According to a new survey by the IAPCO (Institutional Association of Organizers of International Specialist Conferences), nearly 60% of organizers said that global anxiety had an impact on their ability to plan or deliver international events.
The World Socio-Political Impact Survey 2025, published in April by IAPCO and its National PCO Association Task Force, discovered:
45.24% of respondents were moderately affected by 14.29%, significantly affected the impact of 25% who canceled, postponed or moved events due to instability.
“The report revealed that 57.14% of respondents have 1-10% of client venues affected by global anxiety. This number is between 11-20. Put this in context, in 2024 alone, IAPCO members delivered an event of 19,469 people worldwide.
Economic impact is important
26.83% fell by 150,000 euros at up to 50,000 euros
The report also found that over half of respondents affected 1-10 client venues. Just under 6% reported confusion at up to 20 venues.
Boyle said organizers face “multi-faceted pressures” from logistics to trusting stakeholders. He sought stronger collaboration and emergency planning.
Despite the growing challenges, he said IAPCO members are “suitable to deliver” because of their global connections and robust quality processes. He also said IAPCO members were protecting further influence, particularly with the Trump administration’s freeze on scholars and researchers attending conferences (French scholars were denied entry to the United States due to critical comments about the president).
“The members of IAPCO are at the top of the game. These challenges are biting, but the members are leaning against each other to innovate,” Boyle said.
Download the full report here
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