Flight Centre Corporate's 2025 State of the Market survey has revealed events now make up 68 per cent of all business travel globally.

Speaking at the 2025 FACTS conference, Meetings & Events General Manager Customer and Operations Katie Fraser said: “Events are powerful tools for building culture, engaging people and driving business results."

The FCM Meetings & Events’ 2025 Trends Report reveals attendee experience ranks as the top priority for event planners (4.5 out of five), followed by safety and security and effective project management.

Avoiding single-use plastics was ranked as the top sustainability consideration by 65 per cent of event professionals. And that means more than ditching the bottled water and paper plates.

Planners are looking across the entire event experience, from pens and packaging to event furniture, decoration and communication avenues.

Venue choice is also playing a huge role in this shift. Businesses are actively choosing venues that align with their broader sustainability goals. The driver for this is that these venues can do some of the heavy lifting by bringing their own green initiatives to the table, without adding extra work for event teams.

80% of respondents said that venue accessibility is their number one consideration when reflecting on diversity and inclusion. Not far behind is dietary needs, with 75% of planners prioritising religious, cultural, and personal dietary requirements.

Sydney had two hotels in the top 10 for the Asia Pacific region: Hyatt Regency Sydney and Hilton Sydney.

Globally, incentive travel planners are prioritising experiences that go beyond the destination. This means dining experiences, free time, and relevant conference sessions.

Key takeaways

The report reveals shifts and opportunities in the global meetings and events space, including:

  • People-centric events: 56 per cent of respondents confirm that meetings and events are primarily for people engagement, be it employees, clients, or both.
  • Growing investment: Corporate events have grown year-on-year globally since 2022, with 46 per cent of companies investing in medium to large-scale events in 2024.
  • Tech-led sourcing on the rise: From 2022 to 2024, the number of organisations sourcing venues on the Cvent Supplier Network (CSN) is up 89 per cent.
  • Shifting budgets: 43 per cent of planners expect to increase their investment in events by 10 per cent or more in 2025, with APAC leading the way.
  • Incentive travel focus: 41 per cent of industries offer incentive travel programs, with a global prioritisation on experiences that go beyond just the destination.

View the full report here.