Twice a year, we conduct our Meetings & Events Pulse survey to track industry trends. Our latest report highlights the ongoing challenges of rising costs, particularly in hotels, F&B, and A/V, and the growing emphasis on sustainability and DEI initiatives in event planning.
Key insights from the 2024 Q3 report:
- Budget challenges persist, with only 27% of international planners experiencing budget increases compared to 44% of U.S./Canadian planners.
- Rising costs continue to impact planners, with 80% struggling with accommodation rates and 70% facing higher-than-expected A/V costs.
- Many planners are managing costs by reducing attendee numbers and relying on early contracting to save money.
- AI adoption has surged, with 48% of planners now regularly using AI tools like ChatGPT, an increase from the previous survey.
- Sustainability efforts are more common among international planners, with 76% incorporating sustainability into their programs frequently, compared to 47% of U.S./Canadian planners.