Crisis as the New Normal for Global Meetings

Boardroom: You have said that resilience can no longer be treated as a separate skill. What do you mean by that?

Ori Lahav: Resilience has to shift from being a skill set to being almost like a brain muscle. It has to become automatic. You do not stop and think about how to walk; you just do it. I think it is the same in our industry today. Change is constant. We have gone from one disruption to another for years now, whether that is COVID, war, economic pressure or sudden policy shifts. Crisis is no longer the exception. It has become part of the normal operating environment. That means organizers need plans, communication methods and decision-making structures that are ready to activate immediately, without hesitation.

Boardroom: When disruption begins to affect an event, what is usually the first concern you hear from clients?

Ori Lahav: The first reaction is usually very direct: how will this affect my congress, my event, my association, my members? Can people still travel? Can they still fly? Will participation be affected? That anxiety is understandable. Our role is to make sure clients feel that the situation is being monitored, that there is a plan in place and that we are already thinking through possible outcomes. The key is to build confidence. That comes from proactive communication and from showing clients that you are in control of the process, even when the environment itself is uncertain.

Boardroom: How do you communicate in those moments without becoming drawn into the politics of a situation?

Ori Lahav: We stay neutral. We are not there to take sides; we are there to reflect the situation and manage its impact on the event. Communication is the first thing we focus on. We do not wait for clients to come to us with questions. We try to be proactive. We sit down internally, agree on the messages we need to convey, explain what is under control, what we are monitoring and what contingency plans are in place. Then we communicate that clearly. This is something we have practiced and improved over time, because this is the reality in which we operate.

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