Roughly 83 per cent of
event professionals plan to host at least three in-person events this year, according
to a new survey by meetings technology firm Bizzabo. Just under a quarter (24
per cent) plan to host at least 10.
And the steady return of
in-person meetings looks set to continue, with 85 per cent of event organisers
planning to host at least three in-person events next year, with 35 per cent
planning to host at least 10. Almost all, ninety-eight per cent, will organise
at least one in-person meeting.
Bizzabo surveyed more than
230 meeting professionals in June and July for its State of In-Person Events
report.
The results reflect a
steady return to in-person events, but with flexibility for attendees as
Bizzabo’s data also shows 68 per cent of organisers plan to have a virtual
component at their next in-person event.
Most respondents are
holding on to hybrid meeting options while building on the momentum of
returning to in-person events, as 53 per cent claimed to be ‘focused’ or ‘very
focused’ on a 2023 virtual event strategy.
That said, onsite meetings
and events remain a priority for organisers, with 72 per cent indicating
in-person events are a ‘crucial’ part of their organisation’s overall marketing
strategy, according to Bizzabo’s survey.
About 70 per cent of
respondents indicated their 2022 event budgets increased or held steady from
2021 levels.
Forty-five per cent of
respondents had trade shows and expos on their 2022 event roster. Industry
conferences and private events were a close second, each in the planning mix
for 43 per cent of respondents.
Attendee engagement,
robust attendance numbers, achieving budget, and ensuring Covid-19 safety were
the highest event priorities among the respondent base.
Bizzabo found 73 per cent
of event professionals were ‘ready’ or ‘very ready’ to return to in-person
events. Only 3 per cent were ‘not ready.’
The
trend towards more in-person events was mirrored at Bizzabo itself, which saw a
20 per cent increase in the number of events hosted on its platform, compared
to last year. Between January and September, the number of in-person events
held on Bizzabo’s platform rose by 724 per cent.
“In-person
events have returned this year, and their purpose has been elevated as
marketers bring a renewed focus on delivering meaningful experiences for those
gathering physically and virtually,” said Alon Alroy, CMO and co-founder of
Bizzabo.
