The response to the Los Angeles wildfires has demonstrated the resilience of the meeting and event industry, according to Sepideh Eivazi, the LA-based director of global accounts for Elevated Meeting Solutions. I spoke with her about the efforts of the Earthbound Foundation to provide housing in a time of need and how she’s using the powerful tool of breathwork to help people cope.
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Note: The LA Convention & Tourism Board notes that there are currently no travel restrictions in place for LA, and that while wildfires continue to affect some areas, the vast majority of the city’s major attractions, venues and accommodations remain untouched and are fully operational. Visiting now supports local businesses, sustains jobs and helps the community recover. Learn more about how you can help.

How have the LA fires impacted you and, from your perspective, those in the meeting industry in LA?
The recent fires in LA have been deeply troubling, creating lasting personal and professional impacts across the region. For many, myself included, it’s a constant reminder of how quickly life can change.
I was in Las Vegas working at CES when the fires broke out, and it was devastating to return to LA and see the extent of the damage and the emotional toll it took on the city. The personal losses were felt on every level, from homes and businesses to the community's overall sense of safety and stability.
From a business standpoint, the fire’s impact on the meeting and event industry has been severe. According to recent estimates from local officials, nearly 500,000 people in LA County were displaced due to evacuations, and hundreds of events—ranging from large conferences to corporate meetings—have either been postponed, canceled or significantly altered in the wake of the disaster.
For those of us working in event planning, venue operations and the broader meeting industry, this has meant constant disruption. The immediate impact of closures, air quality hazards and evacuations has thrown a wrench in the logistics of both scheduled and future events. Many planners have been forced to pivot quickly—finding alternative venues, rescheduling speakers or rethinking entire event formats to accommodate safety measures.

From a broader perspective, the financial ripple effect is already being felt. Venues, hotels, caterers and local suppliers who depend on large gatherings are facing cancellations that will likely result in millions of dollars in lost revenue. According to industry estimates, the event industry in LA contributes nearly $20 billion annually to the local economy, and the fires have disrupted this crucial flow, creating a prolonged period of financial instability for many businesses. But beyond the numbers, there’s also an undeniable emotional toll. Event professionals are not just juggling logistics—they’re also managing their own anxieties and safety concerns while trying to serve clients and keep things on track.
Yet, amidst this uncertainty, I’ve been deeply moved by the resilience of our industry. Many professionals are stepping up, offering venues as emergency shelters, providing transportation for displaced individuals and extending support to affected colleagues. This crisis has underscored the importance of preparedness, adaptability and a sense of community. It’s reminded us that the power of human connection transcends the business itself.
While the path to recovery will undoubtedly take time, it’s clear that the LA meeting industry, though temporarily disrupted, is built on a foundation of resilience. The collaboration and compassion displayed in this time of crisis will serve as the bedrock for rebuilding and regaining momentum in the months ahead.
Can you tell us about your partnership with the Earthbound Foundation to assist with temporary housing and how those in need of assistance can get help?
The Earthbound Foundation has been an incredible ally in providing immediate relief to those displaced by the fires. My volunteer partnership with them focuses on one of the most urgent needs during a disaster like this—temporary housing. After the fires ravaged so many neighborhoods, it became clear that securing safe, short-term accommodations for displaced families was essential for their recovery.
Through Earthbound’s established network, we’ve been able to assist individuals and families by facilitating the rapid placement of temporary housing. Our efforts have included working directly with housing providers, leveraging platforms like Airbnb, spreading the word through social media and reaching out to those offering subleases or short-term rentals. This collective approach ensures that people don’t have to face the uncertainty of finding a place to stay on their own during such a chaotic time. Whether it’s coordinating stays, connecting people with rental properties or helping individuals navigate their options, Earthbound has proven to be a dependable and compassionate resource.
I am incredibly proud to be part of this initiative, and it’s been rewarding to witness the swift action taken by Earthbound and the broader community. This has truly been a collective effort of volunteers and the invaluable support of Earthbound’s founder, Farhoud Meybodi—speaking with families, finding housing solutions, fundraising to cover first-month rent and so much more. Partnering with the SEARCH Foundation has also amplified my voice within the industry, and I am deeply grateful for their support in helping raise awareness for this cause. The goal is to ensure that no one is left without a roof over their head, and with Earthbound’s unwavering commitment, along with the support of our community, that vision is becoming a reality for many displaced residents.
I know that you specialize in breathwork sessions. Can you tell us how breathwork can help people dealing with something like the LA fires and, specifically, about your breathwork efforts related to the LA fires?
Breathwork is a powerful tool for helping people navigate stress, trauma and emotional upheaval—especially during a crisis like the LA fires. In moments of uncertainty and overwhelm, our nervous system can become activated, triggering a fight-or-flight response. This is completely normal, but it can also lead to heightened anxiety, difficulty focusing and physical tension. Breathwork offers an effective way to calm the body, restore balance and help individuals process these intense emotions.
By consciously regulating our breath, we can activate the parasympathetic nervous system—the “rest and digest” part of our body—allowing us to counteract the stress response and return to a more grounded and centered state. For those affected by the fires, this can be incredibly helpful in alleviating feelings of anxiety, fear and helplessness. Breathwork can also assist with better sleep, improved clarity of thought and emotional resilience, all of which are crucial when navigating such a traumatic experience.

In response to the LA fires, I’ve been offering free breathwork sessions for those impacted—whether they’ve been displaced, lost their homes or are simply feeling the emotional weight of the situation. These virtual and in-person sessions are designed to give participants a safe space to reconnect with their bodies, release stress and process the emotional impacts of the disaster. By providing a combination of guided breathing techniques, mindfulness and grounding exercises, the sessions help people move through the waves of emotion and find moments of calm amidst the chaos.
Additionally, these breathwork sessions are not just about alleviating stress in the moment, but also about fostering long-term emotional resilience. It’s a way to empower individuals to take an active role in their mental and emotional healing. The act of breathing deeply and consciously reminds us that, even in the midst of devastation, we have the ability to find moments of peace within ourselves.
I’ve seen firsthand how breathwork can create profound shifts, not just in how people feel in the moment, but in how they respond to and recover from crises. For many, it’s a tool they can carry forward with them—whether they’re facing ongoing stress from the fires or navigating any future challenges that come their way.