The “Global Socio-Political Impact Survey of 2025” has been issued by IAPCO and its National PCO Association Task Force members and global strategic partners.

It paints a bleak picture of the impact of global unrest on the events sector.

Sixty per cent of survey respondents reported global conflicts have impacted their ability to plan or host international meetings and events.

Worryingly, 25 per cent have had to cancel, postpone or relocate events due to safety concerns and instability.

“The report reveals 57 per cent of respondents had between one and 10 of their clients’ venues impacted by global unrest, with 5.95 per cent reporting this number was between 11 and 20,” says Martin Boyle, CEO, IAPCO.

“To put this into context, in 2024 alone, IAPCO members delivered 19,469 events globally – we are talking about vast numbers of conferences that have been disrupted.”

Boyle points out that financial costs form these cancellations are increasing.

“More than one-quarter of respondents said they had experienced losses of up to €50,000 ($87,000) and 14.64 per cent experienced losses greater than €150,000 ($261,000),” he says.

Boyle says as IAPCO members brace for further impacts, they are well placed to deliver their events despite challenging circumstances.

“IAPCO members are at the top of their game,” he says.

“While these challenges are biting, members are leaning on each other to innovate and work together for the benefit of their clients.

“The power of our global community has never been more important.”

Photo at top: iStock/Kasto80.