A recent survey by our sister magazine, Special Events, found half of the companies surveyed scheduling the same size and caliber of events in 2002 as in 2001. Thirty percent are staging larger events, and 20 percent are staging smaller events this year. Forty percent are holding more events in 2002 than 2001; 20 percent fewer; and 40 percent say things are about the same.
Special event budgets per guest are higher in 2002 than 2001, according to half of respondents. Thirty percent are spending more per guest in 2002; 20 percent are spending less.
The desire to market product to customers is the trend having the biggest impact on special events, followed by (in order): the desire to educate employees; the individual company’s financial situation and post-9/11 sentiments (tie); the desire to boost employee morale and the desire to thank customers (tie); and the sluggish economy.
For more survey results, see the October issue of Corporate Meetings & Incentives.