Attendee experience has emerged as the number one priority for event planners across Australia and New Zealand, with 80% ranking it above all other considerations, according to FCM Meetings & Events’ 2026 Global Trends Report. This figure outpaces the global average of 76.5%, signalling a fundamental shift in how organizations approach the MICE sector.
Rather than chasing standout moments at any cost, businesses are focusing on delivering events that run smoothly, feel well thought-out, and respect the time attendees invest. Employee engagement sits at the heart of this shift, with 65.5% of ANZ respondents citing it as the primary reason for increased spend.
The focus on precision and efficiency is reflected in ANZ’s planning cycles, with the region having the shortest average lead time globally at just 52 days between RFP and event. This compressed timeline demonstrates both market maturity and mounting pressure to deliver quality outcomes quickly.
Katie Fraser, Business Leader Australia at FCM Meetings & Events, emphasizes that time is a precious commodity. “If people are travelling, stepping away from work and investing their energy, the entire event experience needs to justify that commitment,” she said.
Safety and security remain critical, with 74.2% of ANZ respondents rating it as the second-highest priority. Sustainability is also embedded in planning decisions, with 51.7% of ANZ respondents often or always considering destination selection through a sustainability lens. Notably, 100% of bookings in 2025 included requests to remove at least one item to support sustainable events, including plastic bottles, paper cups, and notebooks.
The preference for manageable formats is evident across ANZ, with medium-sized events dominating global allocation at 36.6%. In Australia and New Zealand, more than half of planners now organize events with no more than 100 attendees, reflecting a broader trend toward smaller, more targeted gatherings.
This shift toward quality over quantity is reshaping venue selection, programming, and even the role of technology. The 2026 Vivid Fire Kitchen program in NSW exemplifies this trend, bringing together more than 60 culinary voices to showcase bold flavours and storytelling over a three-week festival. More details are available via https://www.vividsydney.com.
Organizations are looking for impact without operational strain. As Fraser notes, “Across the region, confidence is intact. What has changed is the level of precision applied to every decision”.
