Safety and security remain at the forefront of meeting planner concerns, according to the 2026 Global Trends Report from FCM Meetings & Events (FCM M&E), the dedicated meetings and events division of FCM Travel. Developed in partnership with Hubli and supported by proprietary research from FCM Consulting, the report features insights from more than 500 M&E professionals worldwide.

According to the report, 78.9% of professionals rank safety and security as their primary planning priority. Meanwhile, 74.3% of professionals cite employee engagement as the primary purpose for hosting meetings and events, reflecting a continued focus on culture, connection and workforce development.

Despite ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, according to the report, investment in meetings and events remains resilient as 92% of respondents expect their budgets to hold steady or increase, while 35% anticipate budget increases of more than 10%. These figures, said the report, underscore what is expected to be a landmark year of strategic growth and reinforce the recognized value of face-to-face engagement as a key driver of business success.

Simone Seiler, global general manager at FCM M&E, said, “As organizations adopt more flexible work models, bringing people together in meaningful ways is essential to strong teams and cultures.”

Some of the other findings in the report include:

• Top priorities during planning: attendee experience (76.5%), effective project management (72.1%), seamless technology (66.9%), event cost (63%) and return on investment (61.2%).
• Reasons for hosting meetings and events: employee engagement (74.3%), learning and development (62%), business management (62%), industry engagement (51.8%), employee rewards (43.8%) and new business development (38.2%).

• Intended annual budget spend: less than $1 million (41%), $1million – $5 million (23.5%), $5 million – $10 million (11.2%), $10 million – $50 million (9.4%), $50 million – $100 million (9.9%), more than $100 million (3.9%) and other (1%).

• Event size focus: medium events (50 – 150 attendees) — 36.6%; large events (150+ attendees) — 27.8%; small events/meetings (under 50 attendees) — 19.1%; self-managed meetings (under 50 attendees, in-house) — 10.9%; incentive travel — 2.6%; agency-managed meetings (under 50 attendees, outsourced) — 2.1%; and other — 0.9%.

Gabriella Antoniotti, business leader, Americas, FCM M&E, said, “Medium-sized events are emerging as the preferred format for many businesses, offering the ideal blend of scale and personalization.” This approach, she said, “enables more frequent, impactful interactions, optimizing both program return on investment and attendee experience.”

The report also explores the evolving role of AI in event planning, shifting patterns around inclusion and accessibility and the continued emphasis on sustainability.

 “Technology and artificial intelligence are increasingly integrated into the planning process, supporting efficiency and precision,” said Antoniotti. “With 55% of professionals embracing AI to streamline their work and enhance outcomes, the sector is harnessing fresh opportunities to innovate — while maintaining a strong focus on quality and human experience.”