Knowland and ConferenceDirect Release 2023 State of the Meetings Industry Report

Survey reveals key insights to help industry professionals understand the state of the meetings industry from a planner and event manager perspective

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 19, 2022 — Today, Knowland, the world’s leading provider of data-as-
a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, and ConferenceDirect, a full-service
global meetings solution company, announced the results of a survey entitled, 2023 State of the
Meetings Industry. The collaboration reveals insights to help industry professionals understand
what meeting planners and event managers expect and will prioritize in 2023.

Meeting volumes continued to rise in 2022, attendance is nearing 2019 levels, and COVID is no
longer a concern for most. Cost leveling, the return of business travel, and budget increases will
support the recovery’s home stretch. However, with the recovery also comes new challenges.
Staff shortages and inquiry backlogs impact planners’ satisfaction with hotels and venues.
Meanwhile, rising costs may cause planners to change their approach, including looking at new
destinations. Highlights from the survey include:

•  Attendee size is no longer a major challenge, and meeting volumes continue to
rise – More than 70 percent of 2022 events had attendance at, or above, 80 percent
of 2019 levels. Seventy-five percent of planners don’t expect the number of events
and meetings to drop.
•  Staff shortages and inquiry backlogs are impacting service standards; rising
costs redefine goals – Less than 22 percent of planners are very or extremely
satisfied with the response they get from hotels/venues. Fluctuations in the industry
service levels and rising costs of up to 50 percent are causing organizers to redefine
event strategies and goals, including profitability.
•  Technology and diversity, equity, and inclusion key trends – Using technology
to enhance the attendee experience is top of mind for planners. It remains a key
trend, followed closely by a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion and a more
casual meeting atmosphere.

Jeff Bzdawka, CEO, Knowland, said: “While we have a way to go yet, the light is definitely
shining bright towards a clearer sense of normalcy for our industry. As attendees are more
selective about how they invest their time, the style and character of meetings are changing. So
responding to these key trends and unique insights into what meeting planners need to be
successful must be considered as we head into a year of greater profitability and positivity.”

Larry Hanson, chief marketing officer, ConferenceDirect, said: “Even as fluctuations in the
industry and rising costs are causing organizers to redefine event goals, meeting planners are
evolving their strategies to meet these challenges head-on. Our survey reveals that it is up to
the venues to match those efforts through partnering on elevated meeting experience, meeting
incentives, and flexible contract terms.”

ABOUT KNOWLAND
Knowland is the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events
for hospitality. With the industry's largest historical database of actualized events, thousands of
customers trust Knowland to sell group smarter and maximize their revenue. Knowland
operates globally and is headquartered just outside Washington, DC. To learn more about our
solutions, visit www.knowland.com or follow us on Twitter @knowlandgroup.

About ConferenceDirect
ConferenceDirect is a full-service global meetings solution company whose portfolio of services
includes: Virtual/ Hybrid Meetings, Site Selection & Contract Negotiation, Conference
Management, Housing & Registration Services, Event Technology, Strategic Meetings
Management Programs, Incentive Programs, Sustainable Meeting Strategy and Planning,
Cruise Services and Marketing Support. Our 400+ Associates manage over 13,000 meetings,
conferences, and events for more than 4400 customers. For more information, visit
www.conferencedirect.com.