IACC’s 2025 Meeting Room of the Future Report Reveals Shifts in Event Planning and Venue Selection
The International Association of Conference Interpreters (IACC) has released its tenth annual Meeting Room of the Future report, providing insights into the evolving landscape of event planning, technology integration, and venue selection. The comprehensive study, conducted in collaboration with research partner DCI, analyzed responses from 205 meeting planners across Europe and North America.
Shifts in Venue Preferences
The report reveals a continued decline in the use of traditional hotel venues for events since 2017. Instead, there’s been a significant rise in the use of specialty event venues such as sports stadia, museums, and vineyards. In 2025, 51% of planners opted for these unique venues, up from 33% in 2023. Sebastian Tarkowski, CEO of Faerudd Konferens in Sweden, notes, “We’re seeing a clear trend: while educational content remains important, there is growing demand for experiences that go beyond content delivery alone.”
Technology and Hybrid Events
The pressure to incorporate new technology into meetings has eased slightly, with 68% of planners (down from 80% in 2023) citing incoming generations as a driver for increased technology integration. However, there’s been a notable jump in the recognition of artificial intelligence as a critical technology, rising from 4% to 14%. Niamh Martin, Managing Director of Convene UK, emphasizes the importance of flexibility and on-site tech support in modern venues.
Venue Selection Criteria
Planners continue to prioritize location, travel time, and accessibility when selecting venues. Food and beverage offerings have become increasingly important, ranking second in importance behind location. The report highlights a growing emphasis on sustainability in catering, with a shift towards designing menus and service styles that prevent excess.
Future Trends
Looking ahead to the next three years, planners expect to see growth in high-quality internet, improved room acoustics and lighting, ethical and sustainable operations, and the importance of networking spaces outside traditional meeting rooms. Mark Cooper, CEO of IACC, notes that the industry is embracing “bold approaches to event design, experimenting with dynamic formats, and investing more in delegate experiences.”
The Meeting Room of the Future report has become a benchmark for understanding the evolving needs and priorities of meeting planners. As the industry continues to navigate the post-pandemic landscape, this research provides valuable insights into the trends shaping the future of live events.
