Sailing Through Choppy Political Waters: The Savvy Event Planner's Guide to 2026

Sailing Through Choppy Political Waters: The Savvy Event Planner's Guide to 2026

Hey there, event industry rockstars! ✨ 

Let's face it – planning amazing experiences in today's climate requires more than just knowing the perfect appetizer pairings or how to negotiate with venues (though those skills are still 100% essential). Today's successful event planners need to be part diplomat, part crisis communicator, and part advocate for our attendees' wellbeing.

The Reality We're Working With

We're living in complicated times, friends. The anxiety level in our industry is higher than your coffee intake on event day, and that's saying something! Between tariff impacts, declining international attendance, and genuine safety concerns from many of our attendees, we need to address these challenges head-on with both strategy and heart.

The International Attendance Drop

Remember when your biggest registration concern was whether people would commit by the early bird deadline? Those were simpler days!

Now we're seeing:

  • Significant drops in international attendance to U.S. events, particularly from key markets
  • Tariff-related costs affecting everything from AV equipment to swag budgets
  • Attendees from various backgrounds expressing genuine fear about travel safety
  • LGBTQ+ attendees, women traveling alone, and people of color requesting additional safety information before committing

Pro Tip: Don't ignore these concerns or dismiss them as "political." These are real barriers affecting your registration numbers and attendee experience. Address them directly.

The CVB Conversation You Need to Have

Here's where your relationship with Convention & Visitors Bureaus becomes crucial. Before you pitch a destination to your client, have real conversations with CVBs about:

  • What specific protections or resources exist for vulnerable populations in their city
  • Local policies and the actual climate for LGBTQ+ visitors, women, and people of color
  • Whether local law enforcement has clear policies protecting all attendees
  • What support systems are in place if attendees face discrimination or safety issues

The good CVBs are already preparing answers to these questions. If a CVB seems surprised or dismissive when you ask, that tells you something important about whether that destination is right for your event.

Location Decisions Are More Complex Than Ever

Choosing where to host your event used to be about convenience, amenities, and that gorgeous view. Now it's become a decision with real implications for who will feel safe enough to attend.

Some approaches that are working:

  • Be transparent with clients about attendance risks in certain locations
  • Provide attendees with clear, specific safety information and resources
  • Consider destinations that have explicitly welcoming track records and policies
  • Research recent incidents and local climate beyond what's in the destination's marketing materials

We Need Each Other More Than Ever

What gives me hope is that event planners are supporting each other like never before. We're sharing information, warning each other about problematic situations, and lifting each other up when clients don't understand why we can't just "ignore politics."

Ways we can support each other:

  • Share honest intel about destination experiences
  • Connect with other planners who've navigated similar challenges
  • Advocate together for our attendees' safety and dignity
  • Remember that choosing not to address these concerns is itself a choice that affects people

Creating Spaces That Welcome Everyone

Your event might bring together people with vastly different experiences of safety and belonging in our current climate. This is both a challenge and an opportunity to shine!

Try these approaches:

  • Proactively communicate safety resources and inclusive policies
  • Partner with local organizations that support vulnerable communities
  • Train your staff on how to respond to incidents with care
  • Create clear reporting mechanisms if attendees experience discrimination
  • Consider carefully which voices and perspectives are represented in your programming

The Hard Truth (And the Hopeful One)

The hard truth: Some of your attendees are genuinely afraid. Some are exhausted. Some are considering leaving the industry or avoiding travel altogether.

The hopeful truth: Skilled event planners have always been masters of creating safe spaces, fostering connection, and solving impossible problems with creativity and care. These are exactly the skills our industry needs right now.

By thoughtfully navigating today's landscape, you're not just planning events – you're creating spaces where people can gather safely, where connections still happen, and where we prove that bringing people together still matters.

Your Toolkit for 2026

  1. Stay informed – know what's affecting your attendees' sense of safety
  2. Ask hard questions – of destinations, vendors, and yourself
  3. Communicate proactively – don't make attendees guess about safety measures
  4. Build your network – connect with other planners navigating similar waters
  5. Advocate loudly – for your attendees, your colleagues, and yourself
  6. Take care of YOU – this is heavy work, and you matter too

Let's Talk!

I'd love to hear your experiences navigating these challenges in your event planning process. What conversations have you had with CVBs? How are you supporting attendees who are anxious about travel? Share your stories in the comments or email me directly.

Remember: In a world where gathering feels harder and riskier for many people, creating welcoming, safe events is more important than ever. You've got this – and OmniEra is here to support you every step of the way!

Until next time, keep making magic happen – and keep taking care of each other! ✨

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