Latest news with #EventsIndustryCouncil
Skift
15-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
Introducing Keynote Listeners: Elevating Voices and Ideas at Skift Meetings Forum
Keynote Listeners debut at Skift Meetings Forum 2025 to spark deeper dialogue, spotlight emerging ideas, and carry the industry's most important conversations far beyond the stage. At Skift Meetings Forum 2025, we are reimagining what it means to participate in a conference. With the debut of Keynote Listeners, we challenge traditional ideas of VIP involvement and creating space for deeper, more purposeful engagement. This new program invites influential voices in the events industry not just to attend, but to actively shape and extend the impact of the conversations happening on stage. Keynote Listeners will play a central role in listening with intent, identifying emerging themes, and presenting meaningful takeaways that resonate far beyond the forum itself. Now is your chance to see this concept in action and help set the tone for the future of our industry. Listening With Purpose Our Keynote Listeners are not just VIPs in the traditional sense, but leaders in the events industry who are hand-selected to play a transformative role at the forum. They'll enjoy exclusive front-row access to every keynote, panel, and discussion. But their role goes much further: to listen intentionally, critically, and with curiosity, then carry the most important insights forward. These leaders will reflect on what they've heard, distill the key themes and ideas, and in the closing session, they'll take the stage to share their takeaways with the entire audience. Beyond the forum, they bring these conversations into boardrooms, association meetings, and policy discussions, ensuring that the ideas born at Skift Meetings Forum don't end when the lights go down. Meet the Skift Meetings Forum 2025 Keynote Listeners Keynote Listeners embody a fresh vision of leadership: one rooted in responsiveness, diversity, and purpose. They remind us that listening — really listening — is as essential to progress as speaking. We're proud to welcome this inaugural group of Keynote Listeners, each representing a different corner of the industry: Liz Lathan, Club Ichi Amy Calvert, Events Industry Council (EIC) Nicola Kastner, Event Leaders Exchange (ELX) Steve Bova, Financial & Insurance Conference Professionals (FICP) Dr. Senthil Gopinath, International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) These leaders will help distill impactful insights from the forum and amplify them within the broader professional community. Why Attend Skift Meetings Forum 2025? If you care about the future of meetings and events, this isn't just about being in the room but being part of the conversation that shapes what comes next. Attending the Skift Meetings Forum gives you the opportunity to: Gain actionable insights from some of the most respected voices in the industry Be part of forward-looking conversations that influence real change Network with peers, innovators, and decision-makers from across the globe Experience the debut of the Keynote Listeners program and see its impact firsthand Read More: Who Attends Skift Meetings Forum? Reserve Your Spot Today Tickets for the Skift Meetings Forum are in high demand, and availability is limited. Secure your place now to ensure you are part of this important moment for the industry. Let's shape the future of meetings together.
Skift
30-06-2025
- Business
- Skift
Events Industry Recovery Hits Geopolitical Headwinds
The industry is facing its first non-pandemic resilience test. The numbers aren't terrible, but they're a wake-up call for an industry that's gotten too comfortable with its comeback narrative. The global events industry cooled in the first quarter of 2025 but still outperformed the same period last year, according to a new Events Industry Council (EIC) report. Hotel group bookings and RFP activity dipped to 90% of 2019 levels — down from 96% and 98% in the prior quarter, but up from 87% in Q1 of 2024. North America had the strongest hotel group demand, hitting 96% of 2019 levels. The Middle East followed at 95%. Central and Eastern Europe was the worst performing region at 74% of pre-pandemic levels. Regional RFP activity varied widely. Mexico led at 177% of 2019 levels, followed by Turkey at 171%. The U.S. maintained strong performance at 112%, while China and Germany struggled at 56% and 50% of pre-pandemic activity respectively. Global room rates averaged 129% of 2019 levels, a modest increase given a global inflation rate of 23.7%. This pricing pressure comes at a challenging time, as organizations grapple with tightening budgets and scrutiny of business travel and event expenditures. Large and medium-sized events (200+ peak room nights) show greater price sensitivity. Rates for larger events average 123% of 2019 levels compared to 129% for smaller ones. Events booked within 12 months command higher premiums than long-term bookings, suggesting organizers are paying more for flexibility. Industry headwinds include Middle East tensions, tariff uncertainties, and shifting travel policies. The latest business sentiment index from Oxford Economics — which partners with the EIC on this series of reports — is 1.1% below the historical average, with 74% of respondents citing trade war concerns as their top risk. While the industry's recovery foundation remains solid, geopolitical pressures and policy shifts raise questions about potential slowdowns ahead.
