnings, net of foreign tax credits		—		0.0	%		(1,792	)	(6.9	)%		(223	)	(0.3	)%
Goodwill impairment		16,471		(4.6	)%		—		0.0	%		—		0.0	%
Change in valuation allowance		77,369		(21.3	)%		920		1.8	%		(653	)	(1.0	)%
Other adjustments, net		725		(0.2	)%		(537	)	(0.8	)%		(212	)	(0.3	)%
Income tax expense	$	14,246		(3.9	)%	$	2,506		9.6	%	$	17,095		26.4	%

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)	2020			2019
Deferred tax assets:
Tax credit carryforwards	$	5,326		$	7,879
Pension, compensation, and other employee benefits		11,991			17,231
Provisions for losses		4,623			4,778
Net operating loss carryforwards		44,358			5,371
State income taxes		—			3,089
Leases		660			—
Goodwill and other intangible assets		18,055			—
Other deferred income tax assets		14,175			2,177
Total deferred tax assets		99,188			40,525
Valuation allowance		(81,795	)		(4,276	)
Foreign deferred tax assets included above		(7,717	)		(2,351	)
United States net deferred tax assets		9,676			33,898
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		(24,017	)		(20,681	)
Goodwill and other intangible assets		(8,846	)		(16,172	)
Leases		(857	)		—
Life insurance		—			(3,945	)
Other deferred income tax liabilities		(4,485	)		(1,858	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(38,205	)		(42,656	)
Foreign deferred tax liabilities included above		28,490			31,192
United States net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	(39	)	$	22,434

Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	1,425
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		31
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		(1,086	)
Balance at December 31, 2018		370
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		151
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		(296	)
Balance at December 31, 2019		225
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		25
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes		—
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	250

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

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)	2020			2019			2018
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	—		$	61		$	64
Interest cost		653			861			780
Expected return on plan assets		(145	)		(99	)		(193	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		526			403			494
Net periodic benefit cost		1,034			1,226			1,145
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income:
Net actuarial (gain) loss		1,587			1,305			(76	)
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss		(526	)		(403	)		(494	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income		1,061			902			(570	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income	$	2,095		$	2,128		$	575

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

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2018
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	51		$	64		$	80
Interest cost		296			458			449
Amortization of prior service credit		(146	)		(189	)		(205	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		18			112			405
Net periodic benefit cost		219			445			729
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income:
Net actuarial (gain) loss		688			(1,117	)		170
Prior service credit		—			—			—
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss		(18	)		(112	)		(405	)
Prior service credit		146			189			205
Total recognized in other comprehensive income		816			(1,040	)		(30	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income	$	1,035		$	(595	)	$	699

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

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2018
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	444		$	405		$	552
Interest cost		365			397			381
Expected return on plan assets		(530	)		(487	)		(505	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		162			127			139
Settlement		—			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost		441			442			567
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other    comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss		368			605			(238	)
Reversal of amortization of net actuarial loss		(162	)		(127	)		(139	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		206			478			(377	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other    comprehensive income (loss)	$	647		$	920		$	190

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)	2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	15,572		$	14,235		$	9,462		$	9,271		$	11,986		$	13,454
Service cost		—			—			—			61			51			64
Interest cost		406			527			247			333			296			458
Actuarial adjustments		1,242			1,611			784			753			688			(1,117	)
Benefits paid		(889	)		(801	)		(717	)		(956	)		(802	)		(873	)
Benefit obligation at end of year		16,331			15,572			9,776			9,462			12,219			11,986
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		11,291			10,299			—			—			—			—
Actual return on plan assets		584			1,157			—			—			—			—
Company contributions		892			636			717			956			802			873
Benefits paid		(889	)		(801	)		(717	)		(956	)		(802	)		(873	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		11,878			11,291			—			—			—			—
Funded status at end of year	$	(4,453	)	$	(4,281	)	$	(9,776	)	$	(9,462	)	$	(12,219	)	$	(11,986	)

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

	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2020			2019			2020			2019
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	9,990		$	8,134		$	2,331		$	2,290
Service cost		444			405			—			—
Interest cost		295			320			70			77
Actuarial adjustments		686			1,037			111			106
Benefits paid		(743	)		(336	)		(180	)		(178	)
Translation adjustment		244			430			117			36
Benefit obligation at end of year		10,916			9,990			2,449			2,331
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		10,013			8,243			—			—
Actual return on plan assets		1,044			1,156			—			—
Company contributions		253			515			180			178
Benefits paid		(743	)		(336	)		(180	)		(178	)
Translation adjustment		231			435			—			—
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		10,798			10,013			—			—
Funded status at end of year	$	(118	)	$	23		$	(2,449	)	$	(2,331	)

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)	2020		2019		2020		2019		2020		2019
Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	687	$	703	$	931	$	1,019
Non-current liabilities		4,453		4,281		9,089		8,759		11,288		10,967
Net amount recognized	$	4,453	$	4,281	$	9,776	$	9,462	$	12,219	$	11,986

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)	2020			2019			2020		2019
Non-current assets	$	(31	)	$	(43	)	$	—	$	—
Other current liabilities		—			—			187		177
Non-current liabilities		149			20			2,262		2,154
Net amount recognized	$	118		$	(23	)	$	2,449	$	2,331

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)	2020		2019			2020		2019			2020		2019			2020		2019
Net actuarial loss	$	9,252	$	8,856		$	3,409	$	2,744		$	1,990	$	1,320		$	14,651	$	12,920
Prior service credit		—		—			—		—			189		43			189		43
Subtotal		9,252		8,856			3,409		2,744			2,179		1,363			14,840		12,963
Less tax effect		—		(2,236	)		—		(693	)		—		(344	)		—		(3,273	)
Total	$	9,252	$	6,620		$	3,409	$	2,051		$	2,179	$	1,019		$	14,840	$	9,690

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, 2020
			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	$	6,430	$	6,430	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		4,485		4,485		—		—
Cash		774		774		—		—
Other		189		—		189		—
Total	$	11,878	$	11,689	$	189	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2019
			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	$	5,267	$	5,267	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		5,518		5,518		—		—
Cash		316		316		—		—
Other		190		—		190		—
Total	$	11,291	$	11,101	$	190	$	—

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, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Fixed income securities	$	5,450	$	5,450	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		5,153		5,153		—		—
Other		195		195		—		—
Total	$	10,798	$	10,798	$	—	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	December 31, 2019		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Fixed income securities	$	5,194	$	5,194	$	—	$	—
Equity securities		4,669		4,669		—		—
Other		150		150		—		—
Total	$	10,013	$	10,013	$	—	$	—

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
2021	$	1,439	$	695	$	943
2022	$	1,020	$	699	$	925
2023	$	1,012	$	684	$	902
2024	$	975	$	666	$	875
2025	$	1,044	$	648	$	835
2026-2030	$	4,641	$	2,919	$	3,541

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

(in thousands)	Funded Plans		Unfunded Plans
2021	$	444	$	190
2022	$	402	$	189
2023	$	440	$	188
2024	$	442	$	188
2025	$	441	$	187
2026-2030	$	2,359	$	920

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)	2020		2019		2020		2019
Projected benefit obligation	$	16,331	$	15,572	$	9,776	$	9,462
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	16,331	$	15,572	$	9,776	$	9,454
Fair value of plan assets	$	11,878	$	11,291	$	—	$	—

	Foreign Plans
	Funded Plans				Unfunded Plans
(in thousands)	2020		2019		2020		2019
Projected benefit obligation	$	10,916	$	9,990	$	2,449	$	2,331
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	10,447	$	9,347	$	2,449	$	2,331
Fair value of plan assets	$	10,798	$	10,013	$	—	$	—

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
	2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019
Discount rate		2.38	%		3.15	%		2.35	%		3.13	%		2.47	%		3.17	%		2.34	%		2.92	%
Rate of compensation increase	N/A			N/A				3.00	%		3.00	%	N/A			N/A				2.35	%		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
	2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019
Discount rate		3.12	%		4.28	%		3.13	%		4.22	%		3.19	%		4.29	%		2.93	%		3.68	%
Expected return on plan assets		5.50	%		5.50	%	N/A			N/A				0.00	%		0.00	%		4.39	%		4.55	%
Rate of compensation increase	N/A			N/A				3.00	%		3.00	%	N/A			N/A				2.35	%		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.		2020	2019		2020		2019		2018
Pension Fund:
Western Conference of  Teamsters Pension Plan	91-6145047		1	Green	Green	No	$	2,898	$	6,754	$	6,471	No	5/31/2021
Southern California Local 831—Employer Pension Fund(1)	95-6376874		1	Green	Green	No		943		3,427		3,087	No	8/31/2021
IBEW Local Union  No 357 Pension Plan A	88-6023284		1	Green	Green	No		843		1,074		1,025	No	6/16/2021
Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Pension Fund	36-6130207		1	Green	Green	Yes		608		2,877		2,876	No	5/31/2024
Electrical Contractors Assoc. Chicago Local Union 134, IBEW Joint Pension Trust of Chicago Plan #2	51-6030753		2	Green	Green	No		509		1,651		927	No	6/6/2021
Machinery Movers Riggers & Mach Erect Local 136 Supplemental Retirement Plan(1)	36-1416355		11	Yellow	Yellow	Yes		337		797		1,328	Yes	6/30/2024
Southwest Carpenters Pension Trust	95-6042875		1	Green	Green	No		195		717		789	No	7/31/2023
Sign Pictorial & Display Industry Pension Plan(1)	94-6278490		1	Green	Green	No		92		768		778	No	3/31/2021
Southern California IBEW-NECA Pension Fund	95-6392774		1	Yellow	Yellow	Yes		89		799		881	Yes	8/31/2021
New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension	04-6372430		1	Red	Red	Yes		42		506		423	No	3/31/2022
Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan	36-6044243		1	Red	Red	Yes		7		872		1,177	No	3/31/2023
All other funds(2)								963		3,625		3,734
Total contributions to defined benefit plans								7,526		23,867		23,496
Total contributions to other plans								1,066		3,416		2,900
Total contributions to multi-employer plans							$	8,592	$	27,283	$	26,396

⁽¹⁾ We contributed more than 5% of total plan contributions for the plan year detailed in the plans’ most recent Form 5500s.

⁽²⁾ Represents participation in 31 pension funds during 2020.

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Restructuring Charges (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

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						Other Restructurings
(in thousands)	Severance & Employee Benefits			Facilities			Severance & Employee Benefits			Total
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	1,551		$	807		$	191		$	2,549
Restructuring charges		1,457			—			130			1,587
Cash payments		(1,379	)		(156	)		(181	)		(1,716	)
Adjustment to liability		410			(451	)		(128	)		(169	)
Balance at December 31, 2018		2,039			200			12			2,251
Restructuring charges		6,071			1,817			492			8,380
Cash payments		(5,169	)		(752	)		(272	)		(6,193	)
Adjustment to liability		(6	)		74			7			75
Balance at December 31, 2019		2,935			1,339			239			4,513
Restructuring charges		6,563			5,784			1,093			13,440
Cash payments		(7,051	)		(2,573	)		(1,201	)		(10,825	)
Non-cash items(1)		—			(1,789	)		—			(1,789	)
Adjustment to liability		(7	)		5			(107	)		(109	)
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	2,440		$	2,766		$	24		$	5,230

(1) Represents the impact related to the closure and liquidation of GES’ United Kingdom-based audio-visual services business during the year ended December 31, 2020.

