The switch from virtual to live events takes off
The move from virtual to live events is gathering pace, says etc.venues
Enquiries have increased 20% week on week for the past three weeks.
“With Plan B restrictions lifted and no likelihood of an imminent return, many event planners are switching larger events from virtual to live.” said Adam Simpson, Director of Marketing for etc.venues.
“We’ve been approached by multiple event planners wanting to switch from virtual to live events in March, April, May and June, months that were already popular with those who were avoiding the Plan B restrictions.”
Many others who held provisional bookings for the first half of the year are also now confirming them,” he added.
“This backs up our latest research which revealed that event planners are returning to live only events faster than expected.”
Christina Potts, Director of JCN Events said: “We’re finding that many venues are very busy and that suitable spaces for larger events are increasingly difficult to find.”
Simpson said 28% of respondents held live only events in 2021, 8% higher than forecast in the July survey.
A further 23% said in December that they will go back to live only events in 2022, which Simpson estimates is likely to be closer to 60% following the recent increase in demand since the Plan B restrictions were lifted.
“Event planners wanting the best choice of availability are booking Q3 and Q4 dates now.”
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt