What MICE trends should be expect in 2023?
This is a question we are probably all asking ourselves now that the first post-pandemic year has come to an end. Well, based on our own experience and after doing some further online research, this would be our feeling on what’s coming up this year.
The short lead time trend which has already introduced itself in the MICE world in 2022 will definitely still be a thing this year. The long-term planning is still extremely difficult especially after a series of unexpected major disasters and conflicts that have happened in the last 3 years. Also, companies are more reluctant to commit to events long in advance as a result of some kind of uncertainty regarding the future. The threat of the crisis coming up does not allow a minimum of confidence in terms of the money to be spent and the image the company gives publicly and the repercussion on their reputation. Therefore, the budgets are squeezed until the last minute.
Sustainability is a must for an increasingly huge number of companies wishing to hold events. We have witnessed a general tendency of keeping quiet regarding the environmental initiatives from venues, event planners and MICE professionals in general due to a fear of scrutiny and lack of knowledge and education in this field. Sustainability is however becoming a requirement at the level of cost-effectiveness and product/service quality when selecting a partner and venues for an event. We now all need to speak up about our environmental protocol of action and make sure it is as wide ranging as truly effective. Our business meetings and corporate events now all must somehow save energy, reduce plastic waste and carbon footprint, and help minimize the ongoing global warming. For example, and as a great advantage we have at the Costa del Sol, many corporate events select sunny destinations in order to be able to organize outdoor events enjoying the natural and 100% sustainable daylight. 😊
Going back to the post pandemic trends, there is the “Bleisure trend” consisting of a combination of business and leisure travel, for both MICE and individual travelers. There is a clear tendency and need of introducing leisure experiences in corporate trips. Is it because of some kind of trauma after the borders being closed for so long? The unpredictability caused by the war in Ukraine? The fear of another world disaster? Probably a mix of it all.
Surprisingly, although most of us thought Digital events would not live on after Covid, the online concept is still the preferred option for many companies. In 2023, it is still a valid system which allows professionals all over the world to share virtual experiences and meetings, being cost-effective, productive, successful and with very positive outcome.
Of course, this post would be incomplete if we do not mention the continuously growing trend for companies to include Team Building Activities in their agendas. From CEOs to event planners, even the most successful MICE venues (the best ones showcasing their space, indoor and outdoor, for activities as an added value for their potential clients) have realized the benefits of teambuilding. The reasoning is quite simple: it is necessary to save time for group experiences allowing participants to interact and enhance teamwork, communication, confidence, trust, creativity and therefore PRODUCTIVITY.
Some of us know and have read a lot about Artificial Intelligence (AI), metaverse, and ChatGPT, and some have vaguely heard about them, but the reality is that they are already taking their first steps into MICE events. Some people have already tried the ChatGPT and experienced the mind-blowing capacity of a robot to interact with humans and have a “normal” conversation. This is a chat system based on AI, which in MICE events would allow each participant to get all the exact answers and straight-to-the-point information to have a personalized experience according to their own personal needs. Scary? Threatening? Impressive? Exciting? That would be another debate. Maybe another time…
After a historical year in terms of number of groups, new projects, new activities, a growing team and many many great memories of SMILE MAKING, the Experience Box team is excited about the new year 2023 and looking forward to new challenges. And of course, we are already embracing all these trends to keep being the leading events company at the Costa del Sol. Let’s go for beautiful 2023 smiles people!
