Pursuit Attractions & Hospitality, Inc. (PRSU) FY 2023 MD&A

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

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“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 2023 Form 10-K.

Overview

We are a leading provider of extraordinary experiences, including hospitality and leisure activities, experiential marketing, and live events. We operate through three reportable segments: Pursuit, Spiro, and GES Exhibitions. Spiro and GES Exhibitions are both live event businesses and are referred to collectively as “GES.”

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Results of Operations

A discussion related to our results of operations for 2023 compared to 2022 is presented below. A discussion related to our results of operations for 2022 compared to 2021 can be found in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Financial Highlights

(1)
Refer to Note 24 – Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2023 Form 10-K) for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure, segment operating income, to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

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Total revenue increased $111.4 million, primarily due to increased revenue at GES of $60.4 million attributable to improved demand for exhibition management and experiential marketing services, offset in part by the sale of substantially all of the assets of GES’ United States audio-visual production business, ON Services, in December of 2022, which contributed revenue of $50.9 million during 2022, and negative show rotation of approximately $23 million. Pursuit revenue increased $51.0 million, which was driven primarily by stronger international visitation.

•
Net income attributable to Viad decreased $7.2 million, primarily due to a pre-tax gain on sale of ON Services of $19.6 million in 2022 as well as higher interest expense, net, of $13.1 million and higher income tax expense of $8.8 million, offset in part by higher segment operating income.

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Segment operating income increased $39.5 million, primarily due to higher revenue at GES and Pursuit.

Analysis of Revenue and Operating Results by Reportable Segment

Pursuit

The following table presents a comparison of Pursuit’s reported revenue and segment operating income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

** Change is greater than +/- 100%

(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 2023 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)
Refer to Note 24 – Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2023 Form 10-K) for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure, segment operating income, to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

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Pursuit revenue increased $51.0 million primarily due to increases in attractions revenue of $36.9 million and hospitality revenue of $13.7 million. The growth in attractions revenue was driven primarily by stronger international tourism to Western Canada and Iceland, as well as higher revenue per attraction visitor of 2.7%. The growth in hospitality revenue was driven primarily by revenue management efforts to drive stronger Revenue per Available Room (“RevPAR”) and increased guest demand in Western Canada, as well as higher ancillary revenue and an increase in room nights available of 3.9% with the addition of the Forest Park Alpine Hotel, which opened in August 2022.

Pursuit segment operating income increased $29.4 million primarily due to the increase in revenue, offset in part by the increase in operating costs to support higher business volume during 2023.

Performance Measures

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

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

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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.

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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:

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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.

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Average Daily Rate (“ADR”). 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.

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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 key performance indicators:

(1)
New experiences comprise the following attraction and lodging property that were opened or acquired after January 1, 2022: the Glacier Raft Company (acquired April 2022) and Forest Park Alpine Hotel (opened August 2022).

(2)
Same-Store metrics include only attractions and lodging properties that Pursuit operated at full capacity, considering seasonal closures, for the entirety of both periods presented. For experiences located outside the United States, financial metric comparisons to the prior year are expressed on a constant U.S. dollar basis.

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(3)
Foreign exchange rate variance effects (or “FX Impact”) represents the adjustments necessary to express prior financial metrics on a constant U.S. dollar basis, using the current year quarterly average exchange rates for previous periods to eliminate the impact of changes in exchange rates for same-store Pursuit experiences located outside of the United States.

Attractions. The increase in number of attractions visitors during 2023 was primarily driven by strengthening international tourism to Western Canada and Iceland. The increase in same-store effective ticket price during 2023 was driven by revenue management efforts.

Attractions ticket revenue on a same-store basis increased $30.9 million on a 21.1% increase in visitors and a 5.8% increase in effective ticket price during 2023.

Hospitality. The increase in room nights available during 2023 was primarily driven by the addition of the Forest Park Hotel, which opened in August 2022. The increase in RevPAR during 2023 was due to increases in ADR and occupancy primarily driven by revenue management efforts and increased guest demand in Western Canada.

During 2023, rooms revenue on a same-store basis increased $6.5 million on a 9.1% increase in RevPAR and a 0.2% decrease in room nights available.

GES

The following table presents a comparison of GES’ reported revenue and segment operating income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

(1)
Refer to Note 24 – Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2023 Form 10-K) for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure, segment operating income, to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Spiro revenue increased $5.5 million primarily due to increased spending by existing clients and revenue from new clients and positive show rotation of approximately $7 million, offset in part by the sale of substantially all of the assets of ON Services in December of 2022, which contributed revenue of $27.6 million during 2022.