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Leases and Other (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Summary of Balance Sheet Presentation of Operating and Finance Leases

The balance sheet presentation of our operating and finance leases is as follows:

		December 31,
(in thousands)	Classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	2020		2019
Assets:
Operating lease assets	Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	82,739	$	103,314
Finance lease assets	Property and equipment, net		23,366		25,350
Total lease assets		$	106,105	$	128,664
Liabilities:
Current:
Operating lease obligations	Operating lease obligations	$	15,697	$	22,180
Finance lease obligations	Current portion of debt and finance lease obligations		2,514		3,386
Noncurrent:
Operating lease obligations	Long-term operating lease obligations		70,150		82,851
Finance lease obligations	Long-term debt and finance lease obligations		20,627		21,871
Total lease liabilities		$	108,988	$	130,288

Components of Lease Expense

The components of lease expense consisted of the following:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	$	3,662	$	2,780
Interest on lease liabilities		1,668		924
Operating lease cost		27,259		26,511
Short-term lease cost		701		1,932
Variable lease cost		5,672		6,271
Total lease cost, net	$	38,962	$	38,418

Schedule of Other Information Related to Operating and Finance Leases

Other information related to operating and finance leases are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	26,250		$	28,146
Operating cash flows from finance leases	$	1,948		$	502
Financing cash flows from finance leases	$	3,543		$	2,698
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	$	659		$	125,755
Finance leases	$	2,141		$	18,822
	December 31,
	2020			2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):
Operating leases		8.39			8.17
Finance leases		13.97			14.01
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases		6.93	%		5.77	%
Finance leases		7.99	%		7.73	%

Schedule of Estimated Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Non-cancellable Leases Excluding Variable Leases and Variable Non-lease Components

As of December 31, 2020, the estimated future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases, excluding variable leases and variable non-lease components, are as follows:

(in thousands)	Operating Leases			Finance Leases			Total
2021	$	22,046		$	4,405		$	26,451
2022		16,567			3,917			20,484
2023		13,489			3,397			16,886
2024		10,314			2,724			13,038
2025		8,994			2,193			11,187
Thereafter		45,101			22,973			68,074
Total future lease payments		116,511			39,609			156,120
Less: Amount representing interest		(30,664	)		(16,468	)		(47,132	)
Present value of minimum lease payments		85,847			23,141			108,988
Current portion		15,697			2,514			18,211
Long-term portion	$	70,150		$	20,627		$	90,777

Schedule of Estimated Future Minimum Rentals Under Non-cancellable Leases

As of December 31, 2020, the estimated future minimum rentals under non-cancellable leases, which includes rental income from facilities that we own, are as follows:

(in thousands)
2021	$	1,612
2022		1,089
2023		869
2024		646
2025		493
Thereafter		1,332
Total minimum sublease rents	$	6,041

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Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Summary of Changes in Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

Changes in the redeemable noncontrolling interest are as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	5,909
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		(821	)
Adjustment to the redemption value		1,318
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(234	)
Balance at December 31, 2019		6,172
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		(1,482	)
Adjustment to the redemption value		926
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(391	)
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	5,225

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Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

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)	2020			2019			2018
Revenue:
GES:
GES North America	$	288,921		$	884,105		$	866,187
GES EMEA		53,384			216,559			202,990
Intersegment eliminations		(3,680	)		(20,741	)		(17,140	)
Total GES		338,625			1,079,923			1,052,037
Pursuit		76,810			222,813			185,287
Total revenue	$	415,435		$	1,302,736		$	1,237,324
Segment operating income (loss):
GES:
GES North America	$	(56,446	)	$	27,659		$	29,981
GES EMEA		(17,451	)		8,274			9,621
Total GES		(73,897	)		35,933			39,602
Pursuit		(42,343	)		54,310			48,915
Segment operating income (loss)		(116,240	)		90,243			88,517
Corporate eliminations (1)		65			67			67
Corporate activities		(8,687	)		(10,865	)		(10,993	)
Operating income (loss)		(124,862	)		79,445			77,591
Interest income		377			369			354
Interest expense		(18,264	)		(14,199	)		(9,640	)
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal		(462	)		(15,693	)		—
Other expense		(1,132	)		(1,586	)		(1,744	)
Restructuring (charges) recoveries:
GES North America		(3,825	)		(6,157	)		(408	)
GES EMEA		(8,522	)		(1,731	)		(1,049	)
Pursuit		(132	)		(52	)		(140	)
Corporate		(961	)		(440	)		10
Impairment (charges) recoveries:
GES North America		(171,095	)		(5,346	)		—
GES EMEA		(30,223	)		—			—
Pursuit		(1,758	)		—			35
Legal settlement:
GES		—			(8,500	)		—
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(360,859	)	$	26,110		$	65,009

^{(1) Corporate eliminations 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.}

Reconciliation of assets from reportable segments

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019		2018
Assets:
GES:
GES North America	$	134,162	$	475,279	$	406,484
GES EMEA		50,644		132,975		111,798
Pursuit		620,413		589,205		357,630
Corporate and other		48,005		121,232		46,629
	$	853,224	$	1,318,691	$	922,541
Depreciation and amortization:
GES:
GES North America	$	24,022	$	29,321	$	30,855
GES EMEA		4,053		6,260		7,071
Pursuit		28,393		23,154		18,690
Corporate and other		97		229		226
	$	56,565	$	58,964	$	56,842
Capital expenditures:
GES:
GES North America	$	9,003	$	19,099	$	19,263
GES EMEA		1,388		7,098		7,065
Pursuit		43,176		49,934		56,865
Corporate and other		—		16		152
	$	53,567	$	76,147	$	83,345

Financial information by major geographic area

The table below presents the financial information by major geographic area:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2020		2019		2018
Revenue:
United States	$	290,541	$	873,213	$	850,839
EMEA		56,656		218,404		202,990
Canada		68,238		211,119		183,495
Total revenue	$	415,435	$	1,302,736	$	1,237,324
Long-lived assets:
United States	$	173,790	$	205,399	$	182,140
EMEA		56,996		63,582		48,553
Canada		276,860		277,039		146,064
Total long-lived assets	$	507,646	$	546,020	$	376,757

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Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly financial information

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

2020	2020												2019
(in thousands, except per share data)	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter			First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter
Revenue as previously reported	$	306,008		$	30,863		$	63,072					$	285,594		$	402,279		$	353,743		$	321,334
Gross to net correction(1)		(11,350	)		(796	)		(265	)					(12,572	)		(25,815	)		(1,234	)		(20,593	)
Revenue as corrected	$	294,658		$	30,067		$	62,807		$	27,903		$	273,022		$	376,464		$	352,509		$	300,741
Operating income (loss):
Ongoing operations(2)	$	(9,400	)	$	(49,736	)	$	(6,765	)	$	(50,274	)	$	(11,236	)	$	46,442		$	54,822		$	141
Business interruption gain		—			—			—			—			—			141			—			—
Corporate activities		(789	)		(2,468	)		(2,645	)		(2,785	)		(1,833	)		(3,282	)		(2,680	)		(3,070	)
Interest income		79			176			58			64			98			83			79			109
Interest expense		(4,018	)		(5,186	)		(5,508	)		(3,552	)		(2,915	)		(2,957	)		(3,740	)		(4,587	)
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal		—			(462	)		—			—			—			(15,508	)		—			(185	)
Other expense, net		(419	)		(265	)		(210	)		(238	)		(455	)		(456	)		(281	)		(394	)
Restructuring charges		(851	)		(260	)		(11,259	)		(1,070	)		(688	)		(4,455	)		(1,702	)		(1,535	)
Legal settlement		—			—			—			—			(8,500	)		—			—			—
Impairment charges		(88,380	)		(114,020	)		(676	)		—			—			—			—			(5,346	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(103,778	)	$	(172,221	)	$	(27,005	)	$	(57,855	)	$	(25,529	)	$	20,008		$	46,498		$	(14,867	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Viad	$	(86,131	)	$	(205,899	)	$	(29,769	)	$	(50,448	)	$	(17,490	)	$	13,364		$	31,557		$	(5,315	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad	$	(86,585	)	$	(206,278	)	$	(30,758	)	$	(50,473	)	$	(17,777	)	$	13,824		$	31,416		$	(5,428	)
Diluted income (loss) per common share:(3)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	(4.27	)	$	(10.17	)	$	(1.54	)	$	(2.57	)	$	(0.88	)	$	0.65		$	1.54		$	(0.30	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	$	(4.29	)	$	(10.19	)	$	(1.59	)	$	(2.58	)	$	(0.89	)	$	0.67		$	1.53		$	(0.31	)

⁽¹⁾ The quarterly financial data for the four quarters of 2019 and the first three quarters of 2020 were adjusted for immaterial errors related to the recognition of revenue of GES’ Corporate Accounts’ third-party services. Refer to Note 1 – Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for additional information. The Company intends to correct for these errors prospectively in subsequent quarterly filings.

⁽²⁾ Represents revenue less costs of services and cost of products sold.

⁽³⁾ 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)		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 05, 2020 USD ($) $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) Segment	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Jun. 08, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | Segment		3
Initial Investment	$ 135,000,000
Fees	$ 9,200,000
Cash Dividends Payable Percentage	5.50%
Frequency of periodic payment of cumulative dividend	quarterly
Conversion price per share | $ / shares	$ 21.25
Preferred stock redemption term	additional Convertible Preferred Stock, which we may access during the 12 months
Minimum liquidity requirement		$ 100,000,000
Fees related to the amendment	$ 1,700,000
Pledge percentage of capital stock	100.00%
Non-cash goodwill impairment charge		185,789,000
Goodwill		$ 99,847,000	$ 287,983,000		$ 261,330,000
Remaining maturities of highly-liquid investments		three months or less
Proceeds from life insurance policy		$ 24,800,000
Percentage of non equity ownership related redeemable noncontrolling interests		54.50%
Share based compensation arrangements requisite service period		2 years
Stock Options
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangements requisite service period		2 years
Liability Based Awards
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangements requisite service period		3 years
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%
Mountain Park Lodges
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Goodwill				$ 20,194,000
Percentage of non-equity ownership related to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests		40.00%
Geothermal Lagoon Attraction
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of non-equity ownership related to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests		49.00%
GES
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Non-cash goodwill impairment charge		$ 185,800,000
Goodwill		99,800,000	$ 186,105,000
U.S Audio Visual Production Business
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Non-cash impairment charge to intangible assets		$ 15,700
LIBOR rate [Member]
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Variable rate	3.50%
Maximum
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of additional preferred stock	$ 45,000,000
Lease expiration period		23 years
Share based compensation arrangement performance period		3 years 4 months 24 days
Maximum | Equity Based Awards
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangements requisite service period		3 years
Maximum | Building
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life		40 years
Maximum | Equipment
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life		12 years
Maximum | Land
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Lease expiration period		47 years
Minimum [Member]
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangement performance period		1 year
Minimum [Member] | Equity Based Awards
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangements requisite service period		3 months
Minimum [Member] | Building
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life		15 years
Minimum [Member] | Equipment
Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life		3 years

