Limited meeting budgets, time pressures, organizational issues, lack of creativity from hotels, complex and costly catering, the desire for more enriching experiences and resistance to change -- these are among the major pain points of the meetings industry in 2019, according to a new survey just released by the Teneo Hospitality Group.
THG surveyed 150 meeting planners and hoteliers on the biggest challenges they faced in effectively competing in today’s changing and complicated marketplace to garner their results. According to the data, all surveyed identified limited meetings budgets
and lack of time as their biggest issues.
“‘Many of these challenges – and their solutions – are interdependent,” said Teneo president Mike Schugt. He noted that meeting professionals indicated they
have concerns within their organization and corporate cultures that have contributed to resistance to change, resulting in negatively impacted budgets.
Following is a breakdown of the survey results.
Top 5 Challenges in the Meetings Industry
1. Budget Restrictions
Meeting planners cited rising costs -- especially concerning food and beverage -- with no comparable increase in budgets as one of their biggest hurdles. And despite a strong economy, many survey respondents reported budget cuts.
According to the survey, planners suggested that the inability to obtain adequate funding reflected a lack of understanding of the profound changes in the meetings industry that demanded more investment. The needs of attendees are very different today,
and lean toward requiring a high degree of technical services, greater engagement and more entertaining activities -- requirements that are difficult to meet on a tight budget.
2. Lack of Time
Time pressures impact every business and organization, but some concerns have particular ramifications for the meetings industry.
- Virtually all survey responders cited a lack of time and identified challenges with far-reaching consequences;
- Hoteliers and planners noted that they often lacked the time to keep up with technical developments;
- Respondents worried that the overwhelming details of day-to-day work left little time for long-term planning; and
- And the top time waster? Too many unnecessary e-mails.
3. Staying on top of Tech Trends
With meetings industry tech advancing constantly, staying current
and knowledgeable of technology’s impact on event productivity can be a job in and of itself. Realizing that millennial attendees are way ahead in technical knowledge can also put pressure on planners, and makes choosing event apps and carrying the
weight of millennials' expectations very intimidating. According to survey results, planners suggest that even leadership within select organizations don’t always seem to grasp how technology is revolutionizing the meetings experience today.
4. Lack of Creativity
Big brand hotels’ corporate bureaucracy partially accounts for planners’ demand for greater creativity in the meeting process, and a far more flexible business environment. Larger hotel brands often have corporate policies that might place limits on pushing the boundaries of creating the ultimate meeting experiences.
But planners can't ignore the need for innovation and original entertainment and content at events, imaginative use of technology, effective team-building exercises, new experiences in even the most tried-and-true destinations, and diverse, sustainable and healthy food.
5. Increasing Complexity and Rising Costs of Food and Beverage
As the population becomes more diverse, food preferences and
dietary requirements have become more complicated. Similarly, a heightened awareness of wellness and sustainability issues add to a mix that could become more problematic and costlier.
Paleo, keto, pescatarian, vegan and religious dietary requests are among
the trends in conference dining in 2019. Respondents called for help managing management of food ordering to keep costs down and eliminate waste.