European companies increase MICE investment in 2026

Rising budgets signal a shift toward more strategic, experience-driven corporate events

European companies are increasing their investment in meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) in 2026, according to FCM Meetings & Events. The data shows that budget growth is not only driven by inflation but also by a broader strategic focus on employee engagement, safety, and event impact. Organizations are rethinking how events are designed, prioritizing meaningful experiences over standard formats. This shift is reshaping demand for venues, sustainability practices, and risk management across the European corporate landscape.

Key takeaways

• Budget growth across EMEA: 63.1% of European companies expect MICE budgets to increase in 2026, indicating strong demand for corporate events compared to global averages.
• Shift toward strategic objectives: Increased spending is driven by broader activity scope, employee engagement, and cost pressures, reflecting a move beyond purely transactional event planning.
• Hotels remain the dominant venue: 74% of bookings are for hotel venues, reinforcing hotels as the primary infrastructure for corporate meetings and events.
• Employee engagement as a core driver: Nearly half of respondents cite engagement as a key reason for higher investment, highlighting events as tools for culture, retention, and connection.
• Safety and risk planning intensify: Security, regulatory compliance, and travel complexity are now integrated early in the planning process, with duty of care becoming central to event design.
• Sustainability becomes standard: All European events now request the removal of single-use items, reflecting a strong shift toward environmentally responsible event practices.
• Personalization and wellbeing gain importance: Companies are prioritizing tailored experiences, mental health, and holistic attendee wellbeing over generic event formats.
• Focus on measurable value: Organizations are increasingly using events to create tangible business outcomes and meaningful participant experiences, rather than simply hosting gatherings.

Source: FCM

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