Planners Navigate Meeting Budget Blindspots

Event planners are facing budget pressures, and potential new tariffs on imports threaten to make in-person gatherings even more expensive.

Skift Meetings’ exclusive survey of 103 meeting professionals revealed rising costs are a major concern amongst planners. When asked about the main concerns impacting their jobs right now, 90% said potential cost increases. In addition, 82% said they expect meeting costs to increase in 2025–2026 because of tariffs.

According to the 2025 CWT-GBTA Global Business Travel Forecast, the average daily cost per meeting attendee is projected to reach $169, up from $162 in 2024. These costs include accommodations, food and beverage, AV, meeting space, activities, transportation, and technology.

“As budgets are stretched, planners are working with corporate planners on elements that can be sponsored,” said Simone Seiler, global general manager of FCM Meetings & Events.

Branded activations and partner-supported experiences are becoming more common as companies look to maximize every dollar, said Seiler.

Costs Climb, Budget Clarity Fades

FCM recently released its inaugural trends report, in partnership with Cvent. It states that 40% of meeting planner respondents don’t have a clear view of their upcoming meetings and events budget. “When the budget is blurry, planners need to think creatively, leaning on supplier relationships and sponsorships,” said Seiler. 

From wellness lounges funded by hospitality partners to tech-branded networking spaces, planners are embracing co-branded experiences to preserve quality while sharing the cost burden.

At the 2025 Future of Work Conference, for example, LogiTech sponsored the keynote stage, branding it the LogiTech Smart Collaboration Theater. The company also received a live demo of its AI-powered cameras, and podcast taping on the show floor. 

According to the FCM report, of those planners who do have specified budget for meetings and events, 43% reported a budget increase of 10% or more, while 39% said budgets remain flat. 

Additional data from Global DMC Partners, a network of independent destination management companies, echoed those findings. Nearly half of planners surveyed said their budgets are unchanged this year, and only 25% reported an increase.

Although planners are facing tighter budgets and economic uncertainty, the vast majority of respondents to FCM’s survey of just over 200 planners said their companies were still backing in-person events. “Despite budget concerns, we are still seeing more events,” said Seiler. “It’s just more important than ever that they hit the mark.”