PRESS RELEASE: FCM Meetings & Events Releases Inaugural Global Trends Report

New York, NY (June 9, 2025) – FCM Meetings & Events (FCM M&E), the long-standing industry specialists and one of the flagship divisions of Flight Centre Travel Group, today released its inaugural Global Trends Report, providing a detailed look at the key trends shaping the meetings and events industry today, and in the years ahead. The wide-ranging report examines the current behaviors, budget priorities, and strategic shifts driving the industry forward. 

Developed in partnership with Cvent, the report features unique insights from a diverse group of M&E professionals surveyed across 28 countries and 22 industries. Supported by proprietary research and expert analysis from FCM Consulting, the findings offer a clear snapshot of the global and regional M&E landscape.

“We're excited to unveil our inaugural global trend report, showcasing the dynamic shifts in the meetings and events industry,” said Simone Seiler, Global General Manager, FCM Meetings & Events. “This sector continues to innovate in response to evolving expectations around budgets, digital efficiencies, and time-pressured attendees, all while trying to keep pace with smart, sustainable practices that could redefine the landscape.”

“Looking ahead, it's clear that the industry's future growth will be defined by how well those deliver unique and personalized service, enable and encourage responsible travel choices, and design events that are accessible and engaging on every level,” Seiler added.

According to the report, global corporate events have grown year-on-year since 2022. Furthermore, in 2024, more than 28% of companies dedicated at least half of their travel and expense budgets to meetings, events, and conferences, a strong signal of the sector’s recent resurgence.

“As evidenced by the findings in the report, engagement remains the driving force behind successful corporate meetings, playing an essential role in fostering meaningful connections and sparking innovation,” said Gabriella Antoniotti, Business Leader, Americas, FCM Meetings & Events. “Across industries throughout the Americas, we continue to see that when organizations prioritize engagement, meetings become powerful platforms for collaboration, creativity, and long-term business growth.”

Some of the notable findings from the report include:

• Human Connection. 56% of respondents shared that the primary purpose of meetings and events is to foster engagement, whether with employees, clients, or both, highlighting the critical role of connectivity in driving business success.
• In-house Planners. With demand for events on the rise, more and more industries are assigning dedicated staff to manage their event business. The professional services sector led the way in employing in-house planners, followed by the travel, real estate, and media industries.
• Bigger Events. In 2024, more than 47% of companies globally invested in medium to large-scale events, ranging from 50 to 150+ attendees. In the Americas, 42% of companies allocated budget toward larger events last year.
• Increasing Spending: Among those with budget visibility, 43% reported plans to increase investment by 10% or more this year, while 39% expect spending to remain steady. In the Americas, 26% anticipate increasing spend, while 30% expect no change.
• Event Priorities: Beyond attendee experience (28%), nearly a quarter of planners (24%) identified pre- and post-event activation as a top priority, indicating a stronger emphasis on understanding attendee expectations before the event, as well as capturing insights for future events.
• Technology Innovation: Attendee apps emerged as the leading digital enhancement being planned over the next 12-18 months, while several companies are also exploring the use of AI technologies to better understand and adapt to audience behavior in real-time.
• Sustainability: Avoiding single-use plastics ranked as the top sustainability consideration among 65% of event professionals. Venue selection is also playing a significant role, with businesses increasingly choosing locations that align with their broader sustainability goals.
• Incentive Travel: 41% of industries offered incentive travel as part of their broader meeting and events services. The top industries were the food and financial/insurance sectors, followed closely by retail trade.

“Event planners today are embracing technology to boost efficiency and flexibility. As time and budget limitations often hinder traditional site visits, there's a notable rise in the use of online sourcing,” said Will Kataria, Senior Director, Country Head, Cvent Singapore.

The report also includes a regional breakdown of travel costs associated with meetings and events, offering valuable insights into corporate travel behaviors that may influence future budgeting. In the Americas, the average total trip ranges from $1,600 - $1,800, factoring in flights, hotels, and ground transportation. The average trip length is 4.2 days, with bookings made an average of 22 days in advance. Notably, 64% of these trips are domestic.

For more information on the FCM M&E Global Trends Report, please visit here.