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The Covid-era. Research shows hotel meeting spaces are still number one

If there’s one thing that living with Covid restrictions taught businesses, it’s the enormous value of face-to-face meetings. Marriott Bonvoy Events spoke to a wide range of UK businesses to ask about their meeting plans.

What businesses want

Over recent years there’s been an explosion of meeting options. Flexible co-working buildings, coffee shops and even bars have introduced daytime workspaces. But, looking forward, hotel venues are still the number one choice, with 80% of people Marriott Bonvoy Events asked planning to book more hotel meeting rooms in 2022 – a significantly higher figure than for any other venue.

The priorities of meeting bookers have also changed since the pandemic. When asked what would become more important moving forward, the top three responses were price/value for money (53%), flexibility (41%) and health and hygiene standards (38%).

Nothing beats a hotel

Whilst meeting in coffee shops and co-working areas bring flexibility and low-to-no cost, UK businesses say they have an “absence of personal touch”. People to help plan, coordinate and generally take the stress off your desk.

When Marriott Bonvoy Events asked top meeting bookers why they’d choose a hotel over other venues, the three most popular responses were “everything runs smoothly”, “responsiveness to needs” and “service standards” – all examples of delivering this personal touch.

“Facilities” were important too. From private meeting spaces to unlimited refreshments, LCD screens to reliable Wi-Fi access; everything is already in place at a hotel venue to make events a success and, in turn, make meeting organisers look good with less effort.

More than just a meeting

The new era of home working and virtual meetings has given less desire and less need to meet in-person. “Getting people together” is the single biggest challenge faced by the meeting bookers surveyed.

So, Marriott Bonvoy Events is making face-to-face meetings more meaningful. Available at 45+ UK hotels, their new Better Together Day Delegate Package reunites your team and reignites team spirit with an elevated meeting experience, including after-work drinks so your team can catch up. They’re keeping their booking terms flexible too so you can book with confidence.