What will the meeting room of the future look like?

The meeting room of the future will be strongly connected to the natural world, with good lighting and acoustics for participants, as well as sufficient networking space outside. It will also be at the forefront of digital technology, with options such as remote access and event planning. Streaming readily available.

These are the opinions of 170 venue operators and 275 meeting planners around the world, surveyed by the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC). In the report, the IACC examines venue priorities, tailoring to participant needs, and prospects for future investment in technology and facilities.

Location: Let there be light and sound

According to those surveyed, first impressions really matter: nine in ten organizers said good lighting and acoustics play an important role in the attendee experience, while seven in ten organizers said their clients like were waiting at different meeting spaces today than they were five years ago.

Meeting space design is also important, with six in ten respondents saying they have seen increased use of meeting rooms, while nine in ten highlight the importance of having networking spaces outside of rooms meeting.

Technology: the power of strong Wi-Fi connectivity

However, the availability of dedicated, secure Wi-Fi remains the top priority, with eight out of ten meeting venues surveyed placing importance on dedicated secure Wi-Fi for guests in venues.

Around a third of venues surveyed also offer more than 1GB of bandwidth in meeting rooms, public spaces and guest rooms, reflecting a growing expectation of sufficient bandwidth for events and attendees.

Almost all venues offer free access to Wi-Fi, with no connection required, and are largely satisfied with the current amount of internet and broadband provided to participants, with less than 40% planning an investment in these services over the course of next year.

Hybrid meetings and streaming services are also likely to stay. Three-quarters of all venues offer hybrid streaming events and/or remote attendee and presenter capabilities, and recognize that cybersecurity will become a priority over the next three years.

F&B: catering to diverse preferences

One of the biggest changes seen in the meetings industry is the catering services provided at meeting venues. Requests to accommodate dietary preferences have only increased over the past four years and show no signs of stopping; A focus on sustainability and initiatives is also a priority for venues and meeting attendees, with 87% of venues choosing to use locally sourced F&B products where possible.

At the same time, establishments are also looking for ways to reduce the costs of these offerings: 70% of establishments believe it is important to develop menus using cheaper ingredients to support customers who want to optimize their budget.

“This year’s study reaffirms how live meetings are evolving and venues are adapting to the type of experiences professional event planners expect for their attendees,” said Mark Cooper, CEO of the IACC . “Social responsibility is at the heart of many of these trends and it clearly shows that sites are in step with the development of their facilities and services. »