What Global Unrest Means for Associations and the Future of Meetings

In today’s volatile climate, associations are confronting a new reality: international events are no longer immune to global disruption. They are central to it.

Geopolitical unrest, shifting policy landscapes, and rising polarisation are redefining how, where, and even why, associations meet. That is the clear message from the 2025 Global Socio-Political Impact Survey, conducted by IAPCO in collaboration with IFES, AIPC, and the AMC Institute. The research provides a snapshot of how international meetings are being impacted by today’s socio-political climate, and what it means for associations as they plan for the future.

Nearly 60% of respondents said global conflicts have moderately or significantly disrupted their ability to plan or deliver international meetings. From visa delays and travel disruptions to venue cancellations and declining delegate confidence, the consequences are already affecting association missions, member engagement, and advocacy efforts.

As IAPCO President, Sissi Lignou (pictured on the right), explains: “This is about more than logistics. These challenges strike at the heart of why associations gather.” For many organisations, meetings are not just operational touchpoints, they are crucial to advancing knowledge, building community, and driving impact.

The financial toll is mounting too. Over one-quarter of respondents reported losses up to €50,000 per event; nearly 15% cited losses over €150,000. Almost half of all respondents noted they are re-evaluating their preferred destinations, shifting away from cities affected by instability, and instead prioritising political neutrality, inclusivity, and alignment with their organisational values. IAPCO CEO, Martin Boyle (pictured on the left), says, “We are seeing long-held strategies being re-evaluated. Associations are asking: does this destination reflect our mission? Will our members feel safe and welcome? Will our message resonate in this environment?”

The survey also revealed growing concern around changes to government policy. In the United States, sweeping reforms, including the cancellation of research funding and international travel restrictions, are directly affecting scientific and academic participation in global events. Almost half of respondents said these developments have already disrupted their events, with others bracing for further impact.

The risk is clear: if association meetings cannot bring together the full diversity of their communities, especially experts, researchers, and thought leaders, then their ability to foster innovation and influence policy is compromised. Fields such as global health, climate action, and democracy promotion rely on robust, crossborder collaboration. Restrictions that limit participation, ultimately limit progress.

Despite these challenges, the survey also highlights the resilience and adaptability of the professional meetings community. IAPCO-accredited PCOs are equipping associations with tools and strategies to meet this moment, and maintain momentum: scenario planning, stakeholder engagement, risk mitigation, values-based destination selection, and data-informed decision making.

“In uncertain times, events must be designed with clarity of purpose and trusted partnerships,” says Lignou. "That is how associations continue to lead.” She emphasises that PCOs are not just logistics providers, they are strategic partners, helping associations navigate complexity with confidence.

This need for deeper alignment echoes the findings of The Hague & ESAE’s Geopolitical Instability White Papers, which also cited IAPCO’s research. As both studies show, destination decisions are no longer purely operational, they are reputational. Today, associations must consider not just venue capacity or cost, but what a host city signals to members, stakeholders, and the broader public.

For association leaders, the implications are clear. Embedding geopolitical awareness into early-stage event planning is now best practice. Selecting destinations based on values as well as infrastructure can reduce exposure to political risk and support more inclusive, accessible, and safe participation. Partnering with experienced, accredited PCOs ensures not just quality delivery, but mission-aligned execution.
 

"The risk is clear: if association meetings cannot bring together the full diversity of their communities, especially experts, researchers, and thought leaders, then their ability to foster innovation and influence policy is compromised."

PCOs are also playing a critical role in restoring delegate confidence by communicating safety protocols, advising on travel assurance policies, and developing tailored incentives to support attendance.

Amid ongoing global uncertainty, IAPCO is not standing still. The association is leading proactive efforts to strengthen the industry’s collective resilience, from publishing white papers and policy briefs, to advocating with national tourism bodies, to cultivating strategic alliances with fellow global associations. These efforts ensure that the insights uncovered through research are not only shared, they are acted upon.

With foresight, flexibility, and the right partners, associations can continue to convene safely, inclusively, and with purpose. Even in an uncertain world, meetings remain one of the most powerful tools for advancing your mission.

The full IAPCO Global Socio-Political Impact Survey 2025 report is available here

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