Global conflict, policy change, and socio-political instability are having an escalating and measurable impact on the international meetings and conferences industry, according to findings from the 2026 Global Socio-Political Impact Survey, led by the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO).
Conducted in partnership with five leading global business events associations - AIPC, AMC Institute, ICCA, IFES, and PCMA - the survey gathered responses from 130 organisations worldwide. The results provide insight into how the current geopolitical environment is affecting events, destinations, participants, and Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs).
The findings show a significant increase in industry disruption compared with 2025, with 73.84 per cent of respondents saying global conflicts have impacted their ability to plan or host international meetings, up from 53.92 per cent in 2025.
This nearly 20 percentage-point increase indicates that global instability is no longer a background concern for the sector; it is now a central factor in conference planning, destination selection, risk management, and participation.
The research also found that 65.38 per cent of respondents experienced travel disruptions affecting clients and/or participants, up from 41.67 per cent in 2025, while 58.46 per cent reported reduced international attendance or participation. Almost half reported increased costs for their teams, and 48.46 per cent said costs had increased for clients and/or participants.
Sissi Lignou, President of IAPCO, said the findings demonstrate that geopolitical instability is no longer a peripheral challenge for the sector: “Conferences and meetings are where knowledge is shared, research is advanced, relationships are built, and industries move forward. These findings show that global socio-political instability is now directly affecting that essential exchange. IAPCO Accredited PCOs play a critical role in helping associations, destinations, and participants navigate this uncertainty with professionalism, agility, and care.”
The impact is already being felt across the event lifecycle. More than a third of respondents (33.07 per cent) said they have frequently or occasionally had to cancel, postpone, or relocate events, or withdraw planned participation due to safety concerns or regional instability. A further 42.31 per cent reported a shift away from destinations perceived as politically or regionally unstable, with respondents actively avoiding conflict-prone regions.
The survey also highlights the growing influence of government policy on future event planning.
Martin Boyle, CEO of IAPCO, said the research reinforces the critical role of IAPCO Accredited PCOs in supporting informed decision-making: “This research reflects the reality PCOs around the world are seeing every day. The meetings and conferences industry is operating in an increasingly complex environment, and the role of the Accredited PCO has never been more important.
From contingency planning and destination advice to stakeholder confidence, budget management, and participant safety, PCOs are helping clients adapt to changing global conditions while making informed decisions in a fast-changing world.”