Larger events switching from virtual to live are adding to the demand as enquiries increase 20% week on week for the past three weeks, according to Adam Simpson, director of marketing, etc.venues.
“With Plan B restrictions lifted and no likelihood of an imminent return, many event planners are switching larger events from virtual to live. We have been approached by multiple event planners wanting to switch from virtual to live events in March, April, May and June, months that were already popular with those who were avoiding the Plan B restrictions. Many others who held provisional bookings for the first half of the year are also now confirming them,” he adds.
“As a result, we have have seen a 20% increase in enquiries week on week for the last three weeks as demand mounts. It’s vital for planners to secure their preferred dates sooner rather than later,” Simpson advises.
Considering this, Christina Potts, director of JCN Events, adds: “We are finding that many venues are very busy and that suitable spaces for larger events are increasingly difficult to find.” This, Simpson reveals, backs up etc.venues’ latest research which revealed that event planners are returning to live only events faster than expected.
“Approximately 28% of respondents held live only events in 2021, 8% higher than forecast in the July survey. While a further 23% said in December that they will go back to live only events in 2022. This is likely to be closer to 60% following the recent sustained increase in demand since the Plan B restrictions were lifted. Event planners wanting the best choice of availability are booking Q3 and Q4 dates now,” Simpson concluded.
