BCD M&E survey shows ROI and cost pressures shape 2026 events

BCD Meetings & Events has released findings from its 2026 Global Client Survey, indicating that while the meetings and events sector has largely moved beyond the turbulence of recent years, it now faces intensified cost scrutiny and a stronger emphasis on measurable return on investment (ROI). The research highlights how senior meetings and event decision-makers are recalibrating priorities around budget control, visibility of spend and proof of value across their event portfolios.

Conducted between January and March 2026, the study captured feedback from 240 senior professionals responsible for meetings and events programmes worldwide. Their responses suggest a market that is more predictable than during the pandemic and immediate recovery period, but one where expectations from finance, procurement and business leadership have become more exacting.

Background and industry context

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The global meetings and events industry has undergone a rapid cycle of disruption and recovery over the past few years, with organisations shifting between virtual, hybrid and in-person formats while responding to changing travel policies and economic pressures. As event volumes have returned, many companies are now moving from short-term reactivation to longer-term, programme-wide optimisation.

Within this context, the BCD Meetings & Events survey suggests that corporate buyers are settling into a more stable operating environment. However, stability is accompanied by a renewed focus on spend management, data-driven decision-making and demonstrable business outcomes. Event professionals are being asked to move beyond basic delivery metrics and align more directly with commercial objectives such as revenue influence, pipeline acceleration, employee engagement and customer retention.

This is also reshaping expectations of event technology. Tools previously seen as optional – such as consolidated data platforms, attendee engagement analytics and programme-wide dashboards – are increasingly viewed as critical infrastructure for managing risk, spend and performance at scale.

Key developments from the 2026 survey

While the full dataset spans a wide range of topics, several consistent themes emerge from respondents’ priorities for 2026 and beyond:

Cost pressures are intensifying: A clear majority of respondents indicated that budget control has become more stringent, with internal stakeholders seeking greater justification for event-related spending. Negotiating more favourable rates, optimising venue selection and streamlining supplier portfolios are recurring focus areas.
ROI expectations are rising: Decision-makers reported increased pressure to demonstrate quantifiable business value from meetings and events. Instead of relying solely on attendance numbers or satisfaction scores, organisations are looking at deeper indicators such as lead quality, sales influence, learning outcomes and long-term stakeholder engagement.
Demand for visibility and transparency: Respondents pointed to a growing need for consolidated visibility across global event activity, from strategic meetings to incentive programmes and conferences. Centralised reporting, real-time cost tracking and standardised performance indicators are becoming higher priorities.
Standardisation across programmes: Many organisations are moving away from fragmented, business-unit-led event activity toward more coordinated, enterprise-level meetings and events strategies. This includes standard processes, preferred suppliers and unified technology stacks.

Collectively, these trends suggest that the market is pivoting from a focus on simply delivering events to a broader mandate of managing meetings and events as a strategic business portfolio.

Industry impact and role of technology

The findings have direct implications for event technology providers and corporate meetings teams. As budgets come under closer examination, there is increased pressure to rationalise technology investments and demonstrate that platforms produce clear operational or commercial benefits.

Survey responses point to several areas where technology is expected to play a larger role:

Data consolidation: Organisations are seeking ways to unify disparate data sources, including registration platforms, mobile apps, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, travel tools and financial systems, into a coherent view of event performance and spend.
Spend and policy compliance: Programme management tools that support pre-event approvals, preferred supplier usage and policy enforcement are gaining traction, particularly for companies operating regulated or cost-sensitive programmes.
Performance analytics: Dashboards and reporting tools that connect event activity to pipeline, sales performance, learning outcomes or talent metrics are in demand as stakeholders ask for more detailed ROI stories.
Operational efficiency: Automation of repetitive tasks – such as sourcing, attendee communications and on-site check-in – is being evaluated not only for productivity but also for its potential to reduce overall programme costs.

For venue partners and destination marketing organisations, the survey underscores the need to support clients’ transparency requirements by providing detailed cost breakdowns, flexible pricing models and integration with buyers’ reporting frameworks.

Why this matters for event professionals and technology providers

For corporate event leaders, the survey results reinforce the importance of positioning meetings and events as an accountable, measurable component of the business, rather than a discretionary cost centre. Building a credible measurement framework – combining financial metrics with engagement, learning and relationship indicators – is becoming a core competency.

Event technology teams and platform providers can expect closer scrutiny of how their solutions contribute to these goals. Capabilities that enable better forecasting, attribution and post-event analysis are likely to be prioritised over standalone tools with limited integration or reporting depth. The ability to surface clear insights for finance, procurement and executive sponsors will be central to technology selection.

Agencies and third-party meetings management companies are also impacted. As buyers place greater emphasis on ROI and cost optimisation, service partners may be expected to bring more robust data and consultancy-led support, not just logistics delivery. This includes helping clients define performance benchmarks, structure data, and interpret insights from event technology platforms.

For all stakeholders, the survey highlights an environment where stable demand does not equate to reduced pressure. Instead, the bar for strategic alignment, financial rigour and evidence-based decision-making is moving higher across the meetings and events ecosystem.

Conclusion

The 2026 Global Client Survey from BCD Meetings & Events portrays a sector that has largely stabilised after years of disruption but is now operating in a more disciplined financial and strategic context. Cost control, ROI measurement and programme visibility are emerging as defining priorities for the coming years.

As organisations refine their meetings and events strategies, technology will play a central role in enabling transparency, consistency and performance analysis. For event professionals, technology providers and suppliers alike, the expectation is clear: events must not only run smoothly but also stand up to a higher standard of measurable value.