Planning 2026 With Purpose, Not Panic

If you’ve read one more 2026 forecast and thought, “Okay, cool… but what do I actually do with this?” this episode is for you.

In this Coffee Chat, Eming Piansay breaks down three shifts that will realistically impact planners heading into 2026: meeting space compression, international travel perception and accelerating vendor mergers. No panic. No headlines. Just practical strategy.

You’ll walk away with three actions you can implement immediately and a simple Monday morning checklist to protect your timeline, your room block and your contracts.

Because the real risk isn’t the market. It’s reacting instead of planning with intention.

Podcast: Smart Start Radio: Fuel for the Purpose Generation of Meeting Planners
Host: Eming Piansay
Release date: February 12, 2026
Length: 7:53
Episode page: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316002/episodes/18671916

Episode Summary

If you’ve been reading 2026 forecasts and wondering what to do with them, this short Coffee Chat is your reset. Eming Piansay breaks down three realistic shifts that will impact event planners heading into 2026, without hype or panic, and shares practical actions you can implement immediately. You’ll also get a simple Monday-morning checklist designed to protect your timeline, room block, and contracts. The core message: the biggest risk isn’t the market, it’s reacting instead of planning with intention.

What You’ll Learn (Key Topics)

• Three 2026 shifts impacting planners:
  1. Meeting space compression
  2. International travel perception
  3. Accelerating vendor mergers
• How to respond with strategy over headlines
• Three immediate actions to reduce risk and protect leverage

Leave us a message on our Smart Start Radio Listener Line: https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/461747/1/xmz3rq7htqlup418

Transcript

Cold Open

If you’ve read one more 2026 forecast and thought, “Okay, cool… but how does this actually impact me? What do I do with this?”

I get it.

It’s a lot.

So today I’m going to try my best to cut through the noise. Three shifts that are actually going to hit your timeline, your room block, your contracts — and what you can do about it starting Monday morning. Or Tuesday. Whatever day you prefer to start the process.

Intro

What’s going on, Smart Start Radio family? I am once again your host in the booth, in the pod, Eming Piansay.

Today we’re recapping a recent Smart Meetings webinar with Mike Dominguez, CEO of ALHI, who highlighted what to expect in 2026 — especially for those of us working in this industry and trying to create amazing events.

So what’s the vibe?

Pressure points with opportunity.
Demand is strong.
The system is tight — space, staffing, supplier dynamics.

And the real risk isn’t the market. It’s overreacting to headlines instead of planning with intention.

So here’s what we’re doing.

Three shifts.
Three actions.
And then I’ll give you a simple Monday plan you can run in under an hour, give or take.

Shift One: Meeting Space Compression

Group demand has rebounded in major U.S. markets.

That part? Expected.

The issue isn’t interest. It’s capacity.

We’re not building new venues or hotels at the pace we once were. Renovations and expansions at major convention centers — Dallas and Austin specifically — are temporarily pulling inventory offline.

Then layer in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Even if your event isn’t in a host city, sponsors and executive teams get pulled into that ecosystem. Resources shift.

And here’s the line that should make you sit up.

Twelve months of meetings are effectively compressed into ten.

That’s not dramatic. It’s not meant to be buzzy. It’s just reality.

So what are your options?

Plan earlier if you can.

It may not feel comfortable, but it’s probably your best bet.

Source earlier than usual. Frame this as a constraint conversation, not just a budget one. Bring options. Dates leadership may not have considered before. Be flexible.

Maybe look at a second-tier city near a larger metro.

Here’s language you can use:

“Because 2026 availability is tighter than usual, I’m bringing three date options and two space configurations so we protect both attendee experience and leverage.”

You sound proactive, not reactive.

Shift Two: International Travel

International travel is rebounding.

Roughly 57 percent of international travelers enter the U.S. through visa waiver programs. That’s significant.

Yes, there are still challenges in parts of Asia and India. But this is not an overall crisis.

Here’s the actual issue.

Logistics can be solid. But if attendees feel uncertain, they hesitate.

So your job as the planner is to clarify and overcommunicate.

And I say this as someone who overcommunicates in my own life because I am always worried about sounding differently than I intend.

In this case? Overcommunication helps.

Create a clear timeline.
Link to official resources.
Add a list of common questions your attendees might have before traveling.

Not hype. Not spin. Just clean information.

The less anxious people feel, the more comfortable they are registering.

Communication is key.

Shift Three: Vendor Mergers and Acquisitions

This one is happening quietly.

Mergers and acquisitions are increasing across AV companies, DMCs and specialized service providers.

Capital is moving. Ownership is shifting. Logos may stay the same, but leadership may not.

And that can affect pricing, staffing, service levels and escalation processes.

So here are questions you should be asking before renewing anything:

Who owns your vendor now?
Has ownership changed in the last 12 months?
How does that affect pricing, staffing or on-site support?

And yes, reread your contract terms.

Change fees. Cancellation clauses. Support levels.

I know reading the fine print is not fun. But future you will be glad you did.

Be responsible for what you can control. At minimum, be informed.

Before We Close

Three questions for you:

One — if my first-choice city and week disappear, what is my Plan B footprint?

Two — how can I add one layer of attendee communication that reduces international uncertainty?

Three — are any of my core vendors in the process of merging?

Compression is real.
Source early and be flexible.
Mergers are happening. Protect yourself in contracts.
International travel isn’t broken. Communicate clearly.

I hope this gave you a little more clarity for the coming year.

Once again, thank you so much for joining me on this episode of Coffee Chat. I’m Eming Piansay. Thanks for hanging out with me. I’ll see you next time.