The need for connectivity, the growing influence of wellness initiatives and the increasing pervasiveness of smartphones are just a few top meeting trends highlighted by Benchmark Hospitality International, which operates 40 hotels, resorts and conference centers.
Here is Benchmark’s complete list of meeting predictions for 2015:
1. Integrating adventure and inspiration
Meeting professionals today are seeking to deliver unique, creative experiences and more “ROE” (return on experience) as well as ROI with their planning and programing activities. Team-building and rich meeting destination immersion that extends beyond the four walls of a hotel, resort or conference center are in demand.
2. Happy days are here
All indicators point to 2015 being a great year for the meetings business. Group demand is strong, and rates — especially during peak periods — are trending up.
3. Get social
Social media and the meetings business are now indelibly partnered, primarily through LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and smartphone apps. Facebook is still more of a personal communications platform, with planners and suppliers using LinkedIn to communicate meeting agendas and logistics and utilizing specialized smart phone apps, Twitter and Instagram to communicate and solicit participants’ ideas and feedback during and after a meeting.
4. Connectivity
Powerful and reliable Wi-Fi is absolutely essential to win meetings business today. Optimized bandwidth is extremely important as most conferees come with one or two iPads, business and personal smartphones, laptops and more.
5. The smart set
Smartphones drive everything about meetings today — from an advance virtual tour of hotel and meeting facilities via FaceTime to communicating agenda and destination information through specialized apps.
6. Customization
Today the complete meeting package (CMP) essentially no longer exists. Every package is completely customized to the planner’s exact needs and specifications.
7. Top meeting producers for 2015
Active meeting market segments contributing significant volume in 2015 include education, associations, finance, health care, pharmaceutical, energy-related, insurance and especially technology.
8. Winning the business with wellness
Bringing chefs into the decision-making process with menu customization to maximize and sustain energy levels, accommodate dietary preferences and consider allergy awareness has become a significant part of the meeting planning process.
9. The 21st-century meeting environment
High-end boutique and personal luxury properties are now sought-after venues for important and especially high-level meetings.
10. Space demand
For those meetings looking for more traditional conference venues, space clearly rules. Those conference facilities offering vast meeting space both inside and out are in high demand for midlevel and traditional training meetings.