Meetings to increase in 2013
Meetings planners will plan more meetings as their budgets continue to rise in 2013, according to Meeting Professionals International, which has released its annual Business Barometer, a forecast of industry trends for the upcoming year. The annual barometer surveys the entire membership of MPI to give a detailed look at the industry. The organization predicts an increase in the number of meetings next year of 3.3 percent in Canada, 3.2 percent in Europe and 2.8 percent in the United States. Meeting budgets in the U.S. are expected to increase by 1 percent. Overall, meetings are expected to be slightly shorter, by about 30 minutes.
An abundance of innovative technologies give meeting professionals a new problem: determining which ones to use. Planners are also accommodating attendees who participate electronically by redesigning meeting space spaces and agendas, according to the report. And while meeting professionals say better Internet access in venues and hotels is one of the most demanded technologies, venues are continuing to charge premiums for network availability. Other key findings include information about meeting industry trends, careers and salaries, which help senior executives plan 2013 budgets as well as give planners an indication of the industry’s direction.
The annual report has a new design that makes charts and data easier for readers to comprehend. It is the first Business Barometer to provide country and region specific data for the U.S., Canada and Europe. An executive summary of the report can be read here, or download the entire report ($199; free for MPI members).
