Overall, meeting and event professionals expect a 19 percent spike in attendance in 2008. The finding was matched by a prediction that interest in webcasts and other compliments to live meetings will also rise, but clearly will not displace the strategic value of face-to-face meetings.

“FutureWatch 2008 is further evidence that there’s no substitute for the power of human connections through live interaction,” says Bruce MacMillan, president and CEO of MPI. “This year’s study showed that while meeting and event professionals are embracing technology, its greater role is in enhancing events, not replacing them.”

Among its chief findings, FutureWatch 2008 also found:

Rapid move toward globalization expected, not just discussed

• FutureWatch respondents expect their industry to globalize rapidly in the coming year. Twenty percent expect their organizations to extend their global reach in 2008, compared to less than one percent who foresee a decrease in globalization.
• At a time when MPI is extending its own presence in new regions of the world, 14 percent of respondents, including 16 percent in Canada and 31 percent in Europe, said they had seen increased interest in holding meetings in the Middle East.

Budget growth predicted despite worldwide economic concerns

• Among its economic findings, FutureWatch found all respondents expressed concern about an economic downturn in 2008. Despite this perception, corporate planners remain bullish on budget expectations, predicting a 27 percent rise in 2008. This may be an indication of a growing recognition of the value of meetings and events in the private sector.

Suppliers and independent planners may face talent shortages

• This year’s study found that talent shortages are roughly twice as important for suppliers and independent planners as they are for corporate and association planners, suggesting that concern over the ability to hire and retain qualified employees is gradually permeating the industry.
• In a related issue, less than one-fifth of meetings business is expected to be outsourced in 2008, but that total will still represent a 14 percent increase in volume.

Industry is going “green”

• FutureWatch also found that interest in environmental sustainability has not bypassed the meeting planning industry. A growing number of professionals, 19 percent overall, list conservation and environmental concerns among the top three trends affecting their work.

Notably, those interested in learning more about green meetings can attend MPI’s annual conference in Houston on February 2-5, 2008. More information related to the conference can be found at www.mpimeetdifferent.org.

Complete FutureWatch 2008 results detailing the economic, societal and travel industry trends expected to impact the meeting planning industry are available online at www.mpiweb.org or www.americanexpress.com/meetingsolutions.

About American Express

American Express Company is a leading global payments, network, travel and banking company founded in 1850. Merchant Services is the merchant network of American Express, which acquires and maintains relationships with millions of merchants around the globe, which welcome American Express-branded Cards.

About MPI

Meeting Professionals International, the global community for meeting and event professionals, provides innovative educational programs, creates rich connections and beneficial marketplace opportunities for its nearly 23,000 members. Founded in 1972, it has 68 chapters in 20 countries, with offices in Dallas, Luxembourg, Canada and Singapore. For more information, please visit www.mpiweb.org.