2019 Global Meetings and Events Forecast

2019 Global Meetings and Events Forecast

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Contents

Executive Summary

5

2019 Global Meeting Activity

10

A Fresh Design

10

A Global Perspective

10

Meeting Attendees

12

Meeting Length

13

Cost Per Attendee

13

Overall Meeting Spend

15

Hotels & Meeting Space

16

Global Air

18

2019 Global Trends

21

Destination Selection

21

Meeting Approvals

21

Attendee Experience

23

Meetings Technology

24

Meetings Management

25

Trends by Region

28

North America

29

Meetings Activity

29

Meetings Budgets and Planning 31

Meeting Location

32

Europe

34

Meetings Activity

34

Meetings Budget and Planning

36

Meeting Location

38

Asia Pacific

39

Meetings Activity

39

Meetings Budget and Planning

41

Meeting Location

43

Central & South America

44

Meetings Activity

44

Meetings Budget and Planning

46

Meeting Location

47

Special Sections

49

Latin America Destination Report 50

The Future of Personalisation

60

Meetings Legal Trends

65

Data Tables

70

Global

71

Meeting Activity

71

Hotels and Meeting Space

74

Air

78

Trends

81

Regional

86

North America

86

Europe

91

Asia Pacific

95

Central and South America

99

Contributors

103

2019 GLOBAL MEETINGS & EVENTS FORECAST 3

This report contains confidential and proprietary information of ? 2018 GBT Travel Services UK Limited trading as American Express Global Business Travel (GBT), and may not be copied, reproduced, modified, distributed, transferred or disclosed in whole or in part to any third parties without prior written consent of GBT or as otherwise permitted by law. The information contained in this report is prepared from sources and data which we believe to be reliable, but we make no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and we assume neither responsibility nor liability for any damages of any type resulting from any errors or omissions. The report is provided solely for informational purposes and is not to be construed as providing advice, recommendations, endorsements, representations or warranties of any kind whatsoever. Opinions and analysis contained in this report represent the opinions and analysis of American Express Meetings & Events (a division of GBT) and do not represent the opinions or analysis of GBT, American Express Company or any of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries or divisions (including, without limitation, American Express Global Business Travel).

The 2019 Global Meetings and Events Forecast is the independent collaborative work of American Express Meetings & Events personnel and subject matter and industry experts. The advertising within the 2019 Global Meetings and Events Forecast was sold and managed independently of the creation of the 2019 Global Meetings and Events Forecast and has no bearing on the content contained within the 2019 Global Meetings and Events Forecast.

"American Express Meetings & Events" is a service provided by American Express Global Business Travel (GBT). Banks Sadler is wholly owned by GBT. GBT is a joint venture that is not wholly owned by American Express Company or any of its subsidiaries (American Express). "American Express Global Business Travel", "American Express" and the American Express logo are trademarks of American Express, and are used under limited license. Please note that all information stated within the 2019 Global Meetings and Events Forecast is based on a survey distributed by American Express Meetings & Events to industry professionals and suppliers during the months of June and July.

4 AMERICAN EXPRESS MEETINGS & EVENTS

Executive Summary

Settling Into a New Normal

Dear Readers,

Welcome to our eighth annual Global Meetings and Events Forecast. We've transformed the Forecast for 2019, shifting the look and feel to continue to bring you the most comprehensive data set about the industry while increasing the readability. Each section now comes with an easy-to-digest infographic and brief overview. For data lovers, a comprehensive set of data tables with conclusions is available in the appendix. We believe this shift represents the best of both worlds. We hope you agree.

Our 2019 Forecast reveals that we are settling into a new normal as an industry, with consistent positive increases in both spend and attendees for the last four years. Just ten years ago, the meetings industry experienced a dramatic slowdown. What we see today is an environment where meetings are thriving, and incentives have not just come back, but continue to grow. More importantly, meetings are playing a central role in the revenue and brand equations for corporations and associations.

While the events of ten years ago are interesting to reflect upon, the events of the last twelve months are equally interesting. Consolidation across hotel and technology suppliers continues, driving shifts in choice and putting increased pressure on meeting owners and planners. Equally, we see the rise of new players and independents who are leveraging technology to gain a competitive advantage in this increasingly consolidated environment. It makes for an interesting dynamic that is allowing us collectively to make forward strides against some long-term challenges in the industry, including live inventory for small and simple meetings, and increased opportunities for attendee engagement.

ISSA JOUANEH,

Senior Vice President and General Manager, American Express Meetings & Events

2019 GLOBAL MEETINGS & EVENTS FORECAST 5

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