Business travel meetings have experienced quite the post-pandemic roller coaster in 2022. Covington’s Meetings & Events division (CM&E) took the wild ride in stride, ending the year with wind-tousled hair from the ups and downs, beaming with accomplishment, and excited for the next ride.

In January, Covid restrictions were still in place and the Omicron variant made many companies cancel or postpone their planned meetings. For those events that did carry on, there was a lot of attention given to producing hybrid meetings. The challenge that emerged with hybrid events, for both the sponsoring company and Covington meeting planners, is that having both an in-person meeting and a digital meeting simultaneously, essentially requires executing two meetings. The two involve different technology and event planning for optimal participant experience. That drives the cost up and the interest in hybrid meetings dissipated.

CM&E started the year with a challenge by executing a company anniversary trip to Atlantis, Bahamas for 45 people in the middle of Omicron. By spring, CM&E saw requests for in-person meetings resuming and their events calendar filled. In addition to resuming traditional Board meetings, training conferences, and incentive trips, a new purpose for bringing a group together was born. Organizations of all kinds realized that their newly remote workforces need to connect face-to-face. In some cases, dispersed colleagues who work on the same team had never met in person.  

New Meeting Trends Emerged

One trend that arose from the resurgence of in-person meetings is that an overall more casual dress style is in favor. This may be a result of working in “comfort clothes” from home for two years, but employee gatherings across multiple industries are dressing down traditional business attire. Sneakers instead of stilettos are a common sight at conventions and trade shows. Women are letting their personality show with bright colors and patterns, while many men are foregoing ties. The caveat here is to observe the dress code in your industry and experiment in increments.

Another trend in meetings was the desire for non-alcoholic drink options. People may refrain from alcohol for many reasons – extra calories, pregnancy, or simply wanting to remain clear-headed in a business setting. In response to this, creative and tasty booze-free options such as Kombucha cocktails, pressed-juice stations, and botanical spirits (non-alcoholic and no sugar) are becoming commonplace at events.

The Roller Coaster of Challenges Continues

While demand for business meetings and events continued growing through summer and fall, new challenges cropped up. Rising costs, supply chain issues, and labor shortages all impact the cost-per-attendee.

Christi Ruddy, CMP, Covington Meetings & Events Manager recommends, “Book your meeting or event as far out as you can. Hotels sell out much earlier because so many groups are trying to make up for the lost time. Availability is very limited within three months of a prospective program date, and you’ll have to pay top dollar for those that do have space.”

Hotels are also facing staffing shortages which can affect everything from shuttle service to food and beverage services to housekeeping. Attendees should be advised that if they arrive early rooms may not be ready for check-in or if they arrive in the evening, they may need to leave the hotel to get a bite to eat. The hospitality industry is working to staff up, but shortages remain an ongoing challenge in many industries.

Covington Meetings & Events is duly optimistic about the new year. We’re here to manage any details of your program, from attendee registration to site selection to on-site event management. Contact CM&E to discuss your 2023 meeting needs.