Eight in 10 event planners across the UK and Europe are
currently sourcing in-person functions, showing growing confidence about
bringing people together following the pandemic, according to a report by
Cvent.
The Cvent 2021 Planner Sourcing Report: Europe Edition features
data from an August 2021 survey of 500 event planners, managers, coordinators
and directors across France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK by
independent research company Censuswide. It shows 81 per cent of those
organising events are doing so for 2021, with 63 per cent looking ahead to
2022.
Domestic events seem to be returning faster than global
functions, with 71 per cent of those polled sourcing in their home market
compared to only 59 per cent either abroad or both locally and internationally.
Nearly half (46 per cent) of respondents said they are
organising hybrid events with a mix of in-person and digital experiences. When
asked what venue offerings would influence their sourcing decision, 30 per cent
said they’re looking for hybrid-ready meeting spaces and studios and 29 per
cent want on-site production and technology expertise.
When asked to rate their level of confidence in their
ability to run hybrid events on a scale of one to 10, 40 per cent ranked
themselves between an eight and a 10, 58 per cent as between a four and a
seven, and only 2 per cent under a four.
However, some concerns remain about venue partners’ ability
to host hybrid events, with 44 per cent of planners listing room design and
configuration as a top priority, with 43 per cent closely considering venue
bandwidth and connectivity and 43 per cent wanting to drive in-person
attendance.
Priorities have changed for event planners since the start
of the pandemic, with 45 per cent of those surveyed saying enhancing safety precautions
such as on-site testing and social distancing protocols is one of the biggest
adjustments they are making to future in-person meetings. Forty per cent said
they are looking more towards outdoor space than previously.
To help them plan safer in-person events, 28 per cent of
respondents said they would like potential venues to provide details of their
space layouts and 27 per cent want room configuration tools to help them map
out seating plans and layouts.
Chris McAndrews, vice president of marketing for Cvent,
said: “…as in-person events return and MICE business picks up, properties must
once again adapt their service levels and offerings. It’s critical that hotels
are visible to planners online – which is where they are sourcing – and that
hoteliers can easily collaborate with planners in real-time in a virtual
environment to streamline the sourcing and planning process – for both
in-person and hybrid events.”