INSIGHTS
What’s driving modern meetings and events?
Are you keeping up with the latest in corporate meetings and events (M&E)? The sector is always moving forward, but what’s driving that momentum?
FCM Meetings & Event's (M&E) new report has the answers you’re looking for. Here are some of the valuable insights out of the report, from the primary purpose of events to evolving budgets, and sustainability considerations. Some of the findings might surprise you.
Events are back, but visibility is not
Corporate events across the world are continuing the consistent growth they’ve enjoyed since 2022. FCM Meetings & Events partner Cvent found an 89% jump in companies sourcing venues, but only a 21% rise in RFPs. This indicates that while more companies are looking for venues, the overall demand for venues, or perhaps a more formalised way of securing one, is lower.
Large events
Nearly half of companies globally report investing in medium to large-scale events. The regional picture shows Asia Pacific matching global numbers with 47% of planners focusing budgets on bigger events, though the Americas and EMEA regions aren’t far behind.
Tighter windows
Alongside the growth in M&E, venue sourcing seems to happen within a shorter timeframe. 60% of venue sourcing happens inside a six-month window.
Budget blind spots
When it comes to budget, things aren’t always clear. Nearly 40% of organisations cannot identify their total M&E budget. Of those who do know their figures, 25% work with budgets under US$m, while another 13% manage budgets between $1-5m.
Using a specialist organiser remains common
Sales and account management teams are predominantly managing meetings and events. This could indicate that events are increasingly viewed as a tool for client engagement, growth, and retention.
Outsourcing of M&E management is quite common. 80% of events with 2,000+ attendees are being sourced to third-party planners. Executive assistants are among those most likely to outsource M&E, suggesting a need for a more streamlined workload and better access to specialists.
Sustainable meetings matter
Sustainability is no longer a fringe consideration for corporate M&E sourcing. 65% of event professionals rank avoiding single-use plastics as their top priority. This focus is expanding to encompass the entire event experience, from packaging and event furniture to communication methods.
Venue choice matters too. Businesses actively favour locations that align with their broader corporate sustainability goals and offer their own green initiatives. This allows event teams to leverage the venue's efforts without adding to their own workload.
It's about engagement and experience
It’s clear that the most important reason for corporate events is human engagement. Responders told us that when it comes to planning a great event, safety, security, project management, and event cost rank highly, but attendee experience is highest in importance.
More than half of respondents told us that meetings and events primarily exist to bring people together – whether that be employees, clients, or both. This jumps to 60% in the real estate, travel, and financial sectors, where in person interactions generate the trust and relationships these service industries rely on.
M&E needs to be meaningful
The industry is shifting toward meaningful, memorable events with greater attention to designing great experiences for attendees. This means moving away from lecture-heavy formats toward more breakout spaces, cultural elements, and unexpected moments that get people talking.
Smart planners are embracing exciting new tech and tools like AI, hybrid solutions, and improved event media.
Working with experienced partners who understand both the numbers and the nuances will be more crucial than ever for delivering memorable events that hit your business goals.