Geopolitical tensions, climate risks, rising costs and advances in artificial intelligence will shape how organisations meet in 2027, according to the latest trends report by BCD Meetings & Events.
The report, published on Wednesday (28 October), predicts risk management will feature more prominently in meeting and event planning in 2027, with earlier involvement from legal, security, procurement and travel-risk stakeholders amid increased cost pressures and geopolitical disruption.
BCD expects some organisations to protect flagship events and cut lower-value meetings, while others will sharpen focus on regional formats, local delivery and more flexible contracts to manage costs and risk.
“Across both approaches, scrutiny will increase, with event teams expected to show that an experience was delivered well and advanced a business priority,” the report said.
AI will help M&E teams navigate these pressures, according to BCD, with “disciplined use” expected to streamline workflows and speed-up decision-making processes.
“Cutting through the hype around AI matters,” said BCD M&E’s SVP of global technology and products, Ted Stone. “The real question is not whether we are using AI, but how it drives measurable business outcomes."
The report also warns of the ‘hidden cost of AI’: consumption-based charges for large language models and agentic tools, and ‘agentic flooding’ as employees and attendees generate more requests and personalised demands.
Real-time event ‘intelligence’ – including live polling, audience participation and networking data – will increasingly inform event design and delivery and help meetings professionals measure ROI.
The report cites a first-quarter BCD M&E survey of 240 global meetings and events stakeholders in which more than a third identified "demonstrating ROI and value" as a challenge. With limited scope for budget increases in 2027, BCD forecasts M&E teams will face greater pressure to show business value in the year ahead.
“Stakeholders need a clear narrative that explains the significance of the data, the implications for the organisation and the opportunities it creates,” the report said. “The most valuable measurement programs translate event activity into business context.”
Climate resilience will also influence event timing, destination choice and operational safeguards, according to BCD.
Climate concerns should be treated “as a core planning variable, not a secondary sustainability concern,” the report said. Severe weather and resource pressures will continue to affect attendee wellbeing, transport and event continuity.
Regional outlook
Demand for meetings and events across EMEA remains resilient, but the operating environment is “uneven”, BCD said. Regulatory uncertainty and rising energy costs will likely weigh on budgets in some European markets, while government-led defence spending could support growth.
Technology, life sciences, defence, financial services, manufacturing, engineering and automotive sectors will remain “important sources of demand”.
In the Middle East, destinations including Dubai and Abu Dhabi are expected to face continued challenges from conflict and regional instability.
UK demand is expected to remain resilient, though weak economic growth will put pressure on budgets, BCD said. Corporates will likely place greater scrutinity on third-party spending and seek longer-term commercial commitments, where a focus on return on experience (ROE) will be increasingly tied to commercial outcomes.
North American budgets are expected to remain “broadly flat” in 2027. Visa policies, cross-border travel conditions and perceptions of US-bound meetings could affect international attendance. Agency consolidation, selective outsourcing and flexible external expertise will likely shape sourcing, according to the report.
Meetings and events in APAC will likely face “strong variation” between mature premium hubs and fast-developing markets. Airfares remain a key cost concern in this region, while food waste is gaining attention in destinations where banqueting is central to events.
The outlook for LATAM is “cautiously positive”, though economic and political conditions will likely shape decisions and lead times, BCD said. Demand in Argentina could become “more cautious” in the second half of 2027 amid uncertainty linked to presidential elections. Meanwhile, agency consolidation and competition from new local players is expected to continue across the region.