There’s a rising demand for speciality venues, immersive lighting, tech support, and food-focused event strategies. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Blake
Vineyards, sports stadiums, mood lighting, and a renewed focus on food – these are just a few elements meeting planners want more of, according to IACC’s 2025 Meeting Room of the Future report.
The study, based on insights from more than 200 planners in Europe and North America, examines key trends shaping event venues, including physical attributes, food and beverage, technology, and social impact.
Speciality venues are trending
The shift away from hotels continues, with 51% of planners selecting speciality venues like sports stadia, museums, and vineyards – up from 33% in 2023. While hotel events remain, their decline has been evident since 2017, though the change from last year was marginal at 2%.
Lights before camera and action
Lighting has become a priority, with respondents favoring natural daylight, warmer tones, and dimmable options for greater flexibility. Venue lighting now plays a crucial role in transitions between focus sessions, collaborative workshops, and informal networking periods.
Venues with integrated tech are in demand
On-site tech support is increasingly valued, with planners preferring venues that provide integrated solutions for real-time needs. However, there’s less pressure to implement emerging technology – only 68%, down from 80% in 2023, see incoming generations driving digital adoption. Hybrid events are also declining, with 42% of planners opting out of streaming this year, though venues are expected to maintain hybrid capabilities when required.
Focus on food continues to grow
Food and beverage rank higher than ever in meeting priorities, with 50% of planners listing it as crucial, compared to 30% in 2023. Health and wellbeing take center stage in Europe, while APAC planners emphasise cultural storytelling through cuisine.
Vanessa Green, CEO of Cliftons Event Solutions APAC, noted, "Across APAC, food is far more than sustenance, it’s a cultural connection and a storytelling tool."
What will the meeting room of the future look like?
Planners expect venues to be more collaborative partners, offering high-speed internet, improved acoustics, flexible lighting, sustainable operations, and dedicated networking spaces.
Mark Cooper, CEO of IACC, commented: "Since the launch of our first Meeting Room of the Future report ten years ago it's exciting to see the industry embracing bold approaches to event design."