The UK conference market has seen an increase of 27% in the volume of its corporate event business upon last year, making this the most significant increase in the industry since 1999. Also notable is the increase in the association sectors  average spend per meeting, which has risen by 22% upon last year, up from £39 per day delegate rate to £47.40 per day delegate rate in 2007.

“Confidence in the City over the past year has been reflected in the rise in meeting and event bookings within the corporate and association sector across the whole of the UK,” commented Jane Evans, Chief Executive of the MIA. “It is encouraging to see associations investing more in their meetings and events and contributing towards our ever expanding industry.”

These findings came from the industry’s 2007 flagship trends report; the UK Conference Market Survey (UKCMS) conducted by The Right Solution on behalf of the Meetings Industry Association (MIA).

Results from the survey were launched at the Natural History Museum during National Meetings Week (15-19 October), which raises awareness of the significant contribution the meetings and events industry makes to the UK economy each year.