Meetings and events professionals are optimistic about the industry in the coming year, especially with the expanded use of AI technology, according to a new survey.
The 2025 Global Meetings and Events Forecast, released in October by Amex GBT Meetings & Events, is based on surveys and interviews with more than 500 meeting professionals. Overall, their outlook is positive: 66 percent of respondents said they anticipated increased budgets in 2025. Much of that good feeling is buoyed by the post-pandemic growth in in-person meetings: 59 percent of respondents say in-person meetings are their preferred choice.
Much of the investment planners intend to make are focused on technology, with a particular emphasis on AI, according to the report. Ariana Reed, Director of Global Strategic Partnerships at Amex GBT, said that "teams are focused on optimizing and assessing current technology to ensure teams are upskilled... Additionally, we are constantly piloting and testing new technologies, mainly AI-centered at this time, to support registration and event communications but also to create efficiencies in the sourcing and planning process."
Please select this link to read the complete article from Associations Now.