Survey will target a broad cross-section of global business events leaders as part of a year-long project to identify trends likely to shape the industry
FRANKFURT, GERMANY (15 May 2024) — The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition, and standards, today announced an ambitious survey of events industry leaders and meeting professionals as part of a year-long project examining the emerging issues and supporting trends that are most likely to shape the events industry in the years to come. The work will culminate with a comprehensive Futures Landscape Report, set to be released in Q4 2024.
The announcement comes during IMEX Frankfurt, where more than half of the EIC’s global membership will be participating in a workshop that will feed into the final survey.
The news also coincides with the release of EIC’s Q1 2024 Events Barometer, which points to a sustained recovery throughout the global business events industry. According to the latest report, which is created in partnership with Oxford Economics, group room nights saw a minor 1-point drop in Q1 2024, while RVP activity was on the rise. View the full report here.
The Future Landscape project aligns with EIC’s ongoing commitment to provide research, guidance and standards for the global business events sector.
“EIC is honoured to bring together our tremendous cross-section of members and partners to develop and deploy a report that will serve as a valuable resource for our global workforce,” said EIC President and Chief Executive Officer Amy Calvert. “While we recognise that our industry will continue to face disruptive forces, we believe this unified effort will equip us to be prepared for the activities that will shape society and business events in the years to come.”
The survey and eventual report will touch on diverse topics, including but not limited to political and geopolitical issues, economic trends, technology, safety and security, and environmental impact.
“Our global industry has proven to be extraordinarily resilient, and we believe in the need to proactively engage in creating future possibilities,” said EIC Board Chair Ana María Viscasillas, MBA, CDME, DES, CED, a business tourism strategist for the Global Visitors Economy and Board Liaison & Immediate Past Vice President for COCAL (Federación de Entidades Organizadoras de Congresos y Afines de Latino América). “Our collective work on the Futures Landscape project is designed to dynamically support our diverse stakeholders for our industry’s continued success.”
The project is supported by EIC’s APEX Critical Issues Working Group, led by Mike Dominguez, FASAE, CHSE, President and CEO of ALHI, and industry leaders representing all key sectors.
