In-house corporate planners will be a busy bunch: In this survey, nearly 30 percent say they will stage more events this year than in 2006, and a whopping 42 percent predict that 2008 will be even busier than 2007. And independents have been busy responding to RFPs — 37 percent of respondents this year say they contract with independent planners, up from 27 percent last year.

STAGING EVENTS

Approximately how many corporate special events (including incentive trips, gala product launches, marketing events, recognition dinners, company picnics, etc.) will your company stage in 2007? Percentage of respondents

Will the number of corporate events that you stage this year be more or less than your “typical” amount? (Data below compares responses from last year with this year.) Percentage of respondents

We will stage more events this year

2003	17%
2004	25%
2005	27%
2006	26%
2007	29%

We will stage about the same amount

2003	67%
2004	68%
2005	68%
2006	67%
2007	63%

We will stage fewer events this year

2003	16%
2004	7%
2005	5%
2006	7%
2007	8%

How will the number of events you stage next year compare with this year? Percentage of respondents

We will hold more next year

2003	24%
2004	28%
2005	27%
2006	39%
2007	42%

We will hold approximately the same

2003	68%
2004	68%
2005	68%
2006	58%
2007	54%

We will hold fewer events next year

2003	8%
2004	4%
2005	5%
2006	4%
2007	4%

BUDGETING

How do you expect your company's budget allocation for staging corporate special events to change next year compared to this year? Percentage of respondents

Increase by more than 10%

2003	6%
2004	7%
2005	7%
2006	6%
2007	9%

Increase by 6% to 10%

2003	5%
2004	11%
2005	6%
2006	11%
2007	15%

Increase by 1% to 5%

2003	20%
2004	25%
2005	23%
2006	25%
2007	30%

Stay the same

2003	45%
2004	39%
2005	40%
2006	36%
2007	31%

Decrease by 1% to 5%

2003	10%
2004	6%
2005	6%
2006	4%
2007	3%

Decrease by 6% to 10%

2003	3%
2004	2%
2005	2%
2006	3%
2007	3%

Decrease by more than 10%

2003	2%
2004	1%
2005	3%
2006	3%
2007	1%

Unsure/no answer

2003	9%
2004	11%
2005	13%
2006	14%
2007	9%

TAKE IT OUTSIDE?

Do you contract with independent event planners? Percentage of respondents

Yes

2003	28%
2004	27%
2005	28%
2006	27%
2007	37%

No, with no plans to contract with independent planners

2003	59%
2004	64%
2005	61%
2006	62%
2007	53%

Unsure/no answer

2003	3%
2004	7%
2005	5%
2006	5%
2007	1%

No, however, we are considering it

2003	10%
2004	9%
2005	6%
2006	7%
2007	9%

MEASURING THE PARTY'S PAYOFF

Do you attempt to measure the ROI (return on investment) of your special events? Percentage of respondents

Yes

2003	32%
2004	36%
2005	44%
2006	56%
2007	51%

No, however, we are considering it

2003	22%
2004	29%
2005	23%
2006	20%
2007	21%

No plans to measure ROI

2003	32%
2004	20%
2005	24%
2006	13%
2007	20%

Unsure/no answer

2003	14%
2004	15%
2005	9%
2006	11%
2007	8%

What methods do you use to measure the ROI (return on investment) of your special events? Multiple answers possible

Response from attendees	70%
New client leads	63%
Client retention	60%
Total attendance	59%
Revenue	58%
Sales	48%
Response from management	44%
Surveys	43%
Other	4%