The Business of Events (TBOE) has released its latest annual International Planner Sentiment Report for 2024, created in partnership with Meet in Ireland and IBTM World.

The annual report, which was first published in 2020, uses desk-based research to track the sentiment of planners in ten specific areas to determine the key factors influencing their choice of destination. The audiences surveyed include planners from corporate, association, agency and incentive and reward across the United Kingdom (UK), Europe and North America. The 2024 study was conducted over a three-week period between April 22nd – May 10th, 2024.

Key findings in this year’s report include:

• Cost and value for money have all tracked one point higher in every region surveyed, reflecting increased event costs and pressure on overall budgets through higher inflation.
• The increase in importance of Destination Brand, again up one point overall, also reflects the need for a more personalized experience for brands and delegates.
• Equity and Diversity, also tracking higher, although more so across the UK and Europe, reflects an increase in the wider conversation around DEI issues.

Perhaps the biggest and most surprising change in this year’s report, is the reduction in importance of sustainability as a key decision factor, with this tracking around 1.5 points lower on average across the UK and Europe. The report’s authors explain that the reduction might be the result of “sustainability fatigue,” due to the focus on the topic in recent years, as well as the feeling on the part of the planners that strong sustainability practices, particularly in venues, should be a regular utility.

“Our International Planner Sentiment Report continues to be used by marketers and sales teams across the world to fine tune strategies and messaging and to increase competitive advantage. Once again, the report has shone a strong light on those factors that are influencing destination choice. While cost, brand and diversity have all increased in importance, it is becoming clear that sustainability, while still an extremely important topic, is becoming much more of an expected requirement rather than something which is seen as value added,” said Martin Fullard, director of News & Content at The Business of Events.

It can be downloaded at https://the-business-of-events.com/tboe-planner-sentiment-report-2024/