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Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Corrections to Prior Period Adjustments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Total revenue								$ 415,435	$ 1,302,736	$ 1,237,324
Services
Total revenue								351,528	1,101,534	1,051,389
Costs and expenses								457,827	1,031,187	980,543
Cost of Services
Costs and expenses									1,031,187	980,543
GES
Total revenue								$ 338,625	1,079,923	1,052,037
Previously Reported
Total revenue	$ 63,072	$ 30,863	$ 306,008	$ 321,334	$ 353,743	$ 402,279	$ 285,594
Previously Reported | Services
Total revenue									1,170,493	1,110,249
Previously Reported | Cost of Services
Costs and expenses									1,100,146	1,039,403
Revision Of Prior Period Error Correction Adjustment | GES | North America | Services
Total revenue									(51,927)	(43,603)
Revision Of Prior Period Error Correction Adjustment | GES | North America | Cost of Services
Costs and expenses									(51,927)	(43,603)
Revision Of Prior Period Error Correction Adjustment | GES | EMEA | Services
Total revenue									(17,032)	(15,257)
Revision Of Prior Period Error Correction Adjustment | GES | EMEA | Cost of Services
Costs and expenses									$ (17,032)	$ (15,257)

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Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 39,545	$ 61,999
Restricted cash included in other current assets	$ 2,426	$ 5
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current, Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OtherCurrentAssetsMember	us-gaap:OtherCurrentAssetsMember
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows	$ 41,971	$ 62,004	$ 44,899	$ 53,729

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Revenue and Related Contract Costs and Contract Liabilities - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue recognition description of capitalized contract costs	Capitalized contract costs are expensed upon the transfer of the related goods or services and are included in cost of services or cost of products, as applicable
Capitalized contract costs to obtain contracts	$ 900,000
Capitalized contract costs to fulfill contracts	$ 9,900,000
Impairment loss on capitalized contract costs		$ 0	$ 0
GES
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Performance obligation description of payment terms	Payment terms are generally within 30-60 days and contain no significant financing components
GES | Minimum [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Performance obligation payment terms	30 days
GES | Maximum
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Performance obligation payment terms	60 days
Pursuit
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Performance obligation description of payment terms	When credit is extended, payment terms are generally within 30 days and contain no significant financing components
Performance obligation payment terms	30 days

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Revenue and Related Contract Costs and Contract Liabilities - Summary of Changes in Contract Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Balance at January 1	$ 50,796	$ 35,600
Cash additions	154,057	210,871
Revenue recognized	(186,518)	(196,158)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment	283	483
Balance at December 31	$ 18,618	$ 50,796

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Revenue and Related Contract Costs and Contract Liabilities - Summary of Changes in Contract Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Balance at January 1	$ 28,496	$ 21,478
Additions	19,517	74,274
Expenses	(25,381)	(67,425)
Cancelled	(11,482)	(68)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment	(315)	237
Balance at December 31	$ 10,835	$ 28,496

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Revenue and Related Contract Costs and Contract Liabilities - Disaggregate GES and Pursuit Revenue by Major Product Line Timing of Revenue Recognition and Markets Served (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		$ 415,435	$ 1,302,736	$ 1,237,324
GES
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		338,625	1,079,923	1,052,037
GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		338,625	1,079,923	1,052,037
GES | Intersegment Eliminations
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		(3,680)	(20,741)	(17,140)
Pursuit
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		76,810	222,813	185,287
Pursuit | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		76,810	222,813	185,287
Pursuit | Intersegment Eliminations
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		(317)	(1,686)	(1,551)
North America | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		288,921	884,105	866,187
EMEA | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		53,384	216,559	202,990
Services Transferred Over Time | GES
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		298,945	936,604	913,986
Services Transferred Over Time | GES | Intersegment Eliminations
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		(3,680)	(20,741)	(17,140)
Services Transferred Over Time | Pursuit
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		52,583	164,930	137,404
Services Transferred Over Time | North America | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		260,964	809,499	793,343
Services Transferred Over Time | EMEA | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		41,661	147,846	137,783
Products Transferred Over Time | GES
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	[1]	15,517	61,668	60,193
Products Transferred Over Time | North America | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	[1]	13,068	45,597	44,109
Products Transferred Over Time | EMEA | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	[1]	2,449	16,071	16,084
Products Transferred at a Point in Time | GES
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		24,163	81,651	77,858
Products Transferred at a Point in Time | Pursuit
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		24,227	57,883	47,883
Products Transferred at a Point in Time | North America | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		14,889	29,009	28,735
Products Transferred at a Point in Time | EMEA | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		9,274	52,642	49,123
Core Services | GES
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		265,222	815,621	794,918
Core Services | North America | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		231,666	701,721	689,804
Core Services | EMEA | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		33,556	113,900	105,114
Audio Visual | GES
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		24,274	102,375	95,342
Audio Visual | North America | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		20,148	78,178	73,331
Audio Visual | EMEA | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		4,126	24,197	22,011
Event Technology | GES
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		13,129	39,349	40,866
Event Technology | North America | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		9,150	29,600	30,208
Event Technology | EMEA | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		3,979	9,749	10,658
Total Services | GES
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		298,945	936,604	913,986
Total Services | GES | Intersegment Eliminations
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		(3,680)	(20,741)	(17,140)
Total Services | Pursuit
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		52,583	164,930	137,404
Total Services | North America | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		260,964	809,499	793,343
Total Services | EMEA | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		41,661	147,846	137,783
Core Products | GES
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		39,680	143,319	138,051
Core Products | North America | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		27,957	74,606	72,844
Core Products | EMEA | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		11,723	68,713	65,207
Exhibitions | GES
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		252,030	623,050	635,738
Exhibitions | North America | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		211,953	463,653	486,400
Exhibitions | EMEA | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		40,077	159,397	149,338
Conferences | GES
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		49,160	278,010	247,305
Conferences | North America | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		41,371	253,511	223,096
Conferences | EMEA | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		7,789	24,499	24,209
Corporate Events | GES
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		29,874	171,562	153,497
Corporate Events | North America | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		24,521	139,935	126,084
Corporate Events | EMEA | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		5,353	31,627	27,413
Consumer Events | GES
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		11,241	28,042	32,637
Consumer Events | North America | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		11,076	27,006	30,607
Consumer Events | EMEA | GES | Operating Segments
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		165	1,036	2,030
Admissions | Pursuit
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		19,939	85,371	83,000
Accommodations | Pursuit
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		29,800	60,672	37,470
Transportation | Pursuit
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		2,694	14,594	13,956
Travel Planning | Pursuit
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		467	5,979	4,529
Food and Beverage | Pursuit
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		10,295	31,838	25,962
Retail Operations | Pursuit
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		13,932	26,045	21,921
Products
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		63,907	201,202	185,935
Products | Pursuit
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		24,227	57,883	47,883
Banff Jasper Collection | Pursuit
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		46,913	133,229	106,106
Alaska Collection | Pursuit
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		6,282	39,406	36,451
Glacier Park Collection | Pursuit
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		17,596	37,121	31,465
FlyOver | Pursuit
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		$ 6,019	$ 13,057	$ 11,265

[1] GES’ graphics product revenue is earned over time over the duration of an event as it is considered a part of the single performance obligation satisfied over time.

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Share-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
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	$ 1,688,000	$ 3,046,000	$ 1,209,000
Recognition period of unrecognized cost	2 years 1 month 6 days
Requisite service period	2 years
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards	$ 1,400,000
Granted, Shares	204,150	0	0
Minimum [Member]
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangement performance period	1 year
Maximum
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangement performance period	3 years 4 months 24 days
Performance Unit Incentive Plan ("PUP")
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Shares available for grant	0	3,400,000	0
Awards with grant date fair value during the period	$ 4,800,000
Stock value payable	1,800,000
Liability awards recorded	800,000	$ 5,300,000
Payments to employees	2,600,000	5,600,000	$ 5,900,000
Repurchase of common stock for employee tax withholding obligations amount		$ 1,500,000
Repurchase of common stock for employee tax withholding obligations amount, shares		25,771
Restricted Stock Awards And Restricted Stock Units
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Payments to employees	200,000	$ 600,000	200,000
Liabilities related to restricted stock	200,000	400,000
Paid to employees as shares	2,000,000.0	200,000
Restructuring Charges
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation before income tax benefit	$ 0	100,000	0
2017 Plan
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Useful Term of the plan	10 years
Common stock shares issuable	1,750,000,000
Shares available for grant	1,081,404,000
2007 Plan
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Award vesting period	3 years
2007 Plan | Restricted Stock Awards And Restricted Stock Units
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Repurchase of common stock for employee tax withholding obligations amount	$ 1,700,000	$ 1,500,000	$ 1,200,000
Repurchase of common stock for employee tax withholding obligations amount, shares	42,185,000	24,995,000	22,358,000
Unamortized cost	$ 4,200,000
Recognition period of unrecognized cost	1 year 3 months 18 days

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Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Share-Based Compensation (income) expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Summary of share-based compensation expense
Share-based compensation expense before income tax		$ 2,653	$ 7,190	$ 4,870
Income tax benefit	[1]		(2,241)	(1,227)
Share-based compensation expense, net of income tax		2,653	4,949	3,643
Performance Unit Incentive Plan ("PUP")
Summary of share-based compensation expense
Share-based compensation expense before income tax		(2,187)	3,990	2,260
Restricted Stock Awards And Restricted Stock Units
Summary of share-based compensation expense
Share-based compensation expense before income tax		4,523	$ 3,200	$ 2,610
Stock Options
Summary of share-based compensation expense
Share-based compensation expense before income tax		$ 317

[1] There was no income tax benefit for the year ended 2020 due to the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. Refer to Note 17 – Income Taxes.

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Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Activity of the Outstanding PUP Awards (Details) - Performance Unit Incentive Plan ("PUP")	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 $ / shares shares
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Beginning Balance, shares | shares	59,714
Granted, shares | shares	32,367
Forfeited, shares | shares	(30,873)
Ending Balance, shares | shares	61,208
Beginning Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 55.10
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	56.23
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	52.15
Ending Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 57.18
Beginning Balance, shares | shares	155,190
Granted, shares | shares	52,531
Vested, shares | shares	(67,866)
Forfeited, shares | shares	(18,370)
Ending Balance, shares | shares	121,485
Beginning Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 52.53
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	56.10
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	47.43
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	56.40
Ending Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 56.34

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Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Activity of the Outstanding Restricted Stock Awards And Restricted Stock Units (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 $ / shares shares
Restricted Stock Units
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Beginning Balance, shares | shares	136,123
Granted, shares | shares	55,171
Vested, shares | shares	(66,054)
Forfeited, shares | shares	(18,133)
Ending Balance, shares | shares	107,107
Beginning Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 52.66
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	51.06
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	49.99
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	54.11
Ending Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 53.23
Restricted Stock Awards
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares | shares	232,435
Vested, shares | shares	(77,725)
Forfeited, shares | shares	(3,449)
Ending Balance, shares | shares	151,261
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 19.44
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	19.30
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	19.47
Ending Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 19.51
Beginning Balance, shares | shares	11,623
Granted, shares | shares	3,952
Vested, shares | shares	(2,815)
Forfeited, shares | shares	(2,301)
Ending Balance, shares | shares	10,459
Beginning Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 52.17
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	50.43
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	47.45
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	56.13
Ending Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 51.91

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Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Details) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Options outstanding and exercisable
Options outstanding and exercisable Beginning Balance, Shares		41,143,000
Granted, Shares		204,150	0	0
Exercised, Shares		(41,143)
Options outstanding at December 31, 2020		204,150
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Options outstanding and exercisable Beginning Balance, Weighted-Average Exercise Price		$ 16.62
Granted		19.98
Exercised, Weighted-Average Exercise Price		16.62
Options outstanding at December 31, 2020		$ 19.98
Aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding at December 31, 2020	[1]	$ 3,305,928

[1] The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding represents the difference between our closing stock price at the end of the reporting period and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money stock options.

