American Express study show business events re-boot

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MEETINGS are expected to play a crucial part of a return to business fundamentals in 2015, helping to drive industry longevity, according to the American Express Meetings & Events 2015 Global Meetings and Events Forecast.

The meetings industry has been enduring a lengthy period of economic recovery, but global meeting budgets in 2015 are likely to show positive movement, either through growth or less of a decline than was seen previously, according to American Express (Amex). 
The report showed across the Asia Pacific region meeting activity was varied and attendee levels range from stable to moderately reduced. Meeting owners are leaning toward fewer and shorter meetings overall, which are expected to take place in large cities in 2015, with Singapore the number one meeting destination in the region.
“The meeting industry overall appears to be very much back in business, in particular as a key component of sales and marketing strategies for many organisations," American Express Meetings and Events vice president and general manager, Issa Jouaneh said.

“The last few years have given focus to meetings and events in a way that has driven a more disciplined approach around approvals processes, increased scrutiny on spend and a larger focus around accountability and expected outcomes for meetings.”

This latest edition of Amex’s Global Meetings Forecast breaks down predictions by meeting type to provide more insight into the purpose of meetings and where business priorities lie. In Asia Pacific region, high-level board meetings, internal team meetings and sales and marketing meetings are expected to be the focus.

www.americanexpress.com/Australia

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Acumen subscribers can click here to read an extended report on the American Express Meetings & Events 2015 Global Meetings & Events Forecast, including 2015 forecasts for Europe, Asia Pacific and North, South and Central America.