Most meeting professionals expect increased budgets and more events in 2027 despite continued geopolitical uncertainties, according to a new report from American Express Global Business Travel.
The TMC's 2027 Global Meetings and Events Forecast, which is based on a survey of 500 meeting professionals in 11 countries, found that 91 percent of respondents forecast higher budgets next year, with around 10 percent expecting a rise in budget of more than 11 percent compared with 2026.
The survey revealed that 93 percent of meeting planners are optimistic about the health of the industry in 2027, with the number of events expected to rise across all meeting types next year.
Only 22 percent of respondents said that would respond to geopolitical "instability" by holding fewer meetings. Planners have instead looked at other options when necessary, such as selecting different destinations or cities (39 percent), running more virtual meetings (37 percent), or holding smaller meetings or changing venues (30 percent).
The overall positivity about 2027 comes despite meeting planners experiencing rising costs this year, with Amex GBT noting that they are "getting resourceful to enhance attendee experience" in the face of continued inflationary pressures.
Amex GBT said that meeting prices are forecast to increase further in 2027, including higher year-on-year hotel room rates and airfares, with total cost per attendee expected to rise for every type of meeting next year.
While cost reduction remains a top five priority for meetings professionals for 2027, it has fallen from being the biggest challenge in last year's survey to fifth place for next year. Amex GBT said this could be because planners "now feel better equipped to deal with rising costs than they did last year."
The top priorities for next year, ahead of cost reduction, include enhancing attendee experience with more "memorable" events, improving risk management and compliance, and incorporating the latest technology in their events.
Amex GBT SVO of professional services Gerardo Tejado Donde in a statement said: "Meetings professionals are entering 2027 with more demands on their programs — from rising costs and disruption caused by geopolitical uncertainty to higher attendee expectations.
"Yet they are responding with resilience, resourcefulness and creativity, adapting their strategies rather than stepping back. There is a real sense of optimism across the industry, grounded in a clear understanding of what lies ahead."
The survey also reveals an increased use of AI by planners to streamline routine tasks and improve service. Around one-third (34 percent) of respondents are utilizing AI to provide onsite staff with insights to personalize the attendee experience. AI is also being used for event communications, logistics and sourcing.
Europe-based respondents to the survey also reflected the optimism among meetings professionals globally: 91 percent expect higher budgets in 2027 and are optimistic about the health of the industry, including 45 percent who are "very optimistic" about next year's prospects.
However, European respondents expressed "slightly greater concern" about cost challenges in 2027 than their global peers.
Improving attendee experience was the top priority for European planners next year, with technology adoption ranking higher than for their counterparts in the Americas.
Amex GBT also highlighted higher prices and "constrained" availability in 2027 for planners in Europe. Meanwhile, record-breaking summer temperatures across the continent this summer could "create safety implications" for outdoor events, older venues without cooling systems, and destinations vulnerable to wildfires or transport disruption.