Conference and meeting venues are investing heavily in technology, food and beverage services, and sustainability as client expectations continue to rise across the global business events sector, according to a new report from IACC.
The organisation’s 2026 Meeting Room of the Future report surveyed 124 venues across North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. The study found that operators are prioritising secure connectivity, experience-led meeting design and sustainable operations while facing increasing pressure from higher operating costs.
The report, produced in partnership with DCI, said 87% of venues invested in internet infrastructure or hardware during the past two years, while 64% plan additional investment over the next two years.
Secure, dedicated client Wi Fi recorded one of the biggest increases in importance in the report’s history, rising from 8.2 to 9.3 out of 10. Meeting room acoustics scored 9.2, natural light 9.0 and dedicated refreshment stations 8.8.
IACC said venue operators continue to balance technology upgrades with core guest expectations.
Food and beverage services are also under growing pressure as clients request more dietary options while budgets tighten. According to the report, 89% of venues said requests linked to dietary preferences have increased, while 42% identified rising costs as the main operational challenge created by those requests.
The survey also found that 68% of venues believe higher food and beverage costs have directly affected service delivery.
Sustainability expectations are also increasing. Locally sourced food and beverage became the most requested sustainability initiative among clients, cited by 51% of respondents. Food waste reduction followed at 33%, while plastic-free operations accounted for 29%.
The report said 85% of venues use locally sourced produce wherever possible, while 83% stated that demonstrating sustainable practices has become more important to their business.
Changing attendee behaviour is also affecting venue operations. More than half of surveyed venues, 57%, reported lower alcohol consumption among delegates, prompting operators to reconsider beverage offerings during meetings and events.
Experience-led meetings are becoming a larger focus for venues seeking to differentiate themselves in a competitive market.
More than two-thirds of venues strongly agreed that they are responsible for “experience creation” as part of delivering successful meetings. Themed food and beverage experiences were offered by 92% of venues surveyed, while 87% provided team-building activities.
Residential venues were also more likely to expand educational programming during meetings. The report found that 58% of residential venues are actively enhancing educational content, up from 51% in 2024, compared with 32% of non-residential venues.
Artificial intelligence adoption remains cautious across the sector. Guest services and human resource efficiency are the most commonly explored applications, although relatively few venues currently use AI for workforce planning, menu design or food waste management.
Aurora Dawn Benton, Consultant to the Events Industry Council, said: “Many staff in banquets have been in the industry, and oftentimes in their venue, for decades. The best AI-aided menu design is not going to overcome years of inertia where a human with emotions and influence can still override rules for service setup, portion sizing and replenishment.”
The report also highlighted a growing generational shift within the meetings workforce. Most venues reported that Gen Z employees account for less than a quarter of management teams, despite younger workers making up a larger share of overall staffing.
Mark Cooper, CEO, IACC said: “The insights shared within this year’s Meeting Room of the Future report once again demonstrate the pace at which our industry continues to evolve. The perspectives and experiences contributed by venue operators and industry experts around the world provide valuable guidance that help us shape and navigate the future development of meetings and business events over the next two to three years.”
Key Points
- IACC’s 2026 Meeting Room of the Future report surveyed 124 conference venues across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
- 87% of venues invested in internet infrastructure or hardware in the past two years.
- Secure client Wi Fi rose sharply in importance, scoring 9.3 out of 10 in the survey.
- Natural light, acoustics and refreshment stations remain top priorities for meeting venues.
- 89% of venues reported increased requests for dietary accommodations from clients and attendees.
- Locally sourced food and beverage became the most requested sustainability initiative.
- 57% of venues said alcohol consumption among meeting attendees has declined.
- More than two-thirds of venues said they are responsible for creating experiences during meetings and events.
- AI adoption remains cautious, with most venues still exploring possible applications.
- The report highlighted a growing generational shift as Gen Z workers remain underrepresented in venue leadership roles.
To download the full report, visit: https://www.iacconline.org/iacc-meeting-room-of-the-future
