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As economic conditions continue to shift, companies across industries are being forced to rethink how they allocate resources — especially when it comes to staffing. The meetings industry, in particular, is feeling the pressure. Budget tightening, fluctuating demand and changing priorities mean that traditional approaches to building event teams might not be sustainable anymore.
This is where more agile models — such as pay-as-you-need staffing — are proving not only relevant, but essential.
The challenge of fixed costs in a fluid market
Traditional staffing models, whether through full-time employees or long-term contracts, come with inherent risk during uncertain times. According to Deloitte’s 2024 Global Human Capital Trends report, organizations are increasingly looking for ways to build workforce resilience by shifting from fixed to variable labor costs. For industries like events and hospitality, where demand can change month to month, this shift isn't just smart — it’s necessary.
“The modern contractor model allows us to scale resources efficiently, maintain financial oversight, and, most importantly, deliver services that align with our company’s core values,” says Kim Demus, manager of customer experience and design for a meetings and incentive company.
When organizations are locked into rigid hiring structures, they’re less able to respond to sudden changes — whether that’s a canceled event, a last-minute surge in attendance, or the need to downsize a project due to budget constraints.
A more adaptive model for meeting planning
Imagine this scenario: A corporate client is planning a high-stakes event in a tightening economy. Instead of hiring full-time staff or engaging an agency on retainer, they post the project on a freelance marketplace and quickly connect with vetted, experienced planners who are available exactly when needed. The client contracts only for the days the planner is required — no overhead, no long-term commitment.
This is the essence of the pay-as-you-need model. It gives organizations access to qualified talent on demand, with costs tied directly to use. In other words, they only pay for what they need, when they need it.
This approach not only offers immediate budget control but also supports better forecasting. Clients can scale up or down depending on project size, geographic location, or even short-term economic changes — all without sacrificing quality.
Financial control meets talent quality
A key benefit of this model is the combination of financial discipline and staffing flexibility. As the Harvard Business Review notes in "How to Build a Flexible Workforce," companies that embrace this structure can withstand economic downturns better and are often quicker to recover. With no upfront membership or placement fees, clients using freelancer platforms can experiment and adjust without financial friction.
But flexibility doesn't mean compromising on quality. In a curated marketplace, clients still gain access to a deep bench of professionals — from planners to coordinators — who bring years of industry expertise, without the price tag of a long-term hire.
Meeting professionals also win
The benefits aren't one-sided. Freelance planners benefit from access to a steady stream of clients without being tied to rigid, full-time roles — an arrangement that has grown increasingly attractive. A 2023 report by McKinsey & Co. estimated that up to 36 percent of the U.S. workforce now engages in some form of independent work, much of it by choice. As the market becomes more fluid, the workforce does, too.
Looking ahead
In a time where agility is the new currency, organizations that embrace flexible-staffing models are better equipped to adapt, survive and even thrive.
The pay-as-you-need model doesn’t just reflect a smarter financial approach, it represents a shift in how we think about workforce strategy. For the meetings industry, it’s a path forward that aligns with today’s realities and tomorrow’s possibilities.
Lana Wos is manager of customer success for Cadre, a marketplace of meetings industry freelancers looking for gig work.