Calling all event enthusiasts! Meetings Today has just dropped their “Trends for 2024” eHandbook packed to the brim with insights sure to help you plan for the upcoming year. The 2024 Meetings Today Trends Survey was conducted using Alchemer between 10/27/2023 and 12/18/2023 and includes 181 complete responses from meeting and event planners.

Meet 2024’s Meeting and Event Planners 

Ever wonder who’s behind the magic of event planning? Well it turns out, almost half of meeting and event planners seem to fall between the ages of 42-57, consisting mostly of Gen Xers followed by the second largest group being 58+. More millennials and Gen Zers will eventually make their way up the ranks, but not anytime soon. Experience is the name of the game here, with more than half of our survey respondents boasting over two decades in the biz! Oh, and did we mention? The event management scene is rocking a fabulous 78% female power surge.

Hot Button Issues

Politics and social issues may make headlines, but do they sway our planners’ destination decisions? When asked if a location’s climate on controversial political and social issues impacts destination selection, the majority of responders fell between “somewhat” and “has no influence on my destination selection.” And what about labor unions? Meh, not a deciding factor for 70% of respondents. In fact, when picking a destination for their meetings and events, the respondents said they mainly care about location! Accessibility, airlift, and weather play the next most important roles in decision making.

Meeting Logistics: Location, Location, Location

Picture this: bustling events, buzzing with energy, and attendees aplenty. That’s the vibe for 2024, with planners expecting a crowd of 101-200. And the fun doesn’t stop there—the majority of planners say they are planning to have 3-5 or even 11-50 events throughout the year! While, about 57% of planners say they will not be going international in 2024, 11% say they plan to in the future. 

Activities offsite are nothing new to the world of corporate meetings and events, but what type of options are planners considering when perusing local Yelp pages? It’s no surprise that restaurants came in at number 1. Planners are also considering historic buildings/landmarks, museums, and trailing not far behind are wineries/breweries and sports facilities. But what kinds of activities specifically are we talking about incorporating? Obviously networking is first, followed by more than one third saying that team building activities and wellness activities are on their priority lists. And let’s not forget the allure of a round of golf or a pampering spa day—because who doesn’t love a little indulgence?

When it comes to hotel selection, the majority of planners are picking based on, you guessed it, location. Room rates come in second, followed by food and beverage and then attrition policy. 

Looking Ahead to the Future

The biggest foreseeable challenge for our meeting planner friends seems to be increasing costs. Hotel, supplier, and food and beverage costs seem to be skyrocketing along with inflation, and over 87% of planners see this as their biggest challenge moving forward. Staffing levels and navigating attrition policies also spark concern, followed by the perennial challenge of managing tighter budgets.

Yes, the events industry has bounced back with gusto, but it’s a journey sprinkled with both triumphs and hurdles. Embracing the blend of old-school expertise and new-wave innovations, about 32% of planners are still keen on hybrid events, keeping the virtual realm buzzing with possibilities. 

So, fellow event professionals, let’s tackle 2024 with excitement, creativity, and a dash of tech-savvy magic! Together, we’ll make every event an unforgettable experience.

To see the entire comprehensive report, visit meetingstoday.com.

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Want to learn more about event trends in 2024? Visit our Marketing Events in 2024 blog.