Conference Venue Development Specialists

The UK Conference Market Survey 2007, undertaken by The Right Solution, and launched in October of that year, revealed strong growth in the UK conference market.

The results show a dramatic growth of 27% in the corporate sector and 1.4% in the association sector. This follows significant growth in 2005, reaching levels last seen in 1999.

However, despite the increase in volume both sectors saw a reduction in their annual budgets for events. The association sector has increased to £125,600, from £93,400, with budgeted daily delegate rates rising to £47.40 from £39.00 last year. The corporate sector's annual budget reduced to an average £134,600 from £141,000, with 24 hour delegate rates rising to £173.50 from £164.50, and budgeted daily delegate rates increased to £49.60 from £48.70. Since 2000, the corporate budgeted daily delegate rate has increased by nearly 16% and the 24 hour rate by over 17%.

The UKCMS shows the strength and importance of the meetings industry to the UK economy, and the importance of face to face communications specifically.

This years report also shows growth in specific UK destinations, with London clearly leading the market with 65% of association organisers and almost 68% of corporate organisers holding an event in the capital. This compares with 38% / 31% in Birmingham and 36% / 31% respectively in Manchester.  There has been a significant rise in the use of other European destinations, up to 13% from 7% within the corporate sector.

The UK Conference Market Survey 2005 is the thirteenth successive survey of the UK conference market and is produced by The Right Solution on behalf of the Meetings Industry Association (MIA). Trends in the corporate sector have been monitored since 1991 and in the association sector since 1998.

For those involved with conferences, meetings and events, whether it be developing, operating or marketing conference venues, destinations or related services the information provided in the report is invaluable for strategic decisions, operational policy or general interest.

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