PRESS RELEASE
FCM Meetings & Events Releases 2026 Global Trends Report
Increased Budgets, Safety and Security, and Employee Engagement Define the Global M&E Landscape
New York, NY (March 12, 2026) – FCM Meetings & Events (FCM M&E), a flagship division of FCM Travel, today released its 2026 Global Trends Report, providing a comprehensive analysis of the key trends shaping the meetings and events industry today, and in the years ahead.
Developed in partnership with Hubli and supported by proprietary research from FCM Consulting, the report features insights from more than 500 M&E professionals worldwide. Representing a broad cross-section of industries, respondents offer a detailed snapshot of the current behaviours, budget priorities, and strategic shifts driving the sector forward.
The findings tell a compelling story of optimism, resilience, and proactive evolution. Organizations are not only investing more, but raising the bar across safety, value, and impact.
Simone Seiler, Global General Manager at FCM M&E, observed a growing appetite for innovation, service excellence, and attendee wellbeing.
“Events are being crafted with greater care and creativity, ensuring people feel valued and safe,” said Seiler. “This focus is empowering organizations to engage teams and build lasting impact. Choosing the right destination for your people, ensuring your supply chain is trusted throughout, and ensuring contingency plans are in place are some of the many ways customers can travel to events with confidence for when worlds meet.”
Safety and security remain at the forefront, with 78.9% of professionals ranking it as their primary planning priority. Meanwhile, 74.3% of professionals cite employee engagement as the primary purpose for hosting meetings and events, reflecting a continued focus on culture, connection, and workforce development.
Despite ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, investment in M&E remains resilient as 92% of respondents expect their budgets to hold steady or increase, while 35% anticipate budget increases of more than 10%. These figures underscore what is expected to be a landmark year of strategic growth and reinforce the recognized value of face-to-face engagement as a key driver of business success.
“As organizations adopt more flexible work models, bringing people together in meaningful ways is essential to strong teams and cultures,” added Seiler.
As demand for in-person engagement continues to rise, the report delivers actionable insights for professionals across the industry — from planners and program managers to procurement leaders and executive stakeholders. Some of the key findings in the report include:
Top Priorities During M&E Planning
- Safety and security – 78.9%
- Attendee experience – 76.5%
- Effective project management – 72.1%
- Seamless technology – 66.9%
- Event cost – 63%
- Return on investment – 61.2%
Reasons for Hosting Meetings and Events
- Employee engagement (training, planning, etc.) – 74.3%
- Learning and development – 62.0%
- Business management (board, suppliers, etc.) – 62.0%
- Industry engagement – 51.8%
- Employee rewards (top achievers) – 43.8%
- New business development – 38.2%
Intended Annual Budget Spend
- Less than $1 million – 41.0%
- $1–$5 million – 23.5%
- $5–$10 million – 11.2%
- $10–$50 million – 9.4%
- $50–$100 million – 9.9%
- More than $100 million – 3.9%
- Other – 1.0%
Event Size Focus
- Medium events (50–150 attendees) – 36.6%
- Large events (150+ attendees) – 27.8%
- Small events/meetings (<50 attendees) – 19.1%
- Self-managed meetings (<50 attendees, in-house) – 10.9%
- Incentive travel – 2.6%
- Agency-managed meetings (<50 attendees, outsourced) – 2.1%
- Other – 0.9%
“Medium-sized events are emerging as the preferred format for many businesses, offering the ideal blend of scale and personalization,” said Gabriella Antoniotti, Business Leader, Americas, FCM M&E. “This approach enables more frequent, impactful interactions, optimizing both program return on investment and attendee experience.”
The report also explores the evolving role of AI in event planning, shifting patterns around inclusion and accessibility, and the continued emphasis on sustainability.
“Technology and artificial intelligence are increasingly integrated into the planning process, supporting efficiency and precision,” said Antoniotti. “With 55% of professionals embracing AI to streamline their work and enhance outcomes, the sector is harnessing fresh opportunities to innovate—while maintaining a strong focus on quality and human experience.”
Industry leaders remain committed to fostering rich connections, sustainable practices, and the adoption of smart technology that will shape the future of meetings and events worldwide. Planners are making visible strides with environmentally conscious choices in venue, catering, and waste management, and there is growing interest in responsible, scalable solutions for global programs.
For more information or to download the 2026 Global Trends Report, please visit here.
About FCM Meetings & Events
FCM Meetings & Events (FCM M&E), the dedicated meetings and events division of FCM Travel, delivers end-to-end solutions that blend creativity with commercial rigour. With over 20 years of global expertise, our team of 350+ certified events and group travel specialists designs unforgettable board meetings, conferences, gala dinners, incentive trips, product launches and more. From strategic planning and venue sourcing to full-scale production and creative content, we ensure every detail aligns with your objectives - engaging audiences, optimizing budgets and maximizing ROI. Powered by FCM’s global platform and buying power, we deliver smarter, seamless events, backed by advanced analytics, talent, and tools. For more information, visit https://www.fcmtravel.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Scott Weiss – FCM Meetings & Events
U.S. Director of PR and Communications