AIPC
Study indicates positive outlook despite uncertain times
AIPC CEO SVEN BOSSU HIGHLIGHTS THE ASSOCIATION’ S 2025 MEMBER SURVEY RESULTS
E very year, AIPC conducts
a survey with its global community of convention centres, with results presented at the AIPC Annual Conference, which took place this year at Shenzhen World in China.
The study was conducted by AIPC in collaboration with Michael Hughes, managing director of Research & Consulting with Access Intelligence. The global survey was conducted in the first half of 2025.
After a number of years of strong industry growth, the 2025 AIPC Member Survey presents some mixed results. Overall, the survey findings are much more positive than negative, and member confidence about the industry outlook is good. But still high inflation rates and economic uncertainly in many regions of the world are impacting the convention, events, and meetings industry. Also, event producer clients continue to want more service for lower fees, and the issue of last-minute client event design and programming changes is not going away.
Mixed message An example of this mixed message is that for 2024 the worldwide average attendance growth estimate was a healthy 9 % increase over 2023, but total event and group bookings were flat over the same period. Yet, there is a positive outlook for 2025 with members worldwide expecting over 6 % attendance growth, on average, and a 4 % total event bookings increase. Overall, the industry has returned to‘ normal’ where overall economic trends and competition among destinations is impacting market dynamics and growth.
Uncertainty about the economic outlook is a key theme throughout the global economy as well as in this study. One member explained what they see as the key issues:“ One of our biggest challenges today is the uncertainty of the business, as traditional patterns no longer apply, leading to a decreased level of predictability in bookings and client behaviour.”
Above: Sven Bossu
Other centre management challenges include increasing competition, high costs for utilities, energy, technology services, and labour, often tight hotel capacity in their destination, and the near constant need for facility upgrade investments.
Still, it’ s an understatement to say that the industry has been through more challenging periods. Times of uncertainty make industry-leading in-person events even more important. Another member said their biggest opportunities were“ optimising relationships within the industry and leveraging strategic partnerships.” And another noted they see their biggest opportunities around“ signing up more long-term multiyear deals, relationship management with key stakeholders and clients, partnerships, and maintaining close relationship with the CVB.”
A final key outcome of the survey relates to AI. While high on the agenda at every event industry conference, Artificial Intelligence usage is still in the early stages with the AIPC Community; only 40 % of members are using AI in a meaningful way as part of centre management or operations. The four key areas of usage are:
• AI tools for customer relationship management( chatbots, virtual assistants)
• Marketing campaign automation and audience segmentation
• Facial recognition or biometrics for access and security
• Predictive analysis for booking and pricing optimisation This period is marked by many uncertainties, but the convention centre industry will serve many of the important events and groups around the world that will work though these challenges. And, as recent history has shown, the AIPC community will be able to embrace these turbulent times and find the opportunities they offer. n
ISSUE 138 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 23