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Share Based Compensation - Summary of Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 $ / shares shares
Exercise Price Range One
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise prices	$ 19.30
Shares | shares	150,000
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	8 years
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 19.30
Exercise Price Range Two
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise prices	$ 21.85
Shares | shares	54,150
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	6 years 7 months 24 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 21.85
Exercise Price Range Three
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise prices	19.30
Range of exercise prices	$ 21.85
Shares | shares	204,150
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	7 years 7 months 21 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 19.98

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Share Based Compensation - Assumptions Used in the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model to Estimate the Fair Value of Each Stock Option Grant (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate, Minimum	0.27%
Risk-free interest rate, Maximum	0.31%
Expected volatility, Minimum	46.90%
Expected volatility, Maximum	52.20%
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share of options granted	$ 8.38
Cash received from exercise of options (in thousands)	$ 2,077	$ 293	$ 84
Minimum [Member]
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Expected life	4 years 3 months 18 days
Maximum
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Expected life	5 years 4 months 24 days

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Acquisitions - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands, $ in Millions					1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 25, 2019 USD ($)	Jun. 08, 2019 USD ($) Hotel	Jun. 08, 2019 CAD ($) Hotel	May 16, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 CAD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Belton Chalet
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price				$ 3,200
Acquisition related costs				$ 300
Business acquisition date				May 16, 2019
Purchase price				$ 3,200
Mountain Park Lodges
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price		$ 75,837
Acquisition related costs							$ 900	$ 100
Business acquisition date		Jun. 08, 2019	Jun. 08, 2019
Percentage of controlling interest acquired		60.00%	60.00%
Number of hotels acquired | Hotel		7	7
Total consideration		$ 76,000	$ 100.6
Percentage of operations results consolidated to financial statements		100.00%	100.00%
Percentage of non-redeemable noncontrolling portion of income (loss) recorded in financial statements		40.00%	40.00%
Identifiable intangible assets acquired		$ 20,200
Weighted average amortization period		30 years 9 months 18 days	30 years 9 months 18 days
Purchase price		$ 75,837
New Sky Lagoon Attraction | Pursuit | Sky Lagoon Attraction
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of controlling interest acquired	51.00%
Payments to acquire controlling interest	$ 13,200
Maligne Canyon Restaurant
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price					$ 4,600	$ 6.0
Acquisition related costs								$ 24
Business acquisition date					Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018
Purchase price					$ 4,600	$ 6.0

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Acquisitions - Schedule of Recognized Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 08, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Excess purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired (“goodwill”)		$ 99,847	$ 287,983	$ 261,330
Mountain Park Lodges
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price	$ 75,837
Net working capital adjustment	18
Consideration transferred	75,855
Right to manage	(1,276)
Purchase price, net	74,579
Accounts receivable	333
Inventories	152
Prepaid expenses	276
Property and equipment	103,642
Intangible assets	20,180
Total assets acquired	124,583
Accounts payable	329
Advanced deposits payable	400
Deferred tax liability	19,734
Other liabilities	16
Total liabilities assumed	20,479
Noncontrolling interest equity	49,719
Total fair value of net assets acquired	54,385
Excess purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired (“goodwill”)	$ 20,194

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Acquisitions - Schedule of Proforma Results of Operations (Details) - Mountain Park Lodges - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,310,997	$ 1,264,664
Depreciation and amortization	61,597	62,261
Income from continuing operations	22,195	48,312
Net income attributable to Viad	$ 21,337	$ 49,070
Diluted income per share	$ 0.99	$ 2.39
Basic income per share	$ 0.99	$ 2.40

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Inventories - Components of Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Components of Inventories
Raw materials	$ 3,362	$ 11,788
Finished goods	5,365	5,481
Inventories	$ 8,727	$ 17,269

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Other Current Assets - Schedule of Other Current Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Prepaid insurance	$ 4,297	$ 5,573
Prepaid software maintenance	3,058	3,875
Restricted cash	2,426	5
Prepaid vendor payments	1,835	4,698
Prepaid taxes	345	917
Income tax receivable	337	13,250
Prepaid other	1,296	1,904
Other	3,631	632
Other current assets	$ 17,225	$ 30,854

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Property and Equipment - Schedule of Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Gross property and equipment		$ 820,888	$ 829,525
Accumulated depreciation		(352,100)	(353,974)
Property and equipment, net (excluding finance leases)		468,788	475,551
Finance lease ROU assets, net		23,366	25,350
Property and equipment, net		492,154	500,901
Land and land interests
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Gross property and equipment	[1]	32,849	34,532
Buildings and leasehold improvements
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Gross property and equipment		386,751	377,754
Equipment and other
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Gross property and equipment		$ 401,288	$ 417,239

[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 $8.3 million as of December 31, 2020 and $8.2 million as of December 31, 2019. These land interests are not subject to amortization.

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Property and Equipment - Schedule of Property and Equipment (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Leasehold interests	$ 820,888	$ 829,525
Leasehold Land Interests | Pursuit
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Leasehold interests	$ 8,300	$ 8,200

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Property and Equipment - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense					$ 46,500	$ 45,600	$ 45,800
Property and equipment purchased through accounts payable and accrued liabilities, increased/decreased amount					6,900	4,200	1,900
Impairment charges (recoveries)	$ 676	$ 114,020	$ 88,380	$ 5,346	203,076	$ 5,346	$ (35)
Capitalized Software
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Impairment charges (recoveries)					$ 1,600
Audio Visual
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Impairment charges (recoveries)				$ 3,800

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Other Investments and Assets - Summary of Other Investments and Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]
Self-insured liability receivable	$ 6,358	$ 9,982
Other mutual funds	3,457	3,107
Contract costs	2,912	3,961
Cash surrender value of life insurance		24,873
Other	2,765	3,196
Other investments and assets	$ 15,492	$ 45,119

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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, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning	$ 287,983	$ 261,330
Business acquisitions		20,684
Goodwill impairment	(185,789)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(415)	5,969
Other	(1,932)
Balance, ending	99,847	287,983
GES North America
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning	155,276	154,944
Goodwill impairment	(154,989)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(287)	332
Balance, ending		155,276
GES EMEA
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning	30,829	29,954
Goodwill impairment	(29,042)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,787)	875
Balance, ending		30,829
Pursuit
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning	101,878	76,432
Business acquisitions		20,684
Goodwill impairment	(1,758)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,659	4,762
Other	(1,932)
Balance, ending	$ 99,847	$ 101,878

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill by Reporting Unit and Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill	$ 99,847	$ 287,983	$ 261,330
GES North America
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill		155,276	154,944
GES North America | G E S U S
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill		148,277
GES North America | GES Canada
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill		6,999
GES EMEA
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill		30,829	29,954
GES
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill	99,800	186,105
Pursuit
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill	99,847	101,878	$ 76,432
Pursuit | Banff Jasper Collection
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill	54,856	55,524
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		1,758
FlyOver Canada | Pursuit
Goodwill by reporting unit and segment
Goodwill	$ 41,807	$ 41,412

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment			$ 415,500	$ 229,700
Income tax benefit related to goodwill impairment charges		$ 12,400
Full Impairement Charges	$ 113,100
Remaining goodwill balance			99,847	287,983	$ 261,330
Impairment charge to intangible assets			15,700	1,500
Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intangible asset amortization expense			6,400	10,600	11,000
G E S U S
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment		41,900
GES EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment		29,000
Remaining goodwill balance				30,829	29,954
Pursuit Glacier Park Collection
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment		$ 1,800
Pursuit
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Remaining goodwill balance			$ 99,847	$ 101,878	$ 76,432

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross Carrying Value	$ 103,101	$ 142,894
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Amortization	(32,502)	(49,157)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net Carrying Value	70,599	93,737
Other intangible assets, Gross Carrying Value	103,674	143,465
Other intangible assets, Net Carrying Value	$ 71,172	94,308
Customer contracts and relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Useful Life (Years)	6 years 4 months 24 days
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross Carrying Value	$ 38,214	72,219
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Amortization	(26,288)	(40,866)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net Carrying Value	$ 11,926	31,353
Operating contracts and licenses
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Useful Life (Years)	36 years 8 months 12 days
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross Carrying Value	$ 42,012	43,329
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Amortization	(2,405)	(1,881)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net Carrying Value	$ 39,607	41,448
In-place lease
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Useful Life (Years)	13 years 3 months 18 days
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross Carrying Value	$ 15,347	15,044
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Amortization	(656)	(231)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net Carrying Value	$ 14,691	14,813
Tradenames
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Useful Life (Years)	5 years 3 months 18 days
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross Carrying Value	$ 5,940	9,423
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Amortization	(2,435)	(4,338)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net Carrying Value	$ 3,505	5,085
Non-compete agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Useful Life (Years)	1 year
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross Carrying Value	$ 770	2,077
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Amortization	(616)	(1,775)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net Carrying Value	$ 154	302
Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Useful Life (Years)	7 years 2 months 12 days
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross Carrying Value	$ 818	802
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Amortization	(102)	(66)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net Carrying Value	716	736
Business licenses
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Value	$ 573	$ 571

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Estimated Future Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Estimated amortization expense related to amortized intangible assets
2021	$ 5,216
2022	5,129
2023	4,466
2024	3,510
2025	2,218
Thereafter	50,060
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net Carrying Value	$ 70,599	$ 93,737

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Other Current Liabilities - Schedule of Other Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Continuing operations:
Self-insured liability	$ 5,715	$ 5,668
Accrued interest payable	3,042	399
Accrued restructuring	2,479	2,130
Accrued employee benefit costs	2,363	3,564
Current portion of pension and postretirement liabilities	1,805	1,899
Accrued professional fees	1,691	1,248
Accrued sales and use taxes	1,547	5,451
Commissions payable	903	8,274
Accommodation services deposits	304	959
Accrued legal settlement		2,500
Accrued dividends		2,019
Other taxes	1,872	278
Other	4,819	4,788
Total continuing operations	26,540	39,177
Discontinued operations:
Environmental remediation liabilities	61	311
Self-insured liability	347	260
Other	91	76
Total discontinued operations	499	647
Total other current liabilities	$ 27,039	$ 39,824

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Other Deferred Items and Liabilities - Summary of Other Deferred Items and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Continuing operations:
Foreign deferred tax liability	$ 21,336	$ 32,570
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal liability	15,864	15,693
Self-insured liability	6,662	8,682
Self-insured excess liability	6,358	9,982
Accrued compensation	5,821	7,485
Accrued restructuring	2,751	2,383
Contract liabilities	23	125
Other	1,456	2,423
Total continuing operations	60,271	79,343
Discontinued operations:
Environmental remediation liabilities	2,179	1,964
Self-insured liability	1,639	2,018
Other	539	382
Total discontinued operations	4,357	4,364
Total other deferred items and liabilities	$ 64,628	$ 83,707

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Debt and Finance Lease Obligations - Schedule of Long-term Debt and Finance Lease Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Less unamortized debt issuance costs		$ (2,737)	$ (1,836)
Total debt	[1]	270,550	315,235
Finance lease obligations, 8.0% weighted-average interest rate at December 31, 2020 and 7.7% at December 31, 2019, due through 2039		23,141	25,257
Total debt and finance lease obligations	[2]	293,691	340,492
Current portion	[3]	(8,335)	(5,330)
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations		285,356	335,162
FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility	[4]	5,820	5,607
Fly Over Iceland Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility	[4]	705
2018 Credit Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility	[4]	$ 266,762	$ 311,464

[1] The weighted-average interest rate on total debt (including unamortized debt issuance costs and commitment fees) was 4.6% for 2020, 4.2% for 2019 and 4.3% for 2018. The estimated fair value of total debt and finance leases was $254.0 million as of December 31, 2020 and $304.0 million as of December 31, 2019. The fair value of debt was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using rates currently available for debt of similar terms and maturity, which is a Level 2 measurement. Refer to Note 13 – Fair Value Measurements.

