The Fall 2017 edition of Meeting Professionals International's Outlook surveyed planners about their contingency plans for emergencies that could affect their meetings. When asked how prepared they are for these possibilities, 46 percent of respondents said they have specific contingency plans for natural disasters, 45 percent for active shooters, 43 percent for bomb threats, 40 percent for general illness/injury/death, and 31 percent for a cyber attack.
"I'm finally getting more meeting planners to ask about creating a crisis plan and asking insurance questions," industry attorney Tyra Hilliard told MPI.
The survey also showed:
• 43 percent of those surveyed report an increase in contentious or conflict-oriented conversations or personal challenges during meetings.
• 57 percent of respondents predict favorable business conditions, with a 2 percent growth expected over the next year.
• Attendance at live and virtual events is expected to grow by 0.9 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively - a slight decline in growth for live events and a slight increase in growth for virtual events.
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Other findings indicate that the costs of essential meeting and event-related services are expected to grow more than the U.S. Consumer Price Index of 1.9 percent over the next year.