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In the ever-evolving corporate landscape, the meeting and events sector stands poised for unprecedented growth, underpinned by emerging technological adoptions and evolving workplace structures. This reveals the American Express GBT Meetings & Events’ 13th Annual Global Meetings and Events Forecast.

The comprehensive report, which evaluated inputs from over 500 global meetings and events professionals alongside expert commentaries, paints a vivid picture of a buoyant industry brimming with optimism.

Key Takeaways:

Soaring Corporate Budgets: A staggering 67% of those surveyed indicate an uptick in corporate meetings and events budgets.
Industry Health & Optimism: 82% of professionals exude optimism regarding the sector’s health, a significant rise from 77% in the previous year.
Impact of Hybrid Work Models: As companies lean into distributed workforces, the inherent value of in-person meetings is underscored, with 59% expecting entirely in-person meetings and 20% anticipating hybrid models.
Tech: The New Frontier: As AI becomes more pervasive, 42% of those polled anticipate utilizing it in 2024. Mobile apps, with an anticipated usage rate exceeding 60%, and immersive experiences through virtual reality (with 41% adoption expected), are set to revolutionize how professionals approach their roles.

“Companies are awakening to the power of in-person interactions, recognizing their unparalleled role in fostering collaboration, innovation, and well-being. As we navigate a transformative 2024, not only are budgets and attendee numbers swelling, but the pace of technological adoption is also surging,” expressed Gerardo Tejado, SVP of Professional Services, Amex GBT.

Other revelations from the report include:

28% of professionals affirm that programs have already met or surpassed pre-pandemic attendance levels. This number is expected to rise to 42% by 2024.
Remarkably, only 25% are scouting for job opportunities in the coming year, solidifying the confidence in the industry’s future trajectory.

Hotel Landscape in 2024: According to Amex GBT’s Hotel Monitor 2024, hotel rates are predicted to be upward in most global locations. The surge in meetings and events is slated to offset declining leisure travel demands.

Sustainability: The Path Forward: 78% of meeting professionals disclosed their organizations’ ambitions to achieve net-zero goals by the end of 2024.

Global Insights:

North America: Professionals in this region exhibit heightened enthusiasm for technological advancements. An optimistic 84% believe in the robust health of the industry.
Europe: Professionals here foresee modest upticks in activity, with a significant focus on internal meetings.
Asia Pacific: Leading the charge on sustainability, 63% of organizations have set corporate net-zero goals.
Latin America: Professionals project stability in hotel room availability and anticipate enhanced meeting space availability in 2024.

Access the full 2024 Meetings and Events Forecast for a deeper dive into the findings.