• March 23, 2026

The new currency of connection: events in an era of political and economic change

The new currency of connection: events in an era of political and economic change

The new currency of connection: events in an era of political and economic change 1024 683 micebook.

Event and incentive professionals gathered at the historic Cliveden House to discuss how political and economic change is reshaping events at the SITE GB Supper Club last week.

Set within the historic Berkshire property, the event centred on the theme The New Currency of Connection: Events in an Era of Political and Economic Shift, with guest speaker John Rowland, CEO of H/Advisors Cicero, leading a wide-ranging conversation on the forces shaping the global landscape.

A world of interconnected disruption

Opening the discussion, Rowland argued that the current climate is defined not by isolated challenges, but by a series of overlapping and interconnected crises.

From the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East to energy market volatility, shifting trade routes, the rise of China and ongoing uncertainty surrounding the US, he described a world in which geopolitical and economic events are increasingly linked. Their impact is being felt across aviation, supply chains, diplomacy and business confidence, with clear consequences for the meetings and incentive travel sector.

He noted that even where conflicts may ease, the effects on infrastructure and logistics will take far longer to resolve, meaning disruption is likely to remain a reality for some time.

Shifting global power

A key theme of the evening was the changing balance of power in the global economy.

Rowland pointed to China’s rapid rise over the last four decades, describing it as a genuine peer superpower to the United States. He suggested that much of today’s global turbulence reflects a world order in transition, as the US responds to no longer being the sole centre of gravity.

He also highlighted the development of parallel trading systems that increasingly route through the Global South and bypass traditional western financial structures, describing this as a structural shift rather than a short-term realignment.

The UK picture

The discussion also turned to the domestic picture, with Rowland outlining a challenging UK economic backdrop shaped by slow growth, inflation and political uncertainty.

Despite these pressures, he made a strong case for the UK as a destination for meetings, events and incentive travel. In a volatile global environment, he said, the UK’s strengths, including global connectivity, institutional credibility and international appeal, position it well to benefit as organisations reconsider other long-haul or politically exposed destinations.

What this means for events

For the events sector, the conversation highlighted how instability is already influencing demand and client priorities.

As organisations navigate political, economic and technological change, the value of events as a tool for building trust, culture and alignment is becoming even more significant. The discussion also touched on the impact of AI and automation, with Rowland describing this as one of the defining economic issues of the coming decade and one that will inevitably shape the needs of clients and audiences alike.

The evening reinforced the idea that resilience, adaptability and meaningful human connection will be critical strengths for the industry in the years ahead.

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