Despite the news cycles, the show must go on.
2025 has given the industry a macro-political climate that is tense, changing, and unpredictable. Despite this, events are still being planned and executed. According to our latest conversations with event planners worldwide, nearly three-quarters of planners say global events are influencing their work, but very few are canceling outright.
The current buzz has led to planners spending more time separating news from actual conditions in the destinations they recommend. Rather than reacting to media cycles, planners are focused on managing perception and staying ahead of client concerns. But many note this isn’t new; it's simply a more visible part of a long-standing playbook.
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Quote from the Tribe:
“The headlines aren’t canceling contracts, but they are shaping the conversations we have before we sign them.”
- United States-based planner, 12 events per year
Commercial Takeaway:
Anticipate the questions planners aren’t yet asking. Build event support materials with political and social context in mind. In this climate, planners are selecting properties that help them build a case for stability and safety with their clients.
About the MODIV Tribes Series
Since 2022, MODIV’s always-on Mindset® study has engaged more than 48,000 frequent travelers across 25 countries. Our mission: decode the why behind traveler behavior—so travel and hospitality brands can act smarter, faster, and with greater commercial precision.
Our Tribes series distills what hospitality leaders need to know—direct from the source. Each quarter, we engage Business Travelers, Luxury Travelers, Zillennials, and Meeting Planners through our proprietary Mindset® study, then translate what we hear into strategic insights you can use.
This isn't one-and-done research. Each quarter, we go back to a tribe to test sharper questions based on what you tell us you need to know. Got a question you want answered? We invite you to add your voice in the comments or reach out directly.
About the Event Planner Tribe
This study draws on insights from a blended qualitative and quantitative session with 28 event planners from six countries who plan two or more events per year, requiring 50 or fewer peak nights.
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