Despite a negative mood among events suppliers and managers in 2010, a new study has revealed that business actually improved last year.
Grass Roots has published its latest industry report into the state of play in the meetings industry.
The report predicts a strong 2011, with an increase in the number of meetings being held and no fall in the number of overseas events taking place.
Nick Bender, Grass Roots’ global head of events, said: “The outlook for 2011 is upbeat with more meetings and, in spite of the widespread pessimism we saw across the industry last year, the true picture is that business actually increased across all venue types in 2010.
The report uses data from more than 60 industry associations, trade bodies and commercial companies, plus Grass Roots’ own client survey.
Some 40% of respondents to Grass Roots’ client survey said they expect the number of meeting held in 2011 to increase, compared to 2010, with the number of overseas events staying the same.
The clients also revealed that their budgets are being kept the same in a number of sectors, while in some markets budgets are increasing.
For example, banks’ graduate and training programmes is expected to double in size this year globally.
“In the early part of this year we have seen budgets increasing in a number of sectors, such as financial services, professional services and automotive,” added Bender.