[2] Cash paid for interest on debt was $14.0 million during 2020, $11.9 million during 2019, and $8.5 million during 2018.

[3] Subsequent to the filing of our 2019 Form 10-K, we identified a correction related to the classification of the 2018 Credit Facility (as defined below) from current to long-term given that the 2018 Credit Facility’s contractual maturity was not within 12 months of the balance sheet date, and we were in compliance with all applicable covenants as of December 31, 2019. As a result, we corrected the classification of the debt on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet and the disclosure related to classification of debt in the table above as of December 31, 2019 to present the 2018 Credit Facility as long-term. Except for this change, the correction had no impact upon this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We determined that the error is not material to the previously issued financial statements.

[4] Represents the weighted-average interest rate in effect at the respective periods, including any applicable margin. The interest rates do not include amortization of debt issuance costs or commitment fees.

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Debt and Finance Lease Obligations - Schedule of Long-term Debt and Finance Lease Obligations (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate on long term debt	4.60%	4.20%	4.30%
Fair value of debt	$ 254.0	$ 304.0
Cash paid for interest on debt	$ 14.0	$ 11.9	$ 8.5
Current revolving credit facility maturity period	12 months	12 months
FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate on long term debt	4.90%	4.90%
Fly Over Iceland Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on credit facility	3.80%
2018 Credit Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on credit facility	4.50%	3.90%

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Debt and Finance Lease Obligations - Narrative (Details) € in Millions, kr in Millions					12 Months Ended
		Jan. 08, 2021	Aug. 05, 2020 USD ($)	Oct. 24, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2020 ISK (kr)	Dec. 29, 2020 ISK (kr)	Oct. 15, 2020 ISK (kr)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Feb. 15, 2019 USD ($)	Feb. 15, 2019 EUR (€)
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum liquidity requirement					$ 100,000,000
Pledge percentage of capital stock			100.00%
Fees related to the amendment			$ 1,700,000
Liabilities Current					$ 97,733,000					$ 237,323,000
LIBOR rate [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Variable rate			3.50%
Revolving Credit Facility | Maximum
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Leverage ratio during covenant waiver period			400.00%
FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maturity date		Sep. 01, 2023			Mar. 01, 2022
Revolving credit facility, balance outstanding	[1]				$ 5,820,000					5,607,000
Maximum borrowing capacity on credit facility											$ 5,600,000	€ 5.0
Line Of Credit Facility Amendment Description					an addendum to the FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility effective January 8, 2021 wherein the principal payments were deferred for twelve months beginning December 1, 2020, with the first payment due December 1, 2021. The addendum also extended the maturity date to September 1, 2023. There were no other changes to the terms of the FlyOver Iceland Credit Facility
Line Of Credit Facility Date Of First Required Payment1		Dec. 01, 2020
Liabilities Current					$ 5,800,000	€ 4.8
Fly Over Iceland Term Loan
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, balance outstanding	[1]				705,000
Maximum borrowing capacity on credit facility					700,000		kr 90.0
2018 Credit Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Borrowing capacity on line of credit				$ 450,000,000
Additional borrowing capacity on line of credit				250,000,000
Line of Credit borrowings used to support letter of credit				$ 20,000,000
Maturity date				Oct. 24, 2023
Annual share repurchase and dividends limit on leverage ratio basis				$ 20,000,000
Leverage ratio required for dividend or share activity				275.00%
Maximum additional dividends amount permitted to distribute				$ 15,000,000
Interest coverage ratio			200.00%
Remaining borrowing capacity on line of credit					173,500,000
Revolving credit facility, balance outstanding	[1]				266,762,000					$ 311,464,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding					$ 9,700,000
Commitment fee percentage on line of credit					0.50%
2018 Credit Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility | Maximum
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Leverage ratio, post covenant waiver period			450.00%
Financial covenants leverage ratio step up			400.00%
Amendment Three Credit Agreement [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum liquidity requirement					$ 100,000,000
Pledge percentage of capital stock			100.00%
Fees related to the amendment			$ 1,700,000
Amendment Three Credit Agreement [Member] | Unsecured Debt [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit Facility Expansion Feature			$ 250,000,000
Amendment Three Credit Agreement [Member] | LIBOR rate [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Variable rate			3.50%
First Term Loan [Member] | Fly Over Iceland Term Loan
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maturity date					Apr. 01, 2023
Maximum borrowing capacity on credit facility | kr									kr 10.0
Line Of Term Loan Amendment Description					bears interest on a seven-day term deposit at the Central Bank of Iceland.
Second Term Loan [Member] | Fly Over Iceland Term Loan
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maturity date					Oct. 01, 2024
Maximum borrowing capacity on credit facility | kr									kr 30.0
Line Of Term Loan Amendment Description					bears interest on a seven-day term deposit at the Central Bank of Iceland plus 3.07%.
Third Term Loan [Member] | Fly Over Iceland Term Loan
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maturity date					Feb. 01, 2023
Maximum borrowing capacity on credit facility | kr								kr 50.0
Line Of Term Loan Amendment Description					bears interest at one-month Reykjavik InterBank Offered Rate (“REIBOR”) plus 4.99%. The Icelandic State Treasury guarantees supplemental loans provided by credit institutions to companies impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, the Icelandic State Treasury guaranteed the repayment of up to 85% of the principal and interest on the ISK 10.0 million and ISK 30.0 million term loans and 70% of the principal amount on the ISK 50.0 million term loan.

[1] Represents the weighted-average interest rate in effect at the respective periods, including any applicable margin. The interest rates do not include amortization of debt issuance costs or commitment fees.

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Debt and Finance Lease Obligations - Schedule of Aggregate Annual Maturities of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	[1]	$ 270,550	$ 315,235
Credit Facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2021		5,820
2022		53
2023		267,306
2024		108
2025
Thereafter
Total debt		$ 273,287

[1] The weighted-average interest rate on total debt (including unamortized debt issuance costs and commitment fees) was 4.6% for 2020, 4.2% for 2019 and 4.3% for 2018. The estimated fair value of total debt and finance leases was $254.0 million as of December 31, 2020 and $304.0 million as of December 31, 2019. The fair value of debt was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using rates currently available for debt of similar terms and maturity, which is a Level 2 measurement. Refer to Note 13 – Fair Value Measurements.

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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, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair value information related to assets
Assets		$ 3,459	$ 3,230
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Fair value information related to assets
Assets		3,459	3,230
Money market funds
Fair value information related to assets
Assets	[1]	2	123
Money market funds | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Fair value information related to assets
Assets	[1]	2	123
Other mutual funds
Fair value information related to assets
Assets	[2]	3,457	3,107
Other mutual funds | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Fair value information related to assets
Assets	[2]	$ 3,457	$ 3,107

[1] We include money market funds in “Cash and cash equivalents” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We classify these investments as available-for-sale and recorded them 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] We include other mutual funds in “Other investments and assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets

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Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis (Parenthetical) (Details) - Money market funds	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
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

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Income (Loss) 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, 2020		Sep. 30, 2020		Jun. 30, 2020		Mar. 31, 2020		Dec. 31, 2019		Sep. 30, 2019		Jun. 30, 2019		Mar. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2020		Dec. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad (diluted)	$ (50,473)		$ (30,758)		$ (206,278)		$ (86,585)		$ (5,428)		$ 31,416		$ 13,824		$ (17,777)		$ (374,094)		$ 22,035		$ 49,170
Less: Allocation to non-vested shares																			(147)		(458)
Dividends on convertible preferred stock																	(3,006)
Adjustment to the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest																	(926)		(1,318)		(251)
Net income (loss) allocated to Viad common stockholders (basic)																	$ (378,026)		$ 20,570		$ 48,461
Denominator:
Weighted-average outstanding common shares																	20,279		20,146		20,168
Additional dilutive shares related to share-based compensation																			138		236
Diluted weighted-average outstanding shares																	20,279		20,284		20,404
Basic income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders																	$ (18.64)		$ 1.02		$ 2.40
Diluted income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ (2.58)	[1]	$ (1.59)	[1]	$ (10.19)	[1]	$ (4.29)	[1]	$ (0.31)	[1]	$ 1.53	[1]	$ 0.67	[1]	$ (0.89)	[1]	$ (18.64)	[2]	$ 1.02	[2]	$ 2.40	[2]

[1] The sum of quarterly income per share amounts may not equal annual income per share due to rounding.

[2] Diluted loss per share amount cannot exceed basic loss per share.

