The research showed that respondents rated the content of an event and the cost of attending it as less important than the appeal of the destination and the venue. These results may reflect the many different types of events that respondents were responsible for, which include incentives.
 
Location was the top factor influencing venue selection, followed by price/value for money, and quality of service is the next most important factor. Another curious thing about the research was that speakers were considered far less important to delegates. And despite the economic situation, 86% stated that CSR and environmental policies would be extremely or somewhat influential over the next ten years, with nearly half (46%) believing that their CSR policies impacted on all aspects of event organisation.

Moreover, the report revealed that the mood of the market was optimistic, yet acknowledges there is a challenging year ahead for the sector. The results that surveyed 700 meetings industry professionals showed that 64% said the economic climate and pressure to reduce costs are the key factor of influence 2009. However, the global optimism was reflected when 25% of respondents were set to organise more international events in 2009, 9% to organise more national events and 35% set to keep events about the same as last year. ¿Do meeting planners still think the same? If we were optimistic two months ago, why are we not going to be now? YES WE CAN!