News
PORTUGAL – GLOBAL CONFLICTS ARE AFFECTING INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS, SAYS IAPCO REPORT
A new study from IAPCO quantifies the impact of global turmoil on the meetings industry over the past two years.
According to the 2025 Global Socio-Political Impact Survey, published by the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), two-thirds of respondents (59.53%) said global conflicts have affected their ability to plan or host international meetings or events—either moderately (45.24%) or significantly (14.29%).
The study, conducted in collaboration with members of the National PCO Association task force and global strategic partners, also reports that 25% of respondents had to cancel, postpone, or relocate events due to safety and stability concerns.
The survey was distributed to members in April to assess the impact of global unrest, political shifts, and armed conflicts over the past two years on the international meetings and conference industry. And for Martin Boyle, CEO of IAPCO, the results are clear: the current situation is affecting organizers, venues, travel, and the way delegates meet, learn, share knowledge, and conduct business.
“The report revealed that 57.14% of respondents had between 1 and 10 client venues impacted by global unrest, while 5.95% reported that the number ranged between 11 and 20. To put this into context, in 2024 alone, IAPCO members organized 19,469 events worldwide—we’re talking about a significant number of disrupted conferences,” said Martin Boyle in a press release.
He added that financial costs are rising. “More than a quarter of respondents (26.83%) reported losses of up to €50,000, while 14.64% experienced losses exceeding €150,000,” he stated, noting that “the results paint a clear picture of a sector navigating multifaceted pressures, from operational logistics to stakeholder confidence and financial viability.”
“The findings reinforce the need for continued adaptability, contingency planning, and improved collaboration across the global meetings and events community,” emphasized Martin Boyle.
The IAPCO CEO noted that members are preparing for further impacts and are well-positioned to overcome complex and challenging circumstances. “IAPCO members are at the top of their game. Despite the challenges, members are leaning on one another to innovate and work together for the benefit of their clients. The power of our global community has never been more important,” he concluded.