Face to face looks to the future

Research revealed by Loughborough University and its conference and events wing imago has clearly demonstrated that the meetings industry has a long-term place in the commercial world.

The research, which was conducted in conjunction with The Right Solution, measures the value of face-to-face communication amongst a sample of more than 750 event organisers, delegates, graduate and undergraduate students.

Key findings from the research includes:
? 96.6% of meetings attendees cited small face-to-face meetings of fewer than 10 participants as their favoured form of communication.
? 75.5% of students back up delegate preferences for smaller meetings with a preference for tutorials rather than lectures.
? Group interaction and discussion is considered the top benefit of communications by 78.4% of delegates.
? On a scale of zero to 100, delegates ranked engagement during face-to-face meetings at an average of 85%.
? The strongest emotions during face-to-face meetings were comfortable, engaged and happy.
? An interactive format as a tool to retain information was most favoured by 81% of those surveyed.
? Use of social media was least favoured by delegates (15.9%).
? The increasingly common informal ?co-creation? of content also scored poorly at 52.4%.

The research also examines the venue research and booking process. In particular it highlights the fact that 85% of organisers consider it important for a venue to have the latest technology before making a booking. Yet words relating to technology were not mentioned at all by delegates when asked what environment ensures a successful meeting. Instead 45% of responses focused on light, bright, or natural daylight.

The final research paper is available from go.welcometoimago.com/meet-the-future.