UK conferences and meetings generated an estimated £19.3bn in direct spend during 2024, according to the latest UK Conference and Meeting Survey.
The research recorded 1.08m conferences and meetings across the UK last year. That is the highest annual volume since 2019 and represents a 12% increase on 2023.
The data points to growth not only in volume, but in event size. Medium and large meetings, defined as events with 101–500 delegates, accounted for 22% of all events in 2024, up from 15% the previous year.
UKCAMS estimates that spending was generated across venues and the wider destination, including accommodation, food and beverage, transport and local services.
Conference venues investing in infrastructure
Conference venues continued to invest heavily in their facilities. More than three-quarters of venues reported capital investment during 2024, matching the record levels seen in 2023.
Average spend per venue was £240,000. Around one in five venues invested more than £500,000.
The survey also recorded higher rates. The average daily delegate rate increased by 11% year on year, while the average 24-hour residential rate rose by 4%.
Corporate events were the largest segment
Corporate events made up the largest share of activity, with corporate clients accounting for 52% of all conferences and meetings, compared with 46% in 2019.
Government and public sector events represented 28% of the market; associations made up the remaining 20%.
For international business, venues said enquiries most commonly came directly from corporate clients, via UK-based agencies, through SaaS platforms such as Cvent, or from local convention bureaux.
The survey was sponsored by VisitBritain and conducted by Richard Smith of RJS Associates and Tony Rogers.
Paul Black, head of business events at VisitBritain, said: “VisitBritain is pleased to continue its support for the ‘UK Conference and Meeting Survey’ which provides important insights, research and data on the business events sector in the UK. This is one of the valuable tools we use to demonstrate the importance of events to UK Government.”
The full UKCAMS 2025 report is available at a cost of £220 plus VAT.