In India, as meetings and events resume, there is a growing emphasis on face-to-face engagement and connection. Attendees now expect to be inspired and connected, or they may be reluctant to attend future gatherings.
However, there are challenges to contend with, such as onsite staffing shortages, cost increases, and short lead times, which impact catering and operations teams. Despite these challenges, there is a shift towards more fluid and flexible gatherings, with food trucks and street fairs becoming popular as companies seek a complete event experience that goes beyond traditional meetings.
Aimbridge Hospitality and Knowland collaborated on a report that highlights several interesting trends in the Indian context. These trends include:
Flexible Meetings: Traditional theater-style or classroom-style meeting spaces are giving way to flexible agendas that enhance learning and stimulate the senses. Gamification is also gaining popularity as a way to encourage interaction and employee engagement.
Social Media Worthy: Catering and operations teams are being more creative, focusing on providing Instagram-worthy moments. Unique presentations, such as butter boards, sugar displays, and charcuteries, are particularly popular, as today’s successful meetings aim to create differentiated experiences that live beyond the event.
Meetings Beyond the Boardroom: Remote work has become the new norm in India as well, resulting in a greater need to bring employees together for face-to-face interaction. As a result, meetings are not limited to traditional meeting rooms, but are also held in restaurants, outdoor patios, and other unconventional spaces.
Wellness as a Priority: Wellness is no longer just a nice-to-have, but a must-have in meetings and events. Meeting professionals are being held accountable for building agendas in spaces that promote physical and mental health. This has led to the emergence of executives with titles such as Chief Wellness Officer, highlighting the increasing importance of employee well-being in today’s meetings and events.
Overall, the Indian context reflects similar trends seen globally, with a focus on flexible meetings, creating memorable experiences for social media, utilizing unconventional spaces, and prioritizing employee wellness in meetings and events. As the landscape of meetings and events continue to evolve, companies and hospitality teams in India are adapting to these changes to deliver engaging and unforgettable experiences for attendees.
