A research report on meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions, written by industry analyst Rob Davidson and launched at the EIBTM European trade show this year, found that global geopolitics, the economy, demographic trends, and lifestyle changes are changing the face of the MICE industry.
Among the study’s findings:
-Family-friendly events will continue to be in high demand. The study quotes a recent report from the Travel Industry Association of America, which found a 55 percent increase over six years in the number of business travelers who bring the kids.
-The graying of the population equals a graying of conferees. The over-50 crowd continues to grow, while the under-30 demographic is shrinking. What used to be retirement age also is shifting upward, which means more over-60s are still active in the work force and actively in need of continuing professional education.
-Female attendees are a rapidly increasing meeting demographic, but everything from food to entertainment is still being chosen based on male preferences.