TICA MICE UPDATE

A new survey on the state of the meetings industry suggests delegates are looking for teambuilding activities and intend to combine business events with time-out to enjoy a travel experience.

US-based Destination Hotels, a collection of upscale independent hotels, resorts and residences now part of Two Roads Hospitality, released key findings in its fifth annual “State of the Meetings Industry” survey, Wednesday.

Based on responses from 400 corporate, association, government and independent planners, the survey concluded that Millennials were keen to join more team building events.

Nearly 60% of respondents said they were most interested in adventure/active team building exercises, with another 37% of planners citing community service as a highly-desired teambuilding option.

It recommended that active elements should be incorporated into team building events that focus on corporate social responsibility such as a beach clean-up session, school refurbishment or bicycle-building contests where the finished products are donated.

The so-called Bleisure trend (mix of business and leisure) was also identified as a strong trend with event attendees wishing to extend their stay beyond the meeting dates to enjoy a travel experience.

“One aspect of meetings that’s changed noticeably in the past year is the number of attendees extending their stay at the host property for leisure purposes,” the survey noted.

Last year, 61% of planners said that more than 1 out of 10 of their attendees either arrived at the property before the meeting begins, or stayed on the property after the meeting ends, to relax.

Nearly 73% of meeting planners flexible meeting space played a crucial role the decision to use a particularly hotel.

Technology at every stage of a meeting was citied as important by 58% of planners, who ranked on-site technology an eight, nine or 10 on the ‘importance’ score list.

Nearly 72% of planners said that a property’s website was where they gained most information when searching for a host property.

Food and Beverage options were cited as a critical factor for planners when selecting a property, after location and room rate.

Visit www.destinationhotels.com

*Survey Methodology: In October 2016, Destination Hotels contacted 23,819 corporate, association, government, and independent meeting planners, of which 405 responded to the survey.