Northstar-PULSE Survey July 2021

BVEP Partner, VB reports on interesting findings from the latest survey of 414 respondents conducted from 22 June to 7 July by NORTHSTAR Meeting Gropus - The Future of Meetings and Events in the esa of COVID-19' released on 9th July 2021:

• Face-to-face meetings are the primary focus for meeting planners who have shifted towards researching, sourcing and booking new meetings and events. For the first time since March 2020, more planners (30%) are booking new events than rescheduling events (18%). Of note, 13% of planners are still not currently working on any in-person events, which is up two points since May. This suggests that business conditions – though improved – remain challenging. A major concern is inadequate staffing at hotels and venues. And, as a growing number of planners adopt a hybrid approach to meetings, less flexible contract terms is also of concern.

• This current cycle's PULSE Survey added several new questions about hybrid meetings in an attempt to understand the interest and rationale for hybrid platforms as in-person events recover. A steady increase in hybrid meetings is evident with 40% up from 36% in May. Planners want to be able to accommodate those who can’t or don’t want to attend live events, and to expand overall participation, a trend seen with virtual events.

• Staffing Is the biggest concern of nearly 50% of respondents. This has surpassed all other worries addressed in the PULSE Survey, including fear of contagion, budgets and government mandates.

Please download report below.

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