Big trends in event planning for 2013

New study highlights latest trends in event planning which has highlighted environmental awareness, new audio visual technology and an increased focus on location as some of the big trends for 2013.

Destination Hotels & Resorts (American company) recently surveyed more than 300 event planners in order to compile its inaugural state of the meeting industry report.

The study found that overall; businesses are more likely to begin hosting more events this year with bigger budgets, as the global economic situation calms down.

According to the report, more than 30 percent of the event planners surveyed said that they expected the amount of events they were arranging for 2013 to increase, while many also said that they felt budgets have stabilised.

"In almost every segment, we’re seeing positive indicators that 2013 will be a growth year for groups and events," said vice president of sales and marketing of Destination Hotels & Resorts.

The report also found that many event planners are expecting technology to play a bigger part in business meetings in 2013, with more than a third of respondents saying that they had seen a general increase in the amount of technology being integrated during events over the last year.

One major indicator of how quickly the technology needs are growing is the impact on budgets.

There is a need for meeting planners to create a 'technology' budget to account for the business group's needs. It’s also been great to see how groups are using technology to supplement the meeting, rather than replace them.

Another interesting shift in event planning trends identified in the study was that location is now playing a bigger factor in determining which venue is selected for a particular event.

When asked what were the most important aspects to consider when selecting the right venue for a business event, the majority of meeting planners surveyed highlighted location ahead of other factors such as rates, flexibility of space and amenities.

45 percent of surveyed planners also said that eco-friendly practices were a "somewhat important" consideration in venue choice, while 18 percent said that environmental awareness was "extremely important".

Other big trends which Destination Hotels & Resorts highlighted for business events in 2013 were culinary offerings and the availability of team-building adventure activities.

Research courtesy of Pro Light & Sound