> **来源：[研报客](https://pc.yanbaoke.cn)** # 2026 Planner Sourcing Report Summary ## Core Content The **2026 Cvent Planner Sourcing Report** provides insights into the evolving landscape of the event industry, focusing on how planners are adapting to rising costs, staffing challenges, and rapid technological advancements. The report is based on a survey of 1,650 professional event planners across six global regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). The data highlights a shift in priorities, increased reliance on technology, and a strategic approach to venue sourcing. ## Main Findings ### 1. **Shift in Success Metrics** - Planners are moving away from focusing solely on cost management and are prioritizing **attendee engagement** as the primary measure of event success. - **Attendee experience** is now the top KPI, with features like proximity to activities, networking-friendly layouts, and integrated food and beverage offerings being key considerations. - **Special event venues** (e.g., restaurants, cultural spaces) are becoming more popular due to their ability to enhance the attendee experience, even as cost pressures rise. ### 2. **Technology Adoption and AI Integration** - **75% of planners** use AI as part of their venue sourcing process, primarily for searching and selecting venues, analyzing attendee data, and comparing bids. - **60% of planners** plan to increase their use of AI in 2026, indicating a growing reliance on AI for better decision-making and efficiency. - **Digital RFP tools** are widely used (60%), with **42%** citing improved analytics and **34%** noting streamlined processes. These tools are essential for saving time and improving communication with venues. ### 3. **Balancing Experience and Cost** - Rising costs are a major concern, with **72%** of planners expecting costs to increase by up to 20% in 2026. - **Cost control** is now a top priority, with **35%** of planners citing it as their main concern, up from 30% in 2025. - Despite cost pressures, planners continue to seek **memorable and flexible venues** to deliver value and engagement, with **34%** considering cost as one of the top three factors when choosing special event venues. ### 4. **Structured Sourcing Processes** - A **defined sourcing process** is seen as a competitive advantage, with **97%** of planners reporting measurable cost and time savings. - **88%** of planners use a defined RFP and sourcing process for some, most, or all meetings, indicating a strong trend toward standardization. - Process efficiencies, venue comparison, and information gathering are the top benefits of using a structured process, with **42%** estimating cost savings of 10–30% and **44%** reporting time savings. ### 5. **RFP Response Expectations** - Most planners (63%) expect **RFP responses within four business days**, regardless of event size. - For events with **500 or more attendees**, some planners (30%) accept responses in more than a week or have no set time frame. - **Speed, transparency, and comparability** are the key expectations for RFP responses, with **20%** of planners believing venues can improve customization of proposals and **21%** emphasizing the need for better answers to custom questions. ## Key Takeaways - **Attendee engagement** is now the primary success metric, surpassing cost management. - **AI adoption is accelerating**, with planners seeking more intelligent tools to enhance decision-making and efficiency. - **Technology is critical**, but it must evolve to meet the industry’s needs, especially in terms of personalization and responsiveness. - **Structured sourcing processes** are becoming standard practice, offering measurable savings and improving communication and decision-making. - **Cost control** is a growing concern, but planners are still willing to invest in venues that offer unique, flexible, and engaging experiences. ## Regional Insights | Region | Event Volume Expectations | Success Metric | Top Venue Factors | RFP Response Time | |----------------|---------------------------|----------------|------------------|-------------------| | **North America** | 70% expect increase (up to 20%) | Attendee engagement (32%) | Dates, proposal quality, ease of negotiation | 4 days | | **Latin America** | 55% expect growth (11–20%) | Attendee satisfaction (39%) | Rates and costs (38%) | 4 days | | **Europe** | 30% expect same or decrease | Attendee engagement (37%) | Cost (31%) | 4 days | | **Asia** | 74% expect increase (up to 20%) | Attendee engagement (63%) | Flexibility, proximity, amenities | 4 days | | **Australia** | 79% expect increase (up to 20%) | Attendee engagement (63%) | Flexibility, networking layout | 4 days | | **Middle East & Africa** | 77% expect increase | Attendee engagement (63%) | Cost (33%) | 4 days | ## Conclusion The 2026 report underscores a clear trend: **event planners are seeking value through engagement and experience**, not just cost savings. Technology, particularly AI, is playing an increasingly vital role in enabling this shift, but only when it aligns with the planners’ needs for speed, transparency, and customization. Venues that offer **unique, flexible, and data-driven experiences** while maintaining strong, responsive relationships with planners will be the ones that thrive in this evolving landscape.