The need to fill vacancies and train staff in new skills is
putting a break on the recovery of international meeting venues, a new report
has found.
The latest quarterly Meeting Room of the Future
barometer, by IACC, is a mixed bag of positivity and caution as meeting venue repair
the damage of Covid-19.
IACC is the UK-based international association
representing the ‘top one per cent of small to medium-sized conference and
meeting venues’ in the world.
Issues such as rehiring and reskilling the venue workforce
continue to cause venues to place limits on business before reaching usual
capacity, according to the barometer.
This latest report also highlights several other key
findings including streamlining the sales process for smaller events and
automating sales through online bookings.
Mark Cooper, CEO of IACC, said: "The start of 2022 has
shown some excellent progress in recovery however, there are still some key
areas where venues need support, particularly in staffing. IACC will support
its members and community over the next year, by providing important personal
and professional development opportunities as the industry continues to repair
the skills and knowledge shortfall that exist."
Susan Liston, SVP growth at Aramark Destinations, said: “We find
buyer confidence has been increasing over the past 12 months but hasn’t
reached 2019 spending levels in the corporate, education, and other
non-affinity segments. Lead times are consistently shorter for small to
mid-size meetings with more emphasis on regionality in the selection of a
location or venue. With the increased price of airfare, car rental, and
fuel, planners are looking to “hub” locations near their attendees to
reduce both travel time and cost. Hybrid technology is especially relevant
for small sessions or board meetings but we’re finding more attendees want
to connect in-person and enjoy networking."
The report concludes by saying that many respected economists
predict a mild recession by the end of 2023 and explores what this may mean for
its members.
"The challenges of managing supply chain disruptions,
wild pricing swings and job vacancies experienced today, may well shift to
the more predictable, yet still damaging effects a recession has on
business events and business travel" it says. "IACC members
around the globe will have one eye on delivering services and
repairing financial wounds in 2022, and the other on watching for first
signs of a slowing economy on their buyers’ booking meetings."
To download the full report visit the IACC Meeting Room of the Future website. The
next quarterly IACC Meeting Room of the future Barometer will be released in
November 2022.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
