Trends to watch in events

Economic woes in Europe and North America will impact on the events business, but opportunities in Asia could compensate if event operators adjust to the changes. That was the concluding observations of the Meetings Industry Day late last week in Chiang Mai, according to Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau senior manager and Meeting Industry Department acting president, Vichaya Soonthornsaratoon. “The economic crisis in traditional markets has impacted on length of stay reducing events from seven to 10 days to as little as five days, while political problems in Thailand and natural disasters in the region have reduced the number of delegates.” She added: “In the next decade, meeting industry trends will change, and meeting operators have to monitor them closely.” Next decade trends: • Fewer meetings on general topics, but the overall size of events could grow; • Increase in small specific topic meetings; • Shorter lead-time for meetings to be organised; • Emergence of more joint conferences; • Cost-cutting of budgets, but more response to delegate needs; • Stiff competition for delegate attention to show advantages of attending meetings; • Focus on green meetings and carbon footprint tracing; • Understanding political problems and economic crisis as a norm in the events business. Delegate expectations will emphasise on a return on investment, while personalisation and different learning experiences at an event will be a priority. “Technology, internet and social media drive meeting trends through mobile applications, FaceBook, LinkedIn Interaction of delegates, speakers and exhibitors including webcast, virtual meeting, streaming VDO and free Wi-Fi, ” she added. From ttrweekly