Latest Meetings Planning Survey
In the latest meeting planning survey carried out by Meeting Planners International results show both negative and positive trends that are affecting the business meetings industry.
In an analysis of the research findings dated to July 2011, one positive trend showed that overall business meetings were better this year than last. However it also highlighted the fact that rising travel costs were impacting negatively on the industry.
Significantly, 73 percent of business meeting professionals say current business meeting conditions are favourable. On the other hand, 20 percent say they fear that the rising costs of fuel and airfares will have a negative effect on face-to-face meetings' volume. Moreover 66 percent add that they already have had a "significant" or "moderate" effect on the way their business meetings operate.
Despite concerns, projected business meeting levels remain high, showing anticipated 4 percent improvement in the coming months, according to MPI, which also reported strong meetings industry employment trends.