GES Exhibitions revenue increased $56.5 million, primarily due to same-show revenue growth of 18.6% and new event wins, offset in part by negative show rotation of approximately $30 million and the sale of substantially all of the assets of ON Services in December of 2022, which contributed revenue of $23.2 million during 2022.

Spiro segment operating income increased $0.6 million primarily due to the increase in revenue, offset in part by the ongoing investment in staff to support growth.

GES Exhibitions segment operating income increased $9.6 million, primarily due to the increase in revenue, offset in part by the restaffing of the workforce from pandemic levels.

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Other Expenses

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

Gain on sale of ON Services – On December 15, 2022, we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of ON Services. We recognized a gain on sale of approximately $19.6 million in 2022, which was adjusted downward by $0.2 million in 2023.

Interest Expense, net – The increase in interest expense was primarily due to higher interest rates in 2023.

Restructuring Charges – Restructuring charges during 2023 and 2022 were primarily related to our 2022 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.

Income Tax Expense – The effective income tax rates were 43.6% for 2023 and 28.8% for 2022. We generated higher income in 2023 than 2022 in our tax jurisdictions without a valuation allowance and were not able to recognize a benefit on losses in our jurisdictions with a valuation allowance.

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations – The loss from discontinued operations during 2023 was primarily due to legal matters related to previously sold operations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We believe that our existing sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund operations and projected capital outlays for at least the next 12 months and the longer term.

When assessing our current sources of liquidity, we include the following:

(1)
As of December 31, 2023, we held $50.4 million of our cash and cash equivalents outside of the United States.

(2)
As of December 31, 2023, the available capacity includes our total Revolving Credit Facility size of $170 million less $57 million of outstanding borrowings and $5.0 million in outstanding letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2022, the available capacity included our total Revolving Credit Facility size of $100 million less $13.3 million in outstanding letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Cash provided by operating activities, supplemented by our existing cash and cash equivalents, is our primary source of liquidity for funding our business requirements. During the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash provided by operating activities was $104.7 million.

Our short-term and long-term funding requirements include debt obligations, maintenance capital expenditures, working capital requirements, and potential acquisitions and strategic investments as we focus on scaling Pursuit with investments in high-return unforgettable, inspiring experiences through its Refresh, Build, Buy growth strategy. Our projected capital outlays can be adjusted for changes in the operating environment.

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Debt Obligations

Effective July 30, 2021, we entered into the 2021 Credit Facility. The 2021 Credit Facility provided for a $400 million Term Loan B, with a maturity date of July 30, 2028, and a $100 million Revolving Credit Facility, with a maturity date of July 30, 2026. The proceeds of the Term Loan B, net of $14.8 million in related fees, were used to repay the $327 million outstanding balance under our prior $450 million revolving credit facility and to provide for financial flexibility to fund future acquisitions and growth initiatives and for general corporate purposes. On January 4, 2023, we entered into an interest rate cap agreement with an effective date of January 31, 2023. The interest rate cap manages our exposure to interest rate increases on $300 million in borrowings under the 2021 Credit Facility or other Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) based borrowings. Refer to Note 13 – Derivative of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2023 Form 10-K) for additional information.

The Revolving Credit Facility carries financial covenants. On March 28, 2023, we entered into the Second Amendment to the 2021 Credit Facility, which modified the interest coverage financial covenant. On October 6, 2023, we entered into the Third Amendment to the 2021 Credit Facility, which among other things, increased the principal amount of the Revolving Credit Facility by $70 million, bringing the total amount of revolving capacity to $170 million. In connection with the Third Amendment, we prepaid $70 million of the outstanding balance on our existing Term Loan B using $60 million from the Revolving Credit Facility and $10 million of cash from the Company’s balance sheet. The current credit spread on our Revolving Credit Facility is 200 basis points lower than the credit spread on the Term Loan B, which is 5.00% for SOFR borrowings. As of December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Revolving Credit Facility. Refer to Note 12 – Debt and Finance Obligations of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2023 Form 10-K) for additional information.

Capital Expenditures

As of December 31, 2023, we have planned capital expenditures of approximately $65 million to $70 million for 2024, including approximately $20 million on select growth projects, such as the completion of FlyOver Chicago. We intend to continue making selective investments to advance Pursuit’s Refresh, Build, Buy growth strategy while maintaining a solid liquidity position.

Other Obligations

We have additional obligations as part of our ordinary course of business, beyond those committed for debt obligations and capital expenditures. Refer to Note 21 – Leases and Other and Note 19 – Pension and Postretirement Benefits of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2023 Form 10-K) for further information. The expected timing of payments of our obligations is estimated based on current information. Timing of payments and actual amounts paid may be different, depending on changes to agreed-upon amounts for certain obligations.

Cash Flows

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $31.2 million primarily due to improved segment operating results at Pursuit and GES and improved working capital.

