Meeting Professionals International Releases First Edition of Report Predicting Future Meeting Trends
February 17, 2014
Meeting Professionals International released the first edition of its new Meetings OutlookTM, a quarterly report offering a unique perspective on the future of the meeting and event industry with information provided by more than 5,000 MPI members, including 700 senior meeting professionals on MPI's Business Research Panel.
The report covers new trends, as well as innovations on the horizon and replaces the bi-monthly Business Barometer previously published by MPI.
Meetings Outlook is available for free for both MPI members and non-members, making it more accessible to the broader meeting and event community and beyond.
Also, the new report's survey questions focus on what is coming down the road, rather than presenting an assessment of the current business environment.
"MPI spent months conducting research, analyzing the results and designing the Meetings Outlook," said Christian Savelli, senior director of business intelligence at MPI. "This new report is more comprehensive and insightful, and we believe meeting and event professionals will find it to be a valuable resource for strategic business planning."
The 2014 winter edition of the Meetings Outlook predicts increasing attention to meeting design, hybrid and virtual meetings, social media, tech innovations and the overall health of the meeting and event industry.
One of the findings of the report concluded: "In what appears to be a leading indicator of an economic recovery, U.S. and Canadian meeting professionals forecast a 5 percent improvement in overall business conditions in the coming year, according to the meeting professionals surveyed for this report. European meeting and event professionals expect to see a 4 percent improvement."
In addition, U.S. meeting professionals expect a 3.9 percent increase in meeting attendance and a 2.4 percent hike in budgets. Meanwhile, in Europe, meeting professionals forecast a 2.4 percent rise in attendance and a 1.6 percent increase in budgets.
Forty-five percent of the respondents said they saw their budgets increasing, for another 40 percent it was staying the same and 15 percent were seeing budget decreases.
Technology also was a major focus in the report, with 54 percent of the meeting professionals who responded indicating they had used virtual or hybrid event solutions.
Social media still seems to be vexing for some, with 16 percent saying they don’t have a social media strategy at all, 48 percent saying they adopted to new options and techniques and 25 percent saying they had a clear social media strategy.
MPI members will receive a printed copy of the Meetings Outlook in the mail each quarter in The Meeting ProfessionalTM magazine. The 2014 winter edition was mailed with the February issue of the magazine, and a digital copy is also available online at www.mpiweb.org/meetingsoutlook.
Partner Voices
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New Wave Experiences
Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024.
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Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space.
Refreshing New Design & Fine Art
The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights.
Sustainable Spectacles
Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles.
The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.
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