Optimism amongst North American event planners has plummeted
over the last six months – because they have no idea what US President Donald Trump
is going to do next.
Forty-four per cent of planners across the pond say they are
less optimistic than they were in May while citing ‘unanticipated government
actions’ as their 'biggest competitive threat'.
The remarkable shift in sentiment is revealed in the latest Northstar/Cvent
Pulse Surveys, which went out to planners in North America and EMEA (Europe,
Middle East, Africa).
But it’s not all doom and gloom.
Despite headwinds of their own, EMEA planners are ‘more
optimistic’ than at any time in the last 12 months and twice as likely
to be ‘more optimistic’ than their North American colleagues.
Most North America planners view the Trump administration’s
impact on meetings and travel negatively.The biggest disappointment is
the economy. Last year almost one-third thought the Trump administration would
be good for the economy. Only 10 per cent feel that way now.
On both sides of the Atlantic cost and budgets continue to be
a challenge.
Most EMEA
planners expect the same budget, or even a decrease. But among those expecting a budget increase
(36%), most are reckoning on a rise of more than 10 per cent.
There’s a
similar picture in North America with a ‘winner takes all’ approach to budgets –
with those either decreasing or increasing their budgets doing so significantly.
The surveys are free to download.
To read the full EMEA survey, click here.
To read the full North American survey, click here.
To read the latest Asia Pacific survey, (September) click here.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
