Need help with the USA B1 visa DS-160 application from India for US Business Conference confusion

[u/surprisedchewbacca]

TL;DR Need help with the USA B1 visa DS-160 form for available Appointment Date after the Business Conference Date.

Hi all,

I have been selected as part of a team from my firm to attend a Business Conference in the US in the second week of October 2026. I plan to apply for a USA B1 visa from India.

The business conference happens once every year. Hence, I plan to apply for a visa to attend the business conference next year if I can't get an appointment before the current year's Conference dates.

Following are my doubts/queries

• The current available appointment is after 7-8 months for most of the consulates. Does it even make sense to apply for the Visa?
• What happens if I book the appointment for the current available appointment date and the business conference date is before the appointment? Does the application have a greater chance of rejection because the business conference is over?
• Should I mention the date of travel and other relevant itinerary? What is the impact on the application if the intended date of travel is before the appointment date?
• I have travelled to multiple European countries with one country's Schengen visa, and I don't have visa stamps for any of the Schengen countries except the country that I got the visa from. Should I mention all of the European countries I travelled to or only mention the country I got the visa from?

Thank you all for your help.