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.