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WORLDWIDE – THE IMPACT OF GLOBAL INSTABILITY ON CONGRESSES IS ALREADY VERY REAL, ACCORDING TO IAPCO
I believe no one needs to be reminded of just how complex, unpredictable, and fast-changing the international situation has become. Its impact is felt in inflation, trade, international mobility, air transport, and, in general, the ability to forecast economic scenarios with any degree of stability. Now, a report from IAPCO warns of how conflicts, political shifts, and geopolitical tensions are also affecting the meetings and conferences industry.
Geopolitics is clearly part of international congress planning. Conflicts, political shifts, visa issues, travel disruptions, and rising costs are increasingly influencing the choice of destinations, attendance, and the capacity to organize international meetings.
This is highlighted in the Global Socio-Political Impact Survey 2026, conducted by the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) alongside AIPC, AMC Institute, ICCA, IFES, and PCMA. The study gathers responses from 130 organizations worldwide and shows a clear increase in the pressure exerted on the sector by the international context.
The most significant data point: 73.8% of respondents state that global conflicts have affected their ability to plan or host international meetings, compared to 53.9% recorded in 2025. That is a nearly 20-point increase compared to last year.
An already real impact: more disruptions and rising costs The report notes that 65.4% of respondents have experienced travel disruptions affecting clients and participants, up from 41.7% the previous year. We can also observe a drop in international participation, with 58.5% reporting a decline in attendance or involvement from international companies.
Added to this is the increase in costs. Almost half of the professionals point to an increase in internal costs, and 48.5% also state that costs have risen for clients and participants. The pressure extends to all phases of the event: planning, budgeting, risk management, security, international mobility…
Destinations under scrutiny The choice of destination has also become more sensitive. According to IAPCO, 33.1% of respondents have had to cancel, postpone, or relocate events, or withdraw planned participation due to security concerns or regional instability.
The report also shows how the criteria for evaluating destinations have shifted. 42.3% of respondents state that there is a trend toward locations perceived as more stable, moving away from countries in conflict. Safety and trust weigh heavier and heavier in the decision-making process, whereas previously, choices were driven by connectivity, infrastructure, hotel availability, or the overall destination experience.
Political decisions also carry weight. The report points out that measures adopted by the United States Government in 2025 and 2026 are already affecting the organization of events scheduled for the coming years. Among the main challenges are funding cuts, which restrict travel, and visa and immigration policies, which can significantly complicate the attendance of international participants, speakers, and teams.
The role of PCOs For IAPCO, this environment increasingly reinforces the role of PCOs (Professional Congress Organizers). Its president, Sissi Lygnou, reminds us that conferences are spaces where knowledge is shared, research advances, and professional relationships are built.
Martin Boyle, CEO of IAPCO, notes that PCOs are taking on an increasingly strategic role—anticipating unexpected events, advising on destinations, managing budgets, ensuring participant safety, and supporting decision-making.
The report arrives at a time of strong activity for the association. In 2025, PCOs accredited by IAPCO organized 24,000 meetings and events worldwide, managed around 8 million participants across 187 offices, and generated an impact of 17.36 billion euros.