I’ve been reviewing a new industry study by MMGY Travel Intelligence on the meetings landscape, and there are a few trends worth paying attention to.

First, budgets are under pressure. This is no surprise to most of you. Everything is a negotiation. Rising travel, hotel, and production costs are forcing meeting professionals to scrutinize every expense more carefully than ever. Proposals are getting a closer look, and buyers want to clearly understand the value of every element of their event. I talk about the “ROI of you” often. This is what you need to emphasize.

Second, safety and global uncertainty are influencing decisions. With wars and geopolitical tensions affecting travel in parts of the world, some organizations are being more cautious about where and how they gather. Destination choice and travel logistics are receiving more attention than they did just a few years ago.

That said, here’s the encouraging news.

The demand for in-person meetings remains very strong. Planners continue to say that face-to-face events are critical for connection, culture, engagement and learning. Organizations still want live events, they’re just being more thoughtful about how they invest their meeting dollars.

What does this mean for speakers?

More than ever, clarity matters. If a meeting pro can quickly understand:
• who you serve
• the problem you solve
• and the outcomes you deliver

…you immediately become easier to justify in the budget conversation. This is where having a positioning statement pays off.

In other words, the speakers who thrive in this environment are those who speak in outcomes, not just topics.

While the market may be concerning right now, I remain optimistic. When organizations gather, they still want and need ideas, insight, and inspiration that move people forward. And that’s exactly where you shine!

Copyright 2026, Lois Creamer. Lois Creamer works with professional speakers who want to book more business, make more money, and monetize their message. 

Check out the newest edition of her book, Book More Business: Make MORE Money Speaking available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/ci7yWxz 

Check out my new AI program for speakers: https://bmbwithai.com/ 

Reach her in the following ways: Lois@BookMoreBusiness.com 

314-374-4007. Web: https://bookmorebusiness.com/