In an industry built on trust, the most damaging disruption may never occur in a ballroom, exhibit hall or resort meeting room. It may arrive through a seemingly ordinary email.

In a world where geopolitical threats may be unavoidable, the meetings industry is proving that risk does not have to be a barrier to global connection. Instead, it can be a catalyst for smarter planning, stronger partnerships and more meaningful experiences.

Safeguarding attendees has always been the highest priority for meeting planners, but protecting the planet from event waste and fallout has grown into a massive emphasis of its own. How can planners focus on these key goals while also juggling the endless additional logistics of making their big functions run seamlessly?

Due to recent security situations at corporate gatherings, corporate meeting and event planners are joining the throngs of businesses who have safety and security at the top of their “to improve list.”

In an age where technology controls many facets of a business, attention to cybersecurity is becoming paramount as meeting planners recognize how technological breaches can rob corporations and meeting attendees of vital intangible assets.

How corporations and their meeting planners are evaluating their global meetings and events strategies.

Planning for contingencies, no matter how rare, is vital for the safety and security of attendees and for the bottom line of the corporations hosting these events.

As a result of surging crime nationally and globally, security costs for events may be higher as organizers may need to hire additional security personnel or take other precautions to ensure the safety of attendees.

In an age when technology controls many facets of a business, attention to cybersecurity is becoming paramount.

Experts also agree that not recognizing a crisis in its early stages is the most common mistake meeting and event planners make.