Meeting Professionals International (MPI) recently released its Q1 2024 Meetings Outlook Report, a highly anticipated guide for forecasting for the year. And the tone is upbeat with more than three quarters of planners expecting an encouraging climate for the year ahead. “That’s up 6% over last quarter, but down 9% compared to this time last year. Meanwhile, in what most deem to be a seller’s market, attendance projections continue to mirror the overall business conditions results, with 18% expecting an increase in live attendance over the next year of more than 10%, nearly 21% projecting a 6% to 10% increase, and nearly 38% expecting an increase of less than 5%,” according to the report.

Other notable insights from the report include:

  • Virtual attendance projections remain stable, with 18% of respondents saying they expect favorable virtual attendance over the next year. It’s hovered around 17% or 18% for the past four quarters. Significantly, however, nearly 49% expect virtual attendance to decline in the coming year.
  • Spending on meetings is increasing, with budget projections inching up slightly. Approximately, 72% of respondents expect favorable changes over the next year. As a result, many meeting professionals are embracing the relationship side of the business.
  • Many are facing significant cost increases, putting the onus on planners to manage costs. The top areas in which planners have made major cuts are:
    • Entertainment
    • Promotional products
    • Destination choice
    • Hotel or venue choice
    • Contractors
    • Audiovisual

    To download the report, visit mpi.org/media/meetings-outlook.