A significant surge in meetings and events investment is set to redefine the European corporate landscape in 2026, according to new data from FCM Meetings & Events (FCM M&E). 

Global Trends Report 2026 

The Global Trends Report 2026 has revealed that 63.1 per cent of EMEA respondents (versus 59.5 per cent globally) expect their meetings and events budgets to increase compared to 2025, with 7.7 per cent holding steady and 29.2 per cent anticipating a decrease.

Notably, 62.9 per cent of those planning to increase budgets cite a broader scope of activities (versus 53.7 per cent globally), 46.7 per cent cite employee engagement, and 42.9 per cent link increases to inflation or cost-of-living adjustments.

Hotel venues preferred

Furthermore, 74 per cent of bookings across Europe are for hotel venues, reflecting a shift in venue preferences, and 100 per cent of events in the region now request the removal of items such as plastic bottles, paper cups, and notebooks to support sustainability goals.

The report highlights that organisations across Europe are not just spending more but are raising the bar on safety, value, and impact.

While budget growth is driven by a desire for more activities and inflationary pressures, the strategic intent behind these gatherings has shifted. Employee engagement has risen to the top of corporate agendas, with 46.7 per cent of EMEA respondents citing it as a primary driver for increased spend.

Safety and security remain top priority

Safety remains a critical component of this investment surge. Across the globe, nearly eight out of 10 industry professionals place safety and security as their top priority. In Europe, this focus is intensified by a complex operating environment.

"Across EMEA, meetings and events teams are working in a more complex environment. Political uncertainty, regulatory change and shifting travel conditions mean risk planning now starts at the brief stage," said Victoria Deprez, Business Leader UK, FCM Meetings & Events.

"Visa checks are built into timelines, routing and contract negotiations to protect attendance and control cost. Security and duty of care remain central, particularly in the UK, where Martyn’s Law has increased scrutiny on venue standards and emergency planning."

‘Green’ meetings preferred

Sustainability is also influencing European event strategies more than ever before.

"I hope well-being, mental health, and sustainable locations become increasingly important and requested," said Mallory Gerard, Head of FCM Meetings & Events, France, Spain and Switzerland.

"The focus should move toward the holistic attendee experience, making events productive, restorative and aligned with personal and corporate values."

This shift towards value-driven events is reinforced by a preference for personalised design tailored to each attendee, rather than relying on generic planning. European meetings and events now place greater emphasis on attendee wellbeing, mental health, and sustainable locations, aligning event experiences more closely with both personal and corporate values.

With 35 per cent of global organisations planning budget increases of more than 10 per cent, the outlook for the European MICE sector is strong.

Companies are leveraging these increased funds to foster genuine connections, ensuring that every event delivers measurable value to both the business and the individual attendee.