UK/EU: Independent research, commissioned by Cvent, has revealed 80 per cent of event planners across the UK and Europe are currently sourcing in-person events.
The Cvent 2021 Planner Sourcing Report (Europe edition) shows that 81 per cent of planners are sourcing venues for 2021, and 63 per cent for 2022.
Nearly half of respondents said that they are organising hybrid events. As such, hybrid-ready meeting space and studios (30 per cent) and on-site production and technology expertise (29 per cent) ranked among the highest requested offerings.
When asked to rate their level of confidence for planning and running a hybrid event on a scale of one to 10, 40 per cent of respondents ranked themselves as extremely confident (between eight and 10). 58 per cent rated themselves neutral (between four and seven), and only two per cent rated themselves under four.
The top concerns for planning hybrid events were room design and configuration (44 per cent), venue bandwidth and connectivity (43 per cent) and driving in-person attendance (43 per cent). Nearly one half (45 per cent) said that enhancing safety precautions will mark the biggest change to in-person events, with 40 per cent also looking for more outdoor space.
In terms of location, the majority of planners are sourcing for events in the home market (71 per cent) compared to 59 per cent which are sourcing for events abroad or both domestic and abroad.
Chris McAndrews, vice president of marketing for Cvent said: “With the return of leisure travel, hotels and venues have adapted their service offerings to ensure the safety and well-being of their guests. Now, as in-person events return and MICE business picks up, properties must once again adapt their service levels and offerings. It’s critical that hotels are visible to planners online – which is where they are sourcing – and that hoteliers can easily collaborate with planners in real-time in a virtual environment to streamline the sourcing and planning process – for both in-person and hybrid events.”
To download the full Cvent 2021 Planner Sourcing Report: Europe Edition, click here.