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Income (Loss) Per Share - Schedule of Excluded Weighted-Average Potential Common Shares from Calculations of Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Shares (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Convertible Preferred Stock (as Converted to Common Stock)
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Common stock shares effect would be anti-dilutive	6,406,324
Unvested Restricted Share-Based Awards
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Common stock shares effect would be anti-dilutive	115,089	8,000	500
Stock Options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Common stock shares effect would be anti-dilutive	24,205

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Common and Preferred Stock - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands			12 Months Ended
	Aug. 05, 2020	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Feb. 07, 2019
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Junior participating preferred Stock, Authorized			2,000,000
Junior participating preferred Stock, Outstanding			0
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized			5,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding			135,000
Preferred stock dividend rate percentage		10.00%
Frequency of periodic payment of cumulative dividend	quarterly
Common Stock Repurchases (Textual) [Abstract]
Authorized repurchase of additional shares						500,000
Repurchased shares			53,784	0	340,473
Shares remain available for repurchase			546,283
Common stock purchased for treasury			$ 2,800		$ 17,200
Dividends payable, date of record		Apr. 13, 2020
Preferred stock, voting rights		one preferred stock purchase right per each outstanding share of Viad common stock to purchase one one-hundredth of a share
Preferred stock exercise price		$ 115
Preferred stock, redemption price per share		$ 0.01
Preferred stock, redemption date		Feb. 28, 2021
Convertible Series A Preferred Stock
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend rate percentage	5.50%
Frequency of periodic payment of cumulative dividend	quarterly
Convertible preferred stock conversion price per share	$ 21.25
Dividends paid in kind			$ 3,000
Crestview Partners | Convertible Series A Preferred Stock
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion	135,000
Preferred Stock, Par value	$ 0.01
Purchase price	$ 135,000
Shares issued, price per share	$ 1,000
Delayed draw commitment	$ 45,000
Capital raising expense	$ 9,200

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 547,229	$ 450,555
Ending Balance	174,099	547,229
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(23,799)	(36,332)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	7,113	12,533
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	7,113	12,533
Ending Balance	(16,686)	(23,799)
Unrecognized Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Credit, Net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(11,900)	(11,643)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(27)	(10)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax	(2,028)	(247)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,055)	(257)
Ending Balance	(13,955)	(11,900)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(35,699)	(47,975)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	7,086	12,523
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax	(2,028)	(247)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	5,058	12,276
Ending Balance	$ (30,641)	$ (35,699)

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Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Tax cuts and jobs act of 2017 complete accounting deemed repatriation federal tax	$ 5,200
Tax cuts and jobs act of 2017 complete accounting estimated payments of liability	1,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	99,188	$ 40,525
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	$ 81,795	4,276
Cumulative loss incurred over the period	4 years
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards	$ 5,326	7,879
Operating Loss Carryforwards	25,600
Deferred Tax, Operating Loss Carryforwards	44,358	5,371
Liability for uncertain tax positions	300	200
Cash Refunds from Income Taxes	14,900
Paid Cash for Income Taxes		17,200	$ 27,300
Foreign Income Tax Credit
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards	4,500
U.S
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Research and development credit carryforwards	700
U.S | Foreign Income Tax Credit
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards	$ 3,800
Tax credit carryforward expiration year	2022
Foreign Tax Authority | CA
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 28,400
Foreign Tax Authority | Iceland And Poland
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 8,800
Foreign Tax Authority | Iceland And Poland | Minimum [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carry forwards expire period	5 years
Foreign Tax Authority | Iceland And Poland | Maximum
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carry forwards expire period	10 years
Foreign Tax Authority | CA
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carry back period	3 years
Operating loss carryforwards period	20 years
Foreign Tax Authority | Foreign Income Tax Credit | United Kingdom
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards	$ 700
State and Foreign
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	371,200	55,200
Deferred Tax, Operating Loss Carryforwards	44,400	$ 5,400
State and Local Jurisdiction
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 181,500
State and Local Jurisdiction | Latest Tax Year
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward expiration year	2020
State and Local Jurisdiction | Earliest Tax Year
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward expiration year	2039

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Income Taxes - Summary of Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Foreign									$ (95,919)	$ 49,171	$ 54,753
United States									(264,940)	(23,061)	10,256
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$ (57,855)	$ (27,005)	$ (172,221)	$ (103,778)	$ (14,867)	$ 46,498	$ 20,008	$ (25,529)	$ (360,859)	$ 26,110	$ 65,009

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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, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current:
Federal	$ (128)	$ (2,260)	$ 41
State	674	1,400	(335)
Foreign	(1,397)	13,764	12,039
Total current	(851)	12,904	11,745
Deferred:
Federal	17,171	(3,355)	1,860
State	2,896	(1,619)	860
Foreign	(4,970)	(5,424)	2,630
Total deferred	15,097	(10,398)	5,350
Income tax expense	$ 14,246	$ 2,506	$ 17,095

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Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract]
Computed income tax (benefit) expense at statutory federal income tax rate	$ (75,780)	$ 5,483	$ 13,665
State income tax (benefit), net of federal benefit	(4,138)	(173)	3,489
Deemed mandatory repatriation state tax			(909)
Deemed mandatory repatriation federal tax, net of foreign tax credit			(1,690)
Remeasurement of deferred taxes due to change in tax rates		(4,517)	(510)
Foreign tax rate differential	(401)	3,122	4,138
U.S. tax (benefit) on current year foreign earnings, net of foreign tax credits		(1,792)	(223)
Goodwill impairment	16,471
Change in valuation allowance	77,369	920	(653)
Other adjustments, net	725	(537)	(212)
Income tax expense	$ 14,246	$ 2,506	$ 17,095
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent [Abstract]
Computed income tax (benefit) expense at statutory federal income tax rate	21.00%	21.00%	21.00%
State income tax (benefit), net of federal benefit	1.10%	(0.20%)	5.40%
Deemed mandatory repatriation state tax rate	0.00%	0.00%	(1.40%)
Deemed mandatory repatriation federal tax, net of foreign tax credit, tax rate	0.00%	0.00%	(2.60%)
Remeasurement of deferred taxes due to change in tax rates, tax rate	0.00%	(17.30%)	(0.80%)
Foreign tax differentials rate	0.10%	12.00%	6.40%
U.S. tax (benefit) on current year foreign earnings, net of foreign tax credits	(0.00%)	(6.90%)	(0.30%)
Goodwill impairment	(4.60%)	0.00%	0.00%
Change in valuation allowance, tax rate	(21.30%)	1.80%	(1.00%)
Other adjustments, net, tax rate	(0.20%)	(0.80%)	(0.30%)
Income tax expense	(3.90%)	9.60%	26.40%

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Income Taxes - Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Deferred tax assets:
Tax credit carryforwards	$ 5,326	$ 7,879
Pension, compensation, and other employee benefits	11,991	17,231
Provisions for losses	4,623	4,778
Net operating loss carryforwards	44,358	5,371
State income taxes		3,089
Leases	660
Goodwill and other intangible assets	18,055
Other deferred income tax assets	14,175	2,177
Total deferred tax assets	99,188	40,525
Valuation allowance	(81,795)	(4,276)
Foreign deferred tax assets included above	(7,717)	(2,351)
United States net deferred tax assets	9,676	33,898
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	(24,017)	(20,681)
Goodwill and other intangible assets	(8,846)	(16,172)
Leases	(857)
Life insurance		(3,945)
Other deferred income tax liabilities	(4,485)	(1,858)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(38,205)	(42,656)
Foreign deferred tax liabilities included above	28,490	31,192
United States net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$ (39)
United States net deferred tax assets		$ 22,434

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Income Taxes - Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Beginning Balance	$ 225	$ 370	$ 1,425
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years	25	151	31
Reductions for lapse of applicable statutes	0	(296)	(1,086)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	$ 250	$ 225	$ 370

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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, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$ 51	$ 64
Interest cost	296	458
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial (gain) loss	688	(1,117)
Domestic Plans | Pension Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost		61	$ 64
Interest cost	653	861	780
Expected return on plan assets	(145)	(99)	(193)
Recognized net actuarial loss	526	403	494
Net periodic benefit cost	1,034	1,226	1,145
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial (gain) loss	1,587	1,305	(76)
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss	(526)	(403)	(494)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income	1,061	902	(570)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	2,095	2,128	575
Domestic Plans | Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	51	64	80
Interest cost	296	458	449
Amortization of prior service credit	(146)	(189)	(205)
Recognized net actuarial loss	18	112	405
Net periodic benefit cost	219	445	729
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial (gain) loss	688	(1,117)	170
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss	(18)	(112)	(405)
Prior service credit	146	189	205
Total recognized in other comprehensive income	816	(1,040)	(30)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	1,035	(595)	699
Foreign Pension Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	444	405	552
Interest cost	365	397	381
Expected return on plan assets	(530)	(487)	(505)
Recognized net actuarial loss	162	127	139
Net periodic benefit cost	441	442	567
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial (gain) loss	368	605	(238)
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss	(162)	(127)	(139)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income	206	478	(377)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	$ 647	$ 920	$ 190

XML

Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Summary of Funded Status of the Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Domestic Plans
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$ 11,291
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	11,878	$ 11,291
Foreign Pension Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Service cost	444	405	$ 552
Interest cost	365	397	381
Actuarial adjustments	368	605	(238)
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	10,013
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	10,798	10,013
Foreign Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	9,990	8,134
Service cost	444	405
Interest cost	295	320
Actuarial adjustments	686	1,037
Benefits paid	(743)	(336)
Translation adjustment	244	430
Benefit obligation at end of year	10,916	9,990	8,134
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	10,013	8,243
Actual return on plan assets	1,044	1,156
Company contributions	253	515
Benefits paid	(743)	(336)
Translation adjustment	231	435
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	10,798	10,013	8,243
Funded status at end of year	(118)	23
Foreign Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	2,331	2,290
Interest cost	70	77
Actuarial adjustments	111	106
Benefits paid	(180)	(178)
Translation adjustment	117	36
Benefit obligation at end of year	2,449	2,331	2,290
Change in plan assets:
Company contributions	180	178
Benefits paid	(180)	(178)
Funded status at end of year	(2,449)	(2,331)
Pension Plans | Domestic Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Service cost		61	64
Interest cost	653	861	780
Actuarial adjustments	1,587	1,305	(76)
Pension Plans | Domestic Plans | Funded Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	15,572	14,235
Interest cost	406	527
Actuarial adjustments	1,242	1,611
Benefits paid	(889)	(801)
Benefit obligation at end of year	16,331	15,572	14,235
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	11,291	10,299
Actual return on plan assets	584	1,157
Company contributions	892	636
Benefits paid	(889)	(801)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	11,878	11,291	10,299
Funded status at end of year	(4,453)	(4,281)
Pension Plans | Domestic Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	9,462	9,271
Service cost		61
Interest cost	247	333
Actuarial adjustments	784	753
Benefits paid	(717)	(956)
Benefit obligation at end of year	9,776	9,462	9,271
Change in plan assets:
Company contributions	717	956
Benefits paid	(717)	(956)
Funded status at end of year	(9,776)	(9,462)
Postretirement Benefit Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	11,986	13,454
Service cost	51	64
Interest cost	296	458
Actuarial adjustments	688	(1,117)
Benefits paid	(802)	(873)
Benefit obligation at end of year	12,219	11,986	13,454
Change in plan assets:
Company contributions	802	873
Benefits paid	(802)	(873)
Funded status at end of year	(12,219)	(11,986)
Postretirement Benefit Plans | Domestic Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Service cost	51	64	80
Interest cost	296	458	449
Actuarial adjustments	$ 688	$ (1,117)	$ 170

XML

Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Net Amount Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
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	$ 4,453	$ 4,281
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	9,776	9,462
Domestic Plans | Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	12,219	11,986
Foreign Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	118	(23)
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	2,449	2,331
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	(31)	(43)
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	687	703
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	931	1,019
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	187	177
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	4,453	4,281
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	9,089	8,759
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	11,288	10,967
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	149	20
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	$ 2,262	$ 2,154

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Amounts Recognized in AOCI (Details) - Domestic Plans - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
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	$ 9,252	$ 8,856
Subtotal	9,252	8,856
Less tax effect		(2,236)
Total	9,252	6,620
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	3,409	2,744
Subtotal	3,409	2,744
Less tax effect		(693)
Total	3,409	2,051
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	1,990	1,320
Prior service credit	189	43
Subtotal	2,179	1,363
Less tax effect		(344)
Total	2,179	1,019
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	14,651	12,920
Prior service credit	189	43
Subtotal	14,840	12,963
Less tax effect		(3,273)
Total	$ 14,840	$ 9,690

