The In-house Corporate Event (ICE) community has outlined a series of growing issues affecting corporate event organisers and some of the solutions they are turning to as planners come under increased pressure on time and budget.
The findings are bought to life in the annual trends report, commissioned by ICE, with the support of Cvent, and have far reaching consequences outside of the corporate event community. The research showed organisers expressing anxiety over budgetary restraints, sustainability, pay and their role within organisations, however it also showed them finding new answers through event technology and resources across the event industry.
The most consistent subject within the research concerned budgets, ranging from the need to stretch event budgets, to the costs of freelancers and remuneration for event professionals. Respondents all reported increasing fiscal pressure with inflation driving the cost of events up, while expectations also continue to rise. At the same time, a notable 52% of professionals expressed dissatisfaction with their current salaries.
Felicia Asiedu, Marketing Director Europe, Cvent added: “During a time when there are a wide variety of issues impacting the global economy, it is understandable that an industry such as ours would have its confidence shaken a little by situations beyond our control. However, the detailed report clearly demonstrates the resilience in the market, the positive outlooks held by so many individuals
and the desire to seek solutions. The doubling of lead times; the huge diversity in freelance skillsets; average salaries on the increase; events as part of the marketing mix; and event technology now considered a partner rather than a tool – all these can be seen as huge wins for a sector that is firmly on the rebound and looking at significant growth opportunities.”