Planner confidence, attendee experiences and AI are driving what could be the strongest year for meetings in over a decade.
The meetings and events industry is entering 2026 with the strongest momentum we’ve seen in years—backed by data, driven by demand, and accelerated by technology.
The most recent Global Meetings and Events Forecast indicates that worldwide planner optimism has reached an impressive multi-year peak (Source). This surge in confidence is fueled by an increasing recognition of the essential part meetings play in establishing a common mission, solidifying company alignment, and actively fostering a successful culture.
A recent survey shows a rise in optimism among planners (Source). The same research notes that the number of planners not currently working on meetings has fallen to its lowest level in three years. As planning cycles stabilize, organizations are committing earlier and more decisively than they have in a long time. Optimism among meeting planners is on the rise, according to a recent report (Source).
As this confidence grows, planners are also recognizing another essential truth. In an era marked by misinformation, fragmented communication and constant digital noise, face-to-face meetings have re-emerged as one of the most trusted environments for alignment and clarity. As MPI has observed, there is a clear surge in organizations relying on in-person gatherings as the primary source of truth, shared understanding and coordinated action. When people sit together, interpret cues and ask questions in real time, misinterpretation falls away and true connections are fostered.
The Market has decisively turned
This positive trend is further evidenced by the fact that the proportion of planners not actively working on meetings is now at its lowest point in three years. With planning cycles becoming more stable, organizations are demonstrating a long-awaited willingness to commit to events sooner and with greater confidence.
This groundswell of confidence is also reshaping the experience itself. Attendees now bring higher expectations to every gathering. They want programs that offer relevance, opportunities for conversation and time to reconnect with colleagues. The global forecast notes continued increases in demand for interactive content and meaningful engagement (Source). Planners are responding by creating agendas that allow more space for connection and reflection, and by selecting destinations that carry identity and atmosphere rather than convenience alone.
Budget pressure remains part of the landscape. Rising costs are the leading challenge for planners worldwide (Source) . In North America, cost increases for food and beverage, hotel rates and services continue to influence planning decisions (Source) .Even so, these pressures have not dampened the overall sense of forward motion. Planners are adjusting with clear priorities in mind and placing resourcefulness at the center of their decision making.
Technology is shaping much of this progress. AI-driven tools are gaining a stronger role in planning, helping teams simplify complex steps and improve decision support. The Global Forecast shows that planners expect to incorporate AI into agenda development, communication and post-event evaluation in the year ahead (Source). In North America, digital research and sourcing tools have become a more regular part of the planning workflow. (Source).These tools are strengthening consistency, reducing manual effort and improving visibility across the lifecycle of a meeting.
Agentic AI positioned to accelerate what comes next
Most AI solutions automate simple tasks and often do no more than chatbots. Groupize.ai takes a fundamentally different approach as the world’s first true agentic AI platform purpose-built for meetings, travel, and compliance.
Rather than treating each workflow step in isolation, the platform understands how they interconnect. It interprets policy requirements, organizes information hierarchies, coordinates cross-functional actions, and guides teams through structured sequences that minimize friction while maximizing accuracy. The result is operational clarity where fragmentation previously existed, and predictable processes for managing even the most complex programs.
The platform strengthens core workflows; intake, sourcing, contracting, compliance, reporting, with the kind of consistency that’s difficult to maintain manually at scale. When administrative burden decreases, planning teams can redirect capacity toward strategic and creative work that drives differentiated outcomes. As stakeholder expectations increase and programs become more sophisticated, this shift in resource allocation isn’t merely beneficial. It’s essential for maintaining competitive advantage.
Looking Ahead
The year ahead will include more large cultural and sporting events that influence availability, pricing and destination selection across several regions. These dynamics may add complexity but will not alter the broader direction of the industry. Meetings are being planned with more intention, more alignment and more clarity than in previous years.
The optimism speaks to an industry that has regained its footing.
Meetings are returning with a greater sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the connection and progress they make possible.
Organizations investing in modern platforms, structured workflows and thoughtful design will help shape the next phase of growth.
And Groupize.ai is ready to support them as they take that step.
The meetings industry is confidently moving forward, having regained its strong position. Looking ahead, while major cultural and sporting events will influence venue availability, pricing, and destination choice across various regions—adding some complexity—these dynamics will not change the overall positive trajectory of the industry.
There is a noticeable shift: meetings are now being planned with increased clarity, stronger alignment, and greater intention than in previous years. This resurgence is fueled by a deeper recognition of the purpose of meetings and the progress and vital connections they facilitate.
Bottom line: Organizations that transition from outdated platforms and utilize agentic AI to streamline and automate meetings and events will lead the way in the industry’s next growth cycle.
And Groupize.ai? We’re ready to support you as you take that step.
Let’s connect and explore what’s possible.
