What do Surveys of Suppliers, Venues and Planners Reveal about the Industry for 2026?

© The National Gallery of London

Whether you are a supplier, venue or event planner, 2025 was a year of shifting priorities, rising costs and workforce challenges to name but a few. Findings from industry-wide surveys, compiled here by events and hospitality consultancy Custard, paint a mixed picture that is sure to continue impacting everyone in the industry in 2026 and beyond.

While things remain uncertain, a series of surveys of suppliers, venues and event planners from the past 12 months have revealed the trends, challenges and opportunities that have shaped events, highlighting what every event professional should know as we navigate the year ahead. These surveys highlight key information that every event professional should be aware of as they enter the new year. Each survey sheds light on the challenges and opportunities in a specific area of the industry, and collectively, they paint a comprehensive picture of the current state of the events industry and its ongoing evolution.

From supplier sustainability commitments to venue cost pressures and planners’ rising focus on purpose and wellbeing, these findings show where the industry is heading and where professionals should be focusing their energy. In a year defined by uncertainty, the data provided by these leaders in our industry offers event professionals the information they need for the year ahead.
 

Suppliers: An Industry of Two Halves

The UK events supplier and contractor industry is ‘an industry of two halves’ according to findings from the Stronger Together Survey, published by the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA).

Almost half of event businesses surveyed (46%) forecasted higher revenue for 2025, yet nearly a third (29%) anticipated a decline. Similarly, confirmed business in January 2025 outpaced the same month in 2024 for 35% of companies, while 31% saw the opposite and had more work in 2024.

When it comes to staffing, over two-thirds (68%) said they were operating at full capacity, highlighting that almost a third (32%) are not operating where they should be. Similar findings were found in sustainability, with 68% of those surveyed saying they have a formal sustainability plan in place, but nearly a third (32%) do not.
 

© Foxhills Country Club & Resort
 

Venues: Navigating Rising Costs

For venues, many are balancing optimism with operational pressures. The latest mia Insights Report from the Meetings Industry Association (mia) revealed that almost half (46%) of venues surveyed said they are down on their revenue forecast for 2025.

Almost nine in ten (89%) said costs have increased in 2025 compared to 2024, with an average increase of 12%. These increases are leading some organisations to reduce their workforce, with just over a quarter (25%) stating they have done so in response to rising costs.
 

"64% of respondents have increased their prices to combat rising costs."

This has led many venues to also look for new ways to adapt to the changing needs of event planners, a key factor highlighted in Mindful Mornings, Active Afternoons Survey, a report by Foxhills Club & Resort.

It found that Thursday has now officially taken over Friday as the preferred day for off-site meetings, with mornings also being prime time for them to take place, with just over 70% of respondents saying they preferred to tackle creative tasks early in the day, an increase of 12% from last year.

Venues that can offer team-building opportunities are also at an advantage, with almost 90% of those surveyed viewing team building as a priority.
 

"When asked which meetings should be held off-site, respondents placed team engagement (85%), strategy (76%) and brainstorming (61%)."

Event Planners: Purpose, Engagement and Wellbeing

The focus on team-building is also vital for event planners, particularly those organising events for businesses, with employees looking for activities with purpose. Clean the World Event’s Team Building in a Changing Workplace Survey found that over nine in ten (92%) believe purpose-driven team-building strengthens relationships with colleagues more than traditional events, and more than eight in ten (83%) feel businesses have a responsibility to enable team volunteering and giving back.

The benefits of incorporating team-building and volunteering into events are clear, with 85% of those surveyed saying volunteering through work boosts their overall job satisfaction and also increases their loyalty to their employer.

Mindfulness also plays a big role in these types of events, with The National Gallery’s latest Mindfulness and Enrichment Poll finding that 43% of respondents believe that mindfulness enhances ROI by improving focus and retention.
 

Industry-Wide Challenges And Opportunities

No matter your role in events, looking after your wellbeing is a priority. While conversations around the topic are improving, with 66% of hospitality employees feeling their workplace supports open discussions around mental health, according to Hospitality Actions’ latest Taking the Temperature Survey, 62% of junior employees view burnout as part of the job, nearly half report poor work-life balance, and 61% said they have experienced a mental health issue in the past year.
 

"63% remain concerned that vocalising a mental health challenge could negatively impact their progression."

Overall, the findings of these surveys reveal an industry that is evolving rather than standing still. Suppliers are looking outward and prioritising sustainability, venues are adapting to rising costs, and planners are leaning into purpose-driven engagement, wellbeing and culture-led programmes. While there are undoubtedly still challenges ahead, there are clear opportunities for those ready to innovate and make the most of 2026.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.