Cvent 2023 Planner Sourcing Report Finds Optimism for Meetings and Events Industry is Exceptionally High While Costs Rank Top Concern

Ninety-one percent of planners are positive about state of the industry

TYSONS, Va., Oct. 26, 2023 - Cvent, an industry-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, shared findings from its 2023 Cvent Planner Sourcing Report, the Company’s annual look into event professional sourcing trends. The survey of over 500 event professionals across North America gathered insights into event planners’ objectives, preferences, and intentions regarding sourcing activities. The report offers hospitality professionals actionable insights into how to improve planner engagement, optimize sales and marketing processes, and attract more group business to their properties or destinations.

Key Findings: 2023 Cvent Planner Sourcing Report

• 91% are positive about the state of the meetings and events industry.
• 85% of planners are more likely to select a hotel/venue for simple meetings if they offer online booking — up from 52% in 2022.
• 76% plan to work with Convention & Visitors Bureaus when planning their meetings, up nine points from 2022.
• 63% are using technology to source as much or more than they did in 2022.
• 33% say rebuilding relationships is one of the most prevalent trends impacting 2024 priorities.

“After a few incredibly challenging years, it is exciting to see that optimism is strong in the events industry, and the continued focus on in-person experiences bodes extremely well for hoteliers, destinations and special event venues,” said Patrick Smith, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Cvent. “This annual report has become a go-to resource for hoteliers looking to engage planners and increase group business revenue, and the latest findings illustrate the important role technology plays in enabling that. Technology is truly a conduit for connection.”

Additional topics covered in the report include (re)building new relationships with hotels, changes in sourcing and booking practices, adoption and use of technology, and ways that hospitality professionals could better meet planners’ needs. Download the full report here.