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Trend Report 2025: Focus on Artificial Intelligence and the Planet


Illustrations by Julie Murphy

Annual Events Industry Forecast

Our usual approach is conveneThe annual industry forecast aims to cast a wide net, gathering data on a variety of topics relevant to the business events industry, including travel, accommodation, technology and the workplace. This year, we took a different tack. Rather than those broad predictions, convene Editors write concise trend reports for each department. We’ve sifted through the research and come up with some signposts to help you navigate the year ahead, no matter what action you take. As always, the forecast includes our annual conference market survey, which gives us a strong sense of where we are at this moment—the ups and downs, the challenges, and our overall mood.

Growing plants from circuit boards

A recent study shows that demand for “green talent” – specialized skills that can help combat climate change – is rising among employers across industries.

It doesn’t take the most tech-savvy person to recognize the biggest trend in the future of work for event organizers: artificial intelligence. It’s not even the future – it’s already here. In January 2024, a white paper commissioned by The Hague & Partners Convention Bureau and Ottawa Tourism surveyed 100 association planners and found that 63% of associations and non-profits are already using artificial intelligence in event organization, although Limited knowledge of AI they use – 85% have no budget for AI training at the time, indicating a desire to learn on the job in the name of efficiency.

Global DMC Partners (GDP) has released its third quarter meetings and events survey, showing how adoption of artificial intelligence has grown among meeting planners over the past year, with nearly half now using these tools in their daily work rather than exclusively tool. By the end of 2023, three in 10 planners report using artificial intelligence to complete many tasks – 84% use chatbots like ChatGPT and CoPilot to help with their work, while 44% use grammar checkers and tools like Grammarly Such rewriting tools to improve their writing skills. “Respondents highlighted the use of AI to improve content, select venues and provide marketing support,” the report said.

As the capabilities of artificial intelligence increase, so will its use by planners in their daily work. Currently, many of us see it as having limited uses—compiling Google searches, organizing data, and enhancing content creation. But we’re seeing use cases for planners expanding to include tasks like attendee acquisition and next-generation engagement.

Sustainability skills

The future of work across industries and disciplines requires not only proficiency in artificial intelligence, but also an understanding of how to address the challenges of global warming. A recent LinkedIn study shows that demand for “green talent”—professional skills that can help combat climate change—is rising among employers across industries. From 2023 to 2024, the global demand for green talents will increase by nearly 12%, but the supply will only increase by 6%. “This disparity means the green talent gap is not only widening but accelerating,” the report says. Globally, job seekers with green skills are being recruited at a 55% higher rate than the workforce as a whole.

What about green skills for the events industry? According to the GDP Q3 Meetings and Events Survey, less than half of North American planners incorporate sustainability elements into their events all or most of the time, compared with more than three-quarters of international planners. This reflects a wider gap between North American and international planners than in previous GDP surveys, indicating an increasing emphasis on sustainability among international planners.


Employment of meeting planners continues to grow

Employment of meeting, conference and event planners is expected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 16,500 job openings for meeting, convention and event planners are expected to open each year over the next decade.


The final budget was higher?

Since the start of the pandemic, meeting professionals have struggled with severe budget constraints, which has become even more challenging when dealing with inflation. But according to a recent global study of more than 500 meeting professionals by Amex GBT, 66% of planners say spending is growing.

The fight against inflation also continues, with two in five respondents saying they have changed their destination or accommodation to accommodate rising costs, a similar number holding more virtual meetings and 29% Reduced activity overall.

Kathy Gale is the editor-in-chief held.

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