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Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities increased $11.6 million primarily due to proceeds from the sale of ON Services of $28.9 million in 2022 and an increase in capital expenditures in 2023, offset in part by cash paid for the Glacier Raft Company acquisition in April of 2022 of $25.5 million.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities increased $30.0 million primarily due to net debt payments of $22.5 million during 2023 compared to net debt proceeds from borrowings of $4.1 million during 2022.

Debt and Finance Obligations

Refer to Note 12 – Debt and Finance Obligations of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2023 Form 10-K) for further discussion all of which is incorporated by reference herein.

Guarantees

Refer to Note 22 – Litigation, Claims, Contingencies, and Other of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2023 Form 10-K) for further discussion all of which is incorporated by reference herein.

Share Repurchases

Our Board of Directors previously authorized us to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices. As of December 31, 2023, 546,283 shares remained available for repurchase under all prior authorizations. In March 2020, our Board of Directors suspended our share repurchase program. 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 Estimates

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). We are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect our reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. Critical accounting estimates are those estimates 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 estimates and the methodology and disclosures related to those estimates:

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.

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

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. Our goodwill balance was $123.9 million as of December 31, 2023 and $121.4 million as of December 31, 2022 and pertained to our Pursuit business. The discount rates used in our most recent impairment analysis ranged from 12% to 16%.

Pursuit’s goodwill was assigned to, and tested at, the reporting unit level. The results of our most recent impairment analysis performed as of October 31, 2023, indicated that no impairment existed for Pursuit’s reporting units with reported goodwill. The excess of the estimated fair value over the carrying value for the Banff Jasper Collection and the Alaska Collection was significant, Glacier Park Collection was 3%, and FlyOver was 5%. We will continue to closely monitor actual results versus expectations as well as whether and to what extent any significant changes in current events or conditions result in corresponding changes to our expectations about future estimated cash flows and discount rates. If our adjusted expectations of the operating results of our reporting units do not materialize, or the discount rate increases (based on increases in interest rates, market rates of return or market volatility), it is possible that we may be required to record goodwill impairment charges in the future, which may be material.

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 $119.9 million as of December 31, 2023 and $110.8 million as of December 31, 2022. We had a valuation allowance against gross deferred tax assets of $105.4 million as of December 31, 2023 and $101.6 million as of December 31, 2022.

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/benefit 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.

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Pension and postretirement benefits — Our pension plans use traditional defined benefit formulas based on years of service and final average compensation. Funding policies provide that payments to defined benefit pension trusts shall be at least equal to the minimum funding required by applicable regulations. We presently anticipate contributing $0.8 million to our funded pension plans and $0.8 million to our unfunded pension plans in 2024.

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 $0.7 million to the plans in 2024.

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 19 – Pension and Postretirement Benefits of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2023 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 $11.5 million in 2023, $10.2 million in 2022, and $7.7 million in 2021. We recorded total tax benefits related to such costs of $0.2 million in 2023 and $0.1 million in 2022 and 2021. No share-based compensation costs were capitalized during 2023, 2022, or 2021.

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 awards to be achieved related to a performance condition is updated each reporting period based on the number of units expected to vest. The fair value of share-based awards that contain a performance goal based on a market condition such as total shareholder return is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation. 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 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. The fair value of share-based awards that contain a performance goal based on a market condition such as total shareholder return is estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation. 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.

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 2023 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 2023 Form 10-K) for further information.

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Non-GAAP Measure

In addition to disclosing financial results that are determined in accordance with GAAP, we also disclose segment operating income (loss) as a non-GAAP financial measure. Our use of segment operating income (loss) 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, segment operating income (loss) may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. We believe that our use of segment operating income (loss) provides useful information to investors regarding our results of operations for trending, analyzing, and benchmarking our performance and the value of our business.

“Segment operating income (loss)” is “net income (loss) attributable to Viad” before income (loss) from discontinued operations, corporate activities, net interest expense, income taxes, gains or losses from sales of businesses, restructuring charges, impairment charges, and certain other corporate expenses and charges that are not allocated to the reportable segments, and the reduction for income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests. 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 24 – Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this 2023 Form 10-K) for a reconciliation of segment operating income (loss) to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes.

We believe segment operating income (loss) is a useful operating metric as it eliminates potential variations arising from taxes, debt service costs, impairment charges, restructuring charges, strategic dispositions, the reduction of income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests, and the effects of discontinued operations, resulting in an additional measure considered to be indicative of our ongoing operations and segment performance. Although we use segment operating income (loss) to assess the performance of our business, the use of this measure is limited because this measure does not consider material costs, expenses, and other items necessary to operate, or resulting from, our business. As segment operating income (loss) does 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.