In-Person Experiences Leading the Way
The Cvent 2022 Q1 Planner Sourcing Report: Europe Edition reveals planners across the UK and western Europe are embracing a diversified range of event formats for their programmes in 2022; with more than 70% saying that events with in-person components will make up the majority of their event programmes. Of that 70%, hybrid events are the most popular format (38%). Only 25% of respondents said that virtual events would make up the bulk of their 2022 event programmes. Cvent, a market-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, commissioned an independent research company, Censuswide, to survey over 500 event planners, managers, coordinators and directors across the UK and Europe (France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain) in January 2022.
The report offers hotels and venues deep insights into the sourcing requirements of planners across the UK and Europe, helping to identify the opportunities and services they can adopt to attract more MICE business.
The results of the survey show that from a regional perspective, event organisers in Spain (60%), the UK (48%), Germany (37%) and Italy (38%) say a hybrid format is the main choice. Just over half of the planners in the Netherlands (59%) cited in-person gatherings as their top option, while virtual is top in France (45%).
The report also reveals most planners (71%) are currently sourcing venues for events with in-person components, and of those planners, two-thirds (66%) say they will hold events in the first half of 2022 (whilst 70% are planning events in the second half of the year). By region, sourcing for in-person events increases to 96% for planners based in Spain, 92% in the Netherlands, 87% in the UK and 73% in France.
Growing Event Budgets
Planners have bigger budgets compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic). Among all respondents, 68% say they have more budget for in-person and hybrid events. Only 13% say their budget has been reduced. Regionally, in the UK, just over half of planners (57%) have more budget. In Germany (71%) have more spend, which is the same proportion of planners that have increased budgets in other European markets (71%).
Survey Respondents
Of the 500+ companies surveyed, the minimum turnover is £100,000 a year, and the majority have turnover from £1 million – £100 million. Respondents work in a broad range of industry sectors including architecture, engineering & building; arts & culture; education; finance; healthcare; HR; IT & telecoms; legal, retail, catering & leisure; sales, media & marketing and travel & transport.
To view the full report click here.