Corporate event planning is moving earlier and getting more complex, according to a new Booking.com for Business report on 2026 trends.
Booking.com for Business says companies are investing more in live events again, while keeping virtual access as part of the standard format. The report forecasts the corporate events market will reach $595 billion by 2029 and says 74 percent of Fortune 1000 companies plan to increase event budgets in 2025.
For organizers and exhibitors, the most immediate signal is timing. Booking.com for Business says booking lead times for large convention venues have extended to 18 to 24 months, reducing flexibility and pushing earlier budget and destination commitments.
Format expectations are also settling into a new baseline. The report says 80 percent of planners now host or plan hybrid events as a core format, and 61 percent of organizers find hybrid events more cost-effective than in-person-only programs. Production is a growing focus, with 60 percent of planners citing advanced audiovisual (A/V) as a top priority as experience costs rise.
Resourcing is another theme with direct on-site implications. Booking.com for Business says 66 percent of event planners outsource at least part of event management, leaning on specialist suppliers for A/V production, event technology, sustainability compliance, and on-site execution. The report also says 90 percent of planners are considering secondary markets as a cost-saving alternative.
Sustainability remains a stated requirement, with 83 percent of planners considering it when planning events. Technology use is rising, too, with 58 percent of event professionals reporting increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation.
Nadine Blokker, a Booking.com for Business expert, urges planners to “book early and strategically” and to “leverage corporate travel management tools” to coordinate travel, manage expenses, and streamline itineraries.
Image: Foot traffic builds on the CES Unveiled show floor in 2026. CES courtesy photo.
