Event planners, we see you—navigating budget cuts, skyrocketing costs, and still pulling off unforgettable experiences like the pros you are. To help event professionals get a pulse on where the industry’s headed (and maybe feel a little less alone in the chaos), we’re breaking down the highlights from Meetings Today‘s 2025 Trends Survey. With over 500 event planners weighing in, here’s what’s up.

1. Event Planner Demographics

Women rule the event world: 78% of respondents are female.

Experience matters: Nearly half (45%) have been planning events for over 20 years.

Age breakdown:

• 41–55: 33%
• 56–64: 29.8%
• 26–40: 20.9%

Event Planner types:

• 32.6% Association planners
• 23.9% Corporate planners
• The rest? Independent, government, or other. A diverse crew!

2. What’s Keeping Event Planners Up at Night?

These are the top career threats on planners’ minds:

• Compensation – 44.6% worry they’re not paid what they’re worth (can we get an amen?).
• Perceived value of the profession – 39.5% feel underappreciated.
• Downsizing – 34.6% fear job cuts.

3. The Big 3 Challenges for 2025

Let’s just say it’s a budget-tightening, cost-skyrocketing, attendance-dipping kind of year:

• Increasing costs – 89.6% of planners are feeling the pinch.
• Lower budgets – 49% are being asked to do more with less.
• Declining attendance – 31.3% are battling smaller crowds.

4. How Event Planners Choose Destinations & Venues

Spoiler alert: money talks—but it’s not the only thing that matters:

• Overall cost – 78.8%
• Alignment with organizational values – 30.7%
• Diversity & inclusion – 23.8%
• Labor union contracts/actions – 14%
• Environmental sustainability – 12.5%

5. Activities That Are In for 2025

The days of stale conferences are gone. Here’s what planners are adding to the mix:

• Networking opportunities – 84.6% (always a classic)
• Outdoor activities – 47.1%
• Team building – 41.9%
• Wellness components – 35.3%
• Yard games – 32.1% (yes, really!)
• Golf – 31.7%
• Authentic/immersive destination experiences – 31.1%
• Gamification – 26.6%
• Spas & spa activities – 18.3%
• And even cooking programs (12.5%) and theme parks (14.1%) are making appearances!

6. Audience Size: Go Big or… Keep It Cozy?

Event sizes are all over the board:

• 19.5% expect 1,000+ attendees
• 17.4% aim for 301–500
• 16.5%: 201–300
• Smaller events still shine: 15% are planning for 101–200, and 10.8% for 51–100

7. Politics: Do They Affect Destination Picks?

In a word? Sometimes.

• 50% say politics somewhat influence their choice.
• 33.3% say politics have no influence.
• 17.1% say politics are a major factor.

8. What REALLY Matters When Picking a Destination?

Here’s what tops the list for destination must-haves:

• Location, location, location – 96.2%
• Accessibility – 44.6%
• Weather/natural disaster risk – 43.7%
• Leisure appeal – 41.5%
• Airlift (aka flight availability) – 38.9%
• DEI initiatives – 17.5%
• Sustainability practices – 16.1%

Final Thoughts

From rising costs to shifting values, 2025 is shaping up to be a year where savvy, strategic planning will shine. Whether you’re fighting for budget dollars or finding new ways to engage attendees, just know—you’re not alone. The data is clear: event planners are resilient, creative, and making it happen against all odds.

To learn how we can lighten your load with stellar AV services, contact us.

To see what event trends are transforming events in 2025, visit our blog post.