Event planners are returning to live only events faster than expected, according to the latest research by etc. venues.
It found 28% have already held such an event, which is more than the 20% who told etc.venues in July that they expected to return to live only events in 2021.
Nearly one quarter will go back to live only events in 2022, exactly the same as expected in July, but the number expecting to run a mix of virtual and hybrid events as well as live events in future has declined from 57% in the summer to 49% now.
This and other insights comes from the latest survey of event planners conducted by provider of urban non-residential event facilities, etc.venues.
The research, carried out every six months, is now on its fourth edition.
It says 97% of event planners are increasingly inclined to meet in person, with 70% saying they want to meet colleagues face-to-face more often in 2022.
Planners continue to value face-to-face meetings. and 82%, the same as in July 2021, say they value them more than before the pandemic.
Looking closely at current views of virtual and hybrid meetings, 54% think they are valuable and expect to run them in future, while 24% think they are only valuable as a contingency back-up for live events.
Adam Simpson, Director of Marketing for etc.venues said: "While virtual and hybrid are here to stay for the foreseeable future, the driving urge among event planners to return to live only events continues to grow. We think 2022 will be the year of meeting up."
