The meetings and events industry is expected to thrive in 2025, and meeting professionals are optimistic about the health of the industry. Our survey found that 66% of them anticipate increased budgets. They plan to use this funding to support a broad range of business priorities.
Almost three-quarters of meeting professionals feel optimistic
74% feel optimistic.
20% feel neither discouraged or optimistic.
6% feel discouraged.
Two-thirds see an increase in overall meeting spend
66% say spend is growing.
16% say spend is staying the same.
13% say spend is decreasing.
Meeting in person continues to be the number one choice for 2025
Meeting professionals are clear; while all formats have a place in the meetings toolkit, survey respondents see greater enthusiasm for in-person meetings over hybrid and virtual events. That view is shared by our panel of specialists.
Meeting in person continues to be the number one choice for 2025
Meeting professionals are clear; while all formats have a place in the meetings toolkit, survey respondents see greater enthusiasm for in-person meetings over hybrid and virtual events. That view is shared by our panel of specialists.
in-person only
virtual only
hybrid
in-person only
virtual only
hybrid
Continued focus on internal meetings
Companies will continue to invest in bringing their employees together in person for meetings. In fact, meeting professionals expect internal meetings to be the most frequent meeting type in 2025, though rising costs could mean companies become more selective about holding such events at hotel venues.
In 2025, we'll see travel managers finally take ownership over internal meetings. This is a big black hole in meeting spend and they can’t just let it continue. Around 50% of spend on these meetings is unmanaged. Even little baby steps would deliver big gains.
Alisa de Gaspe Beaubien CEO, Groupize
Continued focus on internal meetings
Companies will continue to invest in bringing their employees together in person for meetings. In fact, meeting professionals expect internal meetings to be the most frequent meeting type in 2025, though rising costs could mean companies become more selective about holding such events at hotel venues.
In 2025, we'll see travel managers finally take ownership over internal meetings. This is a big black hole in meeting spend and they can’t just let it continue. Around 50% of spend on these meetings is unmanaged. Even little baby steps would deliver big gains.
Alisa de Gaspe Beaubien CEO, Groupize
Adapting to rising costs
While inflation has started to cool, prices continue to rise on food and beverage, accommodation, and hospitality labor, creating cost challenges for the attendee experience. Incentive and special events will most likely be impacted by these price increases in 2025. Meeting professionals indicated they would change the destination or lodging or even shift to a virtual format to manage costs if needed.
We continue to see high demand for urban destinations however there is willingness to consider other places that allow for greater choice. Conventions remain resilient while resorts with meetings or all-inclusive packages have seen increased interest.
Yola Marshall
Vice President Sales, IHG
Adapting to rising costs
While inflation has started to cool, prices continue to rise on food and beverage, accommodation, and hospitality labor, creating cost challenges for the attendee experience. Incentive and special events will most likely be impacted by these price increases in 2025. Meeting professionals indicated they would change the destination or lodging or even shift to a virtual format to manage costs if needed.
We continue to see high demand for urban destinations however there is willingness to consider other places that allow for greater choice. Conventions remain resilient while resorts with meetings or all-inclusive packages have seen increased interest.
Yola Marshall
Vice President Sales, IHG
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