The preferred meeting room types of respondents are similar to pre-pandemic. Flexible layouts that can be tailored to the specific event remain very important. Lounge settings at events promote what Steelcase calls “The Linger Effect”: Long after the planned event concludes, we observe attendees remaining in these comfortable environments — continuing intriguing discussions, sharing information, and having meaningful conversations. This serves as a confirmation that attendees experience a positive emotional connection in the space. As we see acoustics growing as a top priority, meeting planners are less likely to sacrifice acoustical qualities for a room’s design features. Similarly, natural light is becoming increasingly important for meetings venues, with planners less likely to consider spaces without natural light than in 2019.
Figure 7: Likelihood of holding meetings by room types (1=extremely unlikely, 10=extremely likely)
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2023
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