Eastside Rooms responds to research showing that 51% of association and 38% of corporate delegates unwilling to travel long distances for events
provided by Adam Baggs, Eastside Room PR representative
edited by Marlena Sullivan
The Eastside Rooms’ cost of living impact survey reveals that organizers are seeing significant changes in delegate behavior due to financial challenges. In particular, 45% have seen a growing reticence to travel long distances to attend meetings and events, causing the centrally located UK venue to support organizers in their work to bring delegates back to face-to-face events.
The Eastside Rooms, a leading, modern venue in the heart of England, conducted a survey of 125* event professionals from around the world in October 2023 to identify challenges and opportunities faced due to economic challenges.
A key finding from the report was that 83% of organizers saw an increase in event costs last year. However, alongside the impact on the organizers, the survey also explored differences seen in attendee behavior.
Overall, the results showed that 35% of respondents are seeing a reluctance to attend events in person. However, this figure jumps significantly to 41% when it is broken down to just look at associations and not-for-profits, compared to 25% of corporates.
Financial restriction causing a reluctance to attend in person has in turn led to increased virtual attendance across the whole sector, with 36% of all respondents seeing an increase in digital attendance. However, with greater number dropping out of in-person conference and events, it is no surprise that associations and not-for-profits are seeing their attendance increasing online – 43% compared to 25% of corporates.
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“It is clear the industry continues to evolve through the current economic challenges faced by associations, not-for-profits, and corporates. Delegate needs and opinions are a key part of those changes, and everyone involved in event delivery, from organizers and the supply chain needs to understand these shifts in opinion,” comments Leanne Bladen, Director of Sales & Marketing at The Eastside Rooms. “We undertook this survey to ensure we are delivering the best possible service and offering for our clients. The output has been incredibly powerful, and we are considering many of the key findings in our ongoing communication and activity with our clients, in particular focusing on ways to draw delegates back to live events, whilst demonstrating how easy we are to reach.”
For the full report, please contact Eastside Rooms.
About this Survey
*The Eastside Rooms surveyed 125 event professionals in October 2023. During the survey they were asked what type of organization they worked for; these were combined into two groups as follows:
- Association, charity/not for profit, government/public sector and agencies focused on these sectors. Total – 80 respondents – described as associations/not for profits above
- Corporate company 500 or more employees, corporate company less that 500 employees, agencies focused on the corporate sector. Total – 40 respondents – described as corporates above
- The remaining 5 responses were excluded as industry suppliers
69% of the respondents were from the UK, 19% from Europe and the remaining 12% from the rest of the world.
For more information about The Eastside Rooms and its commitment to sustainability, please visit https://eastsiderooms.com
