Chris and Khalil examine actionable risk management strategies for businesses caught in the crosshairs of political instability. With stories from industry leaders, the hosts illustrate how disruptions—from potential military and federal worker paycheck delays to airport staffing issues that hit exhibitor travel—can quickly escalate from abstract policy debate to project-level consequences.

Listeners will hear why every agency and exhibit contractor should treat the current government shutdown as a warning shot, not a one-off event. Chris offers practical frameworks for assessing defensive spending, adjusting hiring forecasts, protecting proposals from last-minute cancellations, and setting clear operational benchmarks during periods of uncertainty. The segment addresses specific roles—from agency CEOs to project managers—emphasizing the difference between reactive cuts and proactive, future-proof planning.

Expect actionable ideas on when to revisit growth plans, how to communicate with your team about changes, and what external variables—like fluctuating labor policy or international travel restrictions—should trigger updated risk scenarios. For organizations evaluating new investments or expansion, this clip provides a thinking-aloud approach to stress-testing your plans against real-world volatility. Business owners and agency leaders will leave with a checklist to stay vigilant, informed, and ready to adapt—because government dysfunction may not end with the latest news cycle.

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