Delegates more reluctant to travel long distances 

MICE News
Thursday, 30 November 2023

A cost of living survey by UK-based venue Eastside Rooms’ reveals organisers are seeing significant changes in delegate behaviour due to financial challenges. 
 

In particular, 45 per cent have seen a growing reticence to travel long distances to attend meetings and events, causing the centrally-located UK venue to support organisers in their work to bring delegates back to face-to-face events.

A key finding from the report, completed in October, was that 83 per cent of organisers saw an increase in event costs last year. 

However, alongside the impact on the organisers, the survey also explored differences seen in attendee behaviour.

Overall, the results showed that 35 per cent of respondents are seeing a reluctance to attend events in person.  However, this figure jumps to 41 per cent when it is broken down to just look at associations/not for profits, compared to 25 per cent of corporates.  

Financial restrictions causing a reluctance to attend in person have in turn led to increased virtual attendance across the whole sector, with 36 per cent of all respondents seeing an increase in digital  attendance.  However, with greater numbers dropping out of in-person conference and events, it is no surprise that associations/not for profits are seeing their attendance increasing on line – 43 per cent compared to 25 per cent of corporates.

Looking more closely at the reasons for changing attendance, 38 per cent of corporates and 51 per cent of associations/not for profits say the challenge is delegates’ unwillingness to travel long distances.  

This is underpinned by 27 per cent of the respondents saying their delegates are reluctant to stay in hotels. 

Delegates more reluctant to travel long distances 

MICE News
Thursday, 30 November 2023

A cost of living survey by UK-based venue Eastside Rooms’ reveals organisers are seeing significant changes in delegate behaviour due to financial challenges. 
 

In particular, 45 per cent have seen a growing reticence to travel long distances to attend meetings and events, causing the centrally-located UK venue to support organisers in their work to bring delegates back to face-to-face events.

A key finding from the report, completed in October, was that 83 per cent of organisers saw an increase in event costs last year. 

However, alongside the impact on the organisers, the survey also explored differences seen in attendee behaviour.

Overall, the results showed that 35 per cent of respondents are seeing a reluctance to attend events in person.  However, this figure jumps to 41 per cent when it is broken down to just look at associations/not for profits, compared to 25 per cent of corporates.  

Financial restrictions causing a reluctance to attend in person have in turn led to increased virtual attendance across the whole sector, with 36 per cent of all respondents seeing an increase in digital  attendance.  However, with greater numbers dropping out of in-person conference and events, it is no surprise that associations/not for profits are seeing their attendance increasing on line – 43 per cent compared to 25 per cent of corporates.

Looking more closely at the reasons for changing attendance, 38 per cent of corporates and 51 per cent of associations/not for profits say the challenge is delegates’ unwillingness to travel long distances.  

This is underpinned by 27 per cent of the respondents saying their delegates are reluctant to stay in hotels.