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Fair Value of the Plans' Assets by Asset Class (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Domestic Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	$ 11,878	$ 11,291
Domestic Plans | Fixed Income Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	6,430	5,267
Domestic Plans | Equity Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	4,485	5,518
Domestic Plans | Cash
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	774	316
Domestic Plans | Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	189	190
Foreign Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	10,798	10,013
Foreign Pension Plans | Fixed Income Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	5,450	5,194
Foreign Pension Plans | Equity Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	5,153	4,669
Foreign Pension Plans | Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	195	150
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Domestic Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	11,689	11,101
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Domestic Plans | Fixed Income Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	6,430	5,267
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Domestic Plans | Equity Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	4,485	5,518
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Domestic Plans | Cash
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	774	316
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Foreign Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	10,798	10,013
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Foreign Pension Plans | Fixed Income Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	5,450	5,194
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Foreign Pension Plans | Equity Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	5,153	4,669
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Foreign Pension Plans | Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	195	150
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Domestic Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	189	190
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Domestic Plans | Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value measurement domestic pension plans	$ 189	$ 190

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Payments and Receipts Reflecting Expected Future Service (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Foreign Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Expected future service expected to be paid
2021	$ 444
2022	402
2023	440
2024	442
2025	441
2026-2030	2,359
Foreign Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Expected future service expected to be paid
2021	190
2022	189
2023	188
2024	188
2025	187
2026-2030	920
Pension Plans | Domestic Plans | Funded Plans
Expected future service expected to be paid
2021	1,439
2022	1,020
2023	1,012
2024	975
2025	1,044
2026-2030	4,641
Pension Plans | Domestic Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Expected future service expected to be paid
2021	695
2022	699
2023	684
2024	666
2025	648
2026-2030	2,919
Postretirement Benefit Plans | Domestic Plans
Expected future service expected to be paid
2021	943
2022	925
2023	902
2024	875
2025	835
2026-2030	$ 3,541

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Multiemployer plans, withdrawal obligation		$ 15.5
Multiemployer plans, plan contributions		0.2
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	$ 1.7	5.0	$ 4.8
Postretirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amount expected to contribute in postretirement benefit plans	0.9
Funded Plans | Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amount expected to contribute in funded pension plans	0.8
Unfunded Pension Plans | Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amount expected to contribute in unfunded pension plans	0.9
Foreign Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial losses for the foreign funded plans recognized in AOCI (before tax)	(2.7)	(2.6)
Net actuarial losses for the foreign funded plans recognized in AOCI (after tax)	(2.0)	(1.9)
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)	(0.8)	(0.7)
Net actuarial losses for the foreign unfunded plans recognized in AOCI (after tax)	$ (0.6)	$ (0.5)

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Domestic Plans | Funded Plans
Accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation	$ 16,331	$ 15,572
Accumulated benefit obligation	16,331	15,572
Fair value of plan assets	11,878	11,291
Domestic Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation	9,776	9,462
Accumulated benefit obligation	9,776	9,454
Foreign Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation	10,916	9,990
Accumulated benefit obligation	10,447	9,347
Fair value of plan assets	10,798	10,013
Foreign Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation	2,449	2,331
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 2,449	$ 2,331

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Foreign Pension Plans
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations
Discount rate	2.34%	2.92%
Rate of compensation increase	2.35%	2.34%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	2.93%	3.68%
Expected return on plan assets	4.39%	4.55%
Rate of compensation increase	2.35%	2.34%
Pension Plans | Domestic Plans | Funded Plans
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations
Discount rate	2.38%	3.15%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.12%	4.28%
Expected return on plan assets	5.50%	5.50%
Pension Plans | Domestic Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations
Discount rate	2.35%	3.13%
Rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.13%	4.22%
Rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%
Postretirement Benefit Plans | Domestic Plans
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations
Discount rate	2.47%	3.17%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate		4.29%
Expected return on plan assets		0.00%
Postretirement Benefit Plans | Domestic Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.19%
Expected return on plan assets	0.00%

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Multi-Employer Pension Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Entity Tax Identification Number		36-1169950
Viad Contributions		$ 8,592	$ 27,283	$ 26,396
Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Entity Tax Identification Number		91-6145047
Plan No:		001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Green	Green
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented		No
Viad Contributions		$ 2,898	$ 6,754	6,471
Surcharge Paid		No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date		May 31, 2021
Southern California Local 831-Employer Pension Fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Entity Tax Identification Number	[1]	95-6376874
Plan No:	[1]	001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	[1]	Green	Green
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented	[1]	No
Viad Contributions	[1]	$ 943	$ 3,427	3,087
Surcharge Paid	[1]	No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date	[1]	Aug. 31, 2021
Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Pension Fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Entity Tax Identification Number		36-6130207
Plan No:		001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Green	Green
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented		Implemented
Viad Contributions		$ 608	$ 2,877	2,876
Surcharge Paid		No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date		May 31, 2024
IBEW Local Union No 357 Pension Plan A
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Entity Tax Identification Number		88-6023284
Plan No:		001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Green	Green
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented		No
Viad Contributions		$ 843	$ 1,074	1,025
Surcharge Paid		No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date		Jun. 16, 2021
Machinery Movers Riggers & Mach Erect Local 136 Supplemental Retirement Plan(1),
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Entity Tax Identification Number	[1]	36-1416355
Plan No:	[1]	011
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	[1]	Yellow	Yellow
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented	[1]	Implemented
Viad Contributions	[1]	$ 337	$ 797	1,328
Surcharge Paid	[1]	Yes
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date	[1]	Jun. 30, 2024
Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Entity Tax Identification Number		36-6044243
Plan No:		001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Red	Red
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented		Implemented
Viad Contributions		$ 7	$ 872	1,177
Surcharge Paid		No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date		Mar. 31, 2023
Electrical Contractors Assoc. Chicago Local Union 134, IBEW Joint Pension Trust of Chicago Plan 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Entity Tax Identification Number	[2]	51-6030753
Plan No:	[2]	002
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	[2]	Green	Green
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented	[2]	No
Viad Contributions	[2]	$ 509	$ 1,651	927
Surcharge Paid	[2]	No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date	[2]	Jun. 06, 2021
Southwest Carpenters Pension Trust
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Entity Tax Identification Number		95-6042875
Plan No:		001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Green	Green
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented		No
Viad Contributions		$ 195	$ 717	789
Surcharge Paid		No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date		Jul. 31, 2023
Southern California IBEW-NECA Pension Fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Entity Tax Identification Number		95-6392774
Plan No:		001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Yellow	Yellow
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented		Implemented
Viad Contributions		$ 89	$ 799	881
Surcharge Paid		Yes
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date		Aug. 31, 2021
New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Entity Tax Identification Number		04-6372430
Plan No:		001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Red	Red
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented		Implemented
Viad Contributions		$ 42	$ 506	423
Surcharge Paid		No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date		Mar. 31, 2022
Sign Pictorial & Display Industry Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Entity Tax Identification Number	[1]	94-6278490
Plan No:	[1]	001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	[1]	Green	Green
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented	[1]	No
Viad Contributions	[1]	$ 92	$ 768	778
Surcharge Paid	[1]	No
Collective bargaining agreements expiration date	[1]	Mar. 31, 2021
All other funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Viad Contributions	[2]	$ 963	3,625	3,734
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Viad Contributions		7,526	23,867	23,496
Total contributions to other plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Viad Contributions		$ 1,066	$ 3,416	$ 2,900

[1] We contributed more than 5% of total plan contributions for the plan year detailed in the plans’ most recent Form 5500s.

[2] Represents participation in 31 pension funds during 2020.

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Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Multi-Employer Pension Plans (Parenthetical) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 PensionFund
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Percentage of excess employer contributions	5.00%
Aggregate number of funds	31

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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, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance					$ 4,513				$ 2,251	$ 4,513	$ 2,251	$ 2,549
Restructuring charges		$ 1,070	$ 11,259	$ 260	851	$ 1,535	$ 1,702	$ 4,455	688	13,440	8,380	1,587
Cash payments										(10,825)	(6,193)	(1,716)
Non-cash items	[1]									(1,789)
Adjustment to liability										(109)	75	(169)
Ending balance		5,230				4,513				5,230	4,513	2,251
GES | Severance & Employee Benefits
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance					2,935				2,039	2,935	2,039	1,551
Restructuring charges										6,563	6,071	1,457
Cash payments										(7,051)	(5,169)	(1,379)
Adjustment to liability										(7)	(6)	410
Ending balance		2,440				2,935				2,440	2,935	2,039
GES | Facilities
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance					1,339				200	1,339	200	807
Restructuring charges										5,784	1,817
Cash payments										(2,573)	(752)	(156)
Non-cash items	[1]									(1,789)
Adjustment to liability										5	74	(451)
Ending balance		2,766				1,339				2,766	1,339	200
Other Restructuring | Severance & Employee Benefits
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance					$ 239				$ 12	239	12	191
Restructuring charges										1,093	492	130
Cash payments										(1,201)	(272)	(181)
Adjustment to liability										(107)	7	(128)
Ending balance		$ 24				$ 239				$ 24	$ 239	$ 12

[1] Represents the impact related to the closure and liquidation of GES’ United Kingdom-based audio-visual services business during the year ended December 31, 2020.

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Restructuring Charges - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Payments of liabilities related to severance and employee benefits	$ 1.6

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Leases and Other - Summary of Balance Sheet Presentation of Operating and Finance Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Operating lease assets	$ 82,739	$ 103,314
Finance lease assets	23,366	25,350
Total lease assets	106,105	128,664
Operating lease obligations	15,697	22,180
Finance lease obligations	2,514
Operating lease obligations	70,150	82,851
Finance lease obligations	20,627
Total lease liabilities	108,988	130,288
Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Operating lease assets	82,739	103,314
Property and Equipment, Net
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Finance lease assets	23,366	25,350
Operating Lease Obligations
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Operating lease obligations	15,697	22,180
Current Portion of Debt and Finance Lease Obligations
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Finance lease obligations	2,514	3,386
Long-Term Operating Lease Obligations
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Operating lease obligations	70,150	82,851
Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Obligations
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Finance lease obligations	$ 20,627	$ 21,871

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Leases and Other - Components of Least Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	$ 3,662	$ 2,780
Interest on lease liabilities	1,668	924
Operating lease cost	27,259	26,511
Short-term lease cost	701	1,932
Variable lease cost	5,672	6,271
Total lease cost, net	$ 38,962	$ 38,418

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Leases and Other - Schedule of Other Information Related to Operating and Finance Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 26,250	$ 28,146
Operating cash flows from finance leases	1,948	502
Financing cash flows from finance leases	3,543	2,698
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	659	125,755
Finance leases	$ 2,141	$ 18,822
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):
Operating leases	8 years 4 months 20 days	8 years 2 months 1 day
Finance leases	13 years 11 months 19 days	14 years 3 days
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases	6.93%	5.77%
Finance leases	7.99%	7.73%

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Leases and Other - Schedule of Estimated Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Non-cancelable Leases Excluding Variable Leases and Variable Non-lease Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
2021	$ 22,046
2022	16,567
2023	13,489
2024	10,314
2025	8,994
Thereafter	45,101
Total future lease payments	116,511
Less: Amount representing interest	(30,664)
Present value of minimum lease payments	85,847
Current portion	15,697	$ 22,180
Long-term portion	70,150	82,851
2021	4,405
2022	3,917
2023	3,397
2024	2,724
2025	2,193
Thereafter	22,973
Total future lease payments	39,609
Less: Amount representing interest	(16,468)
Present value of minimum lease payments	23,141	25,257
Current portion	2,514
Long-term portion	20,627
2021	26,451
2022	20,484
2023	16,886
2024	13,038
2025	11,187
Thereafter	68,074
Total future lease payments	156,120
Less: Amount representing interest	(47,132)
Total lease liabilities	108,988	$ 130,288
Current portion	18,211
Long-term portion	$ 90,777

