Next year looks to be like an exciting one for the meetings industry with a variety of interesting trends expected to dominate how meetings evolve and innovate. Kindred Resorts & Hotels distributed a survey throughout their 63 properties to find the trends coming in 2018 and the findings are interesting.
Overall, group business travel for 2018 is expected to increase. “At the majority of our properties, booked business is on the rise and 2018 is predicted to be a strong year,” said Bree Brostko, managing director of Kindred Resorts & Hotels. “The way people want to meet is changing which provides exciting opportunities for our properties and their clients. Being healthy, connecting with colleagues in a meaningful way and in a distinct setting, are all going to be important facets of the meeting and event experience in the next year.”
The industry is ready to ditch the traditional coffee break and the standard full-day conference for a more wellness-focused and retreat-like setting. Attendees no longer want to pause between sessions to check email over a cup of coffee, they want to get outdoors and partake in activities. Archery, meditation sessions, animal interactions, yoga and nutritional workshops are all trending diverse break experiences on the horizon for 2018. The focus on increasing attendee’s energy with interactive breaks will also lead to healthier food and beverage choices that place a higher emphasis on organic offerings and less on sugary snacks.
This meeting break trend is also affecting meetings and conferences on a whole with planners creating more retreat-like getaways for their attendees. Gone are the full day of meetings, and in their place are longer breaks and more free time in the schedule. Planners want to provide guests with time to immerse themselves in the local culture and partake in more brainstorming, networking and teambuilding activities. When meeting time does roll around, attendees no longer want to sit in classroom-style and boardroom settings. Groups want to be outdoors and meet in unique spaces such as barns, cottages and pool decks for a different perspective and backdrop.
While 2017 comes to a close, attendees and planners have a lot to look forward to in the coming year.
