Warwick Conferences continues commitment to industry research
Warwick Conferences’ independent Value of Satisfaction research investigated the key factors into what generates satisfaction with an event for delegates, event bookers, and managers at an off-site event, and provided valuable insights into what counts when it comes to conferencing.
Warwick Conferences’ independent Value of Satisfaction research investigated the key factors into what generates satisfaction with an event for delegates, event bookers, and managers at an off-site event, and provided valuable insights into what counts when it comes to conferencing.
The report – which was commissioned by Warwick Conferences in 2013 – interviewed a cross-section of delegates, managers, and event bookers on a range of topics, and identified four key themes: the power of a venue’s staff, the danger posed by meeting disruptions, the role played by quality catering, and the problem of hidden costs. It found that a venue’s people are the leading factor that results in satisfaction or delegates – but this influence works both ways, with 52% agreeing that it takes just a single member of staff to ruin an event experience.
Quality catering also contributes to a recipe for event success according to delegates, coming second only to a venue’s staff amongst those factors that help them to feel satisfied about an event. But, quality catering is often overlooked by event bookers, with just 12% rating it as a top three criteria when selecting a venue.
Meeting disruption was proved to be a common problem, with three-quarters of delegates reporting that they had experienced disruption to their productivity when attending events in the previous 12 months. A third of these were linked to technology, while 32% were noise-related.
Over a quarter have had their attention diverted by non-business guests. Cost was also examined in the report, with the research revealing that almost half of invoices received are higher than anticipated, and many delegates are dipping into their own pockets to cover expenses such as parking, Wi-Fi, meals and refreshments.
2013’s Value of Satisfaction report was acknowledged by both the Meetings Industry Association (MIA) and Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA). To follow on from the success of the first report, Warwick Conferences is preparing to launch the second installment – The Value of Expertise – in September this year, promising further independent insight into important issues affecting the events industry.
Further information on the Value of Satisfaction and a download of the report are available via www.valueofsatisfaction.com. Readers can get involved in the Value of Satisfaction conversation by joining the LinkedIn Showcase page: www.linkedin.com/company/the-value-of-satisfaction.