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Leases and Other - Schedule of Estimated Future Minimum Rentals Under Non-cancellable Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2021	$ 1,612
2022	1,089
2023	869
2024	646
2025	493
Thereafter	1,332
Total minimum sublease rents	$ 6,041

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Leases and Other - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Operating lease not yet commenced, description	we had executed certain facility and land leases for which we did not have control of the underlying assets. Accordingly, we did not record the lease liabilities and ROU assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These leases include future planned attractions for Pursuit that are currently in the planning or development phase and that we expect the lease commencement dates to begin between fiscal years 2021 and 2023 with lease terms of 23 to 47 years.
Minimum [Member]
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Operating lease not yet commenced, term of contract	23 years
Maximum
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Operating lease not yet commenced, term of contract	47 years

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Litigation, Claims, Contingencies, and Other - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) Agreement	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Legal settlement	$ 8,500,000		$ 8,500,000
Environmental remediation liability		$ 2,200,000
Maximum potential amount of future payments		$ 91,700,000
Guarantees relate to facilities and equipment leased by the company		2040-01
Recourse provision to recover guarantees		$ 0
Bargaining agreements | Agreement		100
Multiemployer plans, withdrawal obligation			15,500,000
Self insurance reserve		$ 12,400,000
Workers' compensation liability		7,800,000
Self insurance reserve for general and auto		4,600,000
Self insurance reserve on discontinued operations		2,000,000.0
Payments for self insurance		5,000,000.0	6,900,000	$ 5,400,000
Estimated employee health benefit claims incurred but not yet reported		800,000
Self insurance reserve in which company is the primary obligor		6,400,000
Self insurance reserve in which company is the primary obligor for workers compensation		6,400,000
Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
General range on claims		200,000
Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
General range on claims		$ 500,000
GES
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Legal settlement			$ 8,500,000

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Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest - Narrative (Details) - Esja Attractions ehf. - EUR (€)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	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”) 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 [Member]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Unadjusted EBITDA	€ 3,250,000

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Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest - Summary of Changes in Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 6,172	$ 5,909
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	(1,482)	(821)	$ (317)
Adjustment to the redemption value	926	1,318
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(391)	(234)
Ending balance	$ 5,225	$ 6,172	$ 5,909

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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, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Total revenue										$ 415,435	$ 1,302,736	$ 1,237,324
Segment operating income										(124,862)	79,445	77,591
Interest income		$ 64	$ 58	$ 176	$ 79	$ 109	$ 79	$ 83	$ 98	377	369	354
Interest expense		(3,552)	(5,508)	(5,186)	(4,018)	(4,587)	(3,740)	(2,957)	(2,915)	(18,264)	(14,199)	(9,640)
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal				(462)		(185)		(15,508)		(462)	(15,693)
Other expense		(238)	(210)	(265)	(419)	(394)	(281)	(456)	(455)	(1,132)	(1,586)	(1,744)
Restructuring (charges) recoveries		(1,070)	(11,259)	(260)	(851)	(1,535)	(1,702)	(4,455)	(688)	(13,440)	(8,380)	(1,587)
Impairment charges (recoveries)			676	114,020	88,380	5,346				203,076	5,346	(35)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		$ (57,855)	$ (27,005)	$ (172,221)	$ (103,778)	$ (14,867)	$ 46,498	$ 20,008	$ (25,529)	(360,859)	26,110	65,009
GES
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Total revenue										338,625	1,079,923	1,052,037
Pursuit
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Total revenue										76,810	222,813	185,287
Operating Segments
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Segment operating income										(116,240)	90,243	88,517
Operating Segments | GES
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Total revenue										338,625	1,079,923	1,052,037
Segment operating income										(73,897)	35,933	39,602
Legal settlement											(8,500)
Operating Segments | Pursuit
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Total revenue										76,810	222,813	185,287
Segment operating income										(42,343)	54,310	48,915
Restructuring (charges) recoveries										(132)	(52)	(140)
Impairment charges (recoveries)										(1,758)		35
Intersegment Eliminations | GES
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Total revenue										(3,680)	(20,741)	(17,140)
Intersegment Eliminations | Pursuit
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Total revenue										(317)	(1,686)	(1,551)
Corporate Eliminations
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Segment operating income	[1]									65	67	67
Corporate
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Segment operating income										(8,687)	(10,865)	(10,993)
Restructuring (charges) recoveries										(961)	(440)	10
North America | Operating Segments | GES
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Total revenue										288,921	884,105	866,187
Segment operating income										(56,446)	27,659	29,981
Restructuring (charges) recoveries										(3,825)	(6,157)	(408)
Impairment charges (recoveries)										(171,095)	(5,346)
EMEA | Operating Segments | GES
Reportable segments reconciliations:
Total revenue										53,384	216,559	202,990
Segment operating income										(17,451)	8,274	9,621
Restructuring (charges) recoveries										(8,522)	$ (1,731)	$ (1,049)
Impairment charges (recoveries)										$ (30,223)

[1] Corporate eliminations 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.

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Segment Information - Reconciliation of Assets from Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Reconciliation of assets from segment
Total Assets	$ 853,224	$ 1,318,691	$ 922,541
Total Depreciation and Amortization	56,565	58,964	56,842
Capital expenditures	53,567	76,147	83,345
GES | North America
Reconciliation of assets from segment
Total Assets	134,162	475,279	406,484
Total Depreciation and Amortization	24,022	29,321	30,855
Capital expenditures	9,003	19,099	19,263
GES | EMEA
Reconciliation of assets from segment
Total Assets	50,644	132,975	111,798
Total Depreciation and Amortization	4,053	6,260	7,071
Capital expenditures	1,388	7,098	7,065
Pursuit
Reconciliation of assets from segment
Total Assets	620,413	589,205	357,630
Total Depreciation and Amortization	28,393	23,154	18,690
Capital expenditures	43,176	49,934	56,865
Corporate and other
Reconciliation of assets from segment
Total Assets	48,005	121,232	46,629
Total Depreciation and Amortization	$ 97	229	226
Capital expenditures		$ 16	$ 152

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Segment Information - Financial Information by Major Geographic Area (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue:
Total revenue	$ 415,435	$ 1,302,736	$ 1,237,324
Long-lived assets:
Total long-lived assets	507,646	546,020	376,757
Domestic Plans
Revenue:
Total revenue	290,541	873,213	850,839
Long-lived assets:
Total long-lived assets	173,790	205,399	182,140
EMEA
Revenue:
Total revenue	56,656	218,404	202,990
Long-lived assets:
Total long-lived assets	56,996	63,582	48,553
CA
Revenue:
Total revenue	68,238	211,119	183,495
Long-lived assets:
Total long-lived assets	$ 276,860	$ 277,039	$ 146,064

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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, 2020		Sep. 30, 2020		Jun. 30, 2020		Mar. 31, 2020		Dec. 31, 2019		Sep. 30, 2019		Jun. 30, 2019		Mar. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2020		Dec. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018
Total revenue																		$ 415,435		$ 1,302,736		$ 1,237,324
Operating income (loss):
Ongoing operations	[1]	$ (50,274)		$ (6,765)		$ (49,736)		$ (9,400)		$ 141		$ 54,822		$ 46,442		$ (11,236)
Business interruption gain														141						141		602
Legal settlement																(8,500)				(8,500)
Business interruption gain														141						141		602
Corporate activities		(2,785)		(2,645)		(2,468)		(789)		(3,070)		(2,680)		(3,282)		(1,833)
Interest income		64		58		176		79		109		79		83		98		377		369		354
Interest expense		(3,552)		(5,508)		(5,186)		(4,018)		(4,587)		(3,740)		(2,957)		(2,915)		(18,264)		(14,199)		(9,640)
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal						(462)				(185)				(15,508)				(462)		(15,693)
Other expense		(238)		(210)		(265)		(419)		(394)		(281)		(456)		(455)		(1,132)		(1,586)		(1,744)
Restructuring (charges) recoveries		(1,070)		(11,259)		(260)		(851)		(1,535)		(1,702)		(4,455)		(688)		(13,440)		(8,380)		(1,587)
Legal settlement																(8,500)				(8,500)
Impairment charges				(676)		(114,020)		(88,380)		(5,346)								(203,076)		(5,346)		35
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		(57,855)		(27,005)		(172,221)		(103,778)		(14,867)		46,498		20,008		(25,529)		(360,859)		26,110		65,009
Income (loss) from continuing operations		(50,448)		(29,769)		(205,899)		(86,131)		(5,315)		31,557		13,364		(17,490)		(372,247)		22,116		47,689
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad (diluted)		$ (50,473)		$ (30,758)		$ (206,278)		$ (86,585)		$ (5,428)		$ 31,416		$ 13,824		$ (17,777)		$ (374,094)		$ 22,035		$ 49,170
Diluted income (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders		$ (2.57)	[2]	$ (1.54)	[2]	$ (10.17)	[2]	$ (4.27)	[2]	$ (0.30)	[2]	$ 1.54	[2]	$ 0.65	[2]	$ (0.88)	[2]	$ (18.55)		$ 1.02		$ 2.33
Diluted income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders		$ (2.58)	[2]	$ (1.59)	[2]	$ (10.19)	[2]	$ (4.29)	[2]	$ (0.31)	[2]	$ 1.53	[2]	$ 0.67	[2]	$ (0.89)	[2]	$ (18.64)	[3]	$ 1.02	[3]	$ 2.40	[3]
Previously Reported
Total revenue				$ 63,072		$ 30,863		$ 306,008		$ 321,334		$ 353,743		$ 402,279		$ 285,594
Gross to net correction
Total revenue	[4]			(265)		(796)		(11,350)		(20,593)		(1,234)		(25,815)		(12,572)
As Corrected
Total revenue		$ 27,903		$ 62,807		$ 30,067		$ 294,658		$ 300,741		$ 352,509		$ 376,464		$ 273,022

[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.

[3] Diluted loss per share amount cannot exceed basic loss per share.

[4] The quarterly financial data for the four quarters of 2019 and the first three quarters of 2020 were adjusted for immaterial errors related to the recognition of revenue of GES’ Corporate Accounts’ third-party services. Refer to Note 1 – Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for additional information. The Company intends to correct for these errors prospectively in subsequent quarterly filings.

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Subsequent Events - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Jan. 25, 2021 USD ($)
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of warehouse	$ 14

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Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Allowances for doubtful accounts
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of Year		$ 1,200	$ 1,288	$ 2,023
Additions Charged to Expense		6,712	1,050	414
Additions Charged to Other Accounts		17	45	39
Write Offs		(2,628)	(1,182)	(1,170)
Other	[1]	9	(1)	(18)
Balance at end of Year		5,310	1,200	1,288
Deferred tax valuation allowance
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of Year		4,276	3,356	4,010
Additions Charged to Expense		77,369	884	1,230
Write Offs				(1,851)
Other	[1]	150	36	(33)
Balance at end of Year		$ 81,795	$ 4,276	$ 3,356

[1] “Other” primarily includes foreign exchange translation adjustments.