90% of professionals from across the business meetings and events sector have reported that rising employment costs have restricted their ability to recruit younger and entry?level staff, according to the latest survey by the Meetings Industry Association (MIA).
The research, conducted June 2026, focused on one of the industry’s most urgent priorities: its people. It also revealed that one in five organisations have experienced a reduction in workforce size in the last 12 months due to ongoing cost pressures, uncertainty in the market and anticipated decreases in demand.
Workforce structures shifting rapidly
More than half (51%) of respondents highlighted that the composition of their workforce has changed in the last 12 months, reflecting an industry in transition as employers rapidly adapt to rising costs and changing operational demands.
In particular, just over a quarter (26%) said they were focusing more on senior or experienced employees, while the same proportion increased multi?skilling across teams, suggesting that businesses are looking for smarter ways to strengthen capability and control costs without affecting operational performance.
Economic pressures are redefining recruitment
Rising operating costs are influencing recruitment plans for more than two-thirds (69%) of organisations, making them the most significant external pressure facing employers.
The potential impact of increased Employers’ National Insurance and National Minimum Wage was widely reported, and the latest MIA Insights reveal that they have affected recruitment plans for more than half of respondents.
Pressures such as these are directly impacting hiring decisions, as 4 in 10 organisations have delayed recruitment while a similar proportion (38%) have increased workloads for existing employees instead of hiring.
Wellbeing in the workplace
The findings reveal encouraging progress when it comes to wellbeing in the events industry, with more organisations embedding employee wellbeing into their culture and employees reporting strong levels of work-life balance.
This focus on wellbeing appears to be having a positive impact, with over three quarters (77%) agreeing with the statement: “I have a good work-life balance.”
Despite this progress, the findings also show there is still work to be done. Almost half (48%) report an increase in burnout, stress or wellbeing?related issues over the last 12 months, with high workloads identified as the leading cause, closely followed by staffing shortages and financial pressures.
These findings suggest that while organisations are making meaningful progress in embedding wellbeing into workplace culture, efforts to manage costs and operate with leaner workforces are increasing pressure on those remaining within the business.
The future workforce
Confidence in the industry’s ability to attract future talent remains mixed, with more than half (57%) of employers highlighting a lack of confidence about the sector’s ability to secure the workforce it needs in the years ahead.
This has led many employers to take action, with almost three quarters (73%) actively developing early?career staff for future leadership roles, and over a third of organisations (38%) increase their investment in training and development.
In particular, employers identified leadership, AI and automation, creativity, communication and customer experience as the most important skills for the next three to five years.
Chief Executive of the MIA, Shonali Devereaux, said: “Rising employment costs are clearly reshaping how organisations recruit and develop talent, particularly at entry level. The fact that nine in ten employers report reduced ability to hire younger staff is a significant warning sign for the future of our sector.
“While it is pleasing to see a sector that is readily adapting, investing in skills, embedding wellbeing and rethinking workforce structures to meet changing demands, these findings also highlight a real risk. If organisations are unable to bring enough new talent into the industry, we face the prospect of a shrinking workforce at a time when the skills and expertise needed to deliver world-class events are evolving rapidly.
“The results reinforce the conversations we are already having with industry partners and policymakers about the need to make careers in events more attractive, accessible and sustainable. Supporting employers’ ability to invest in people and to create clear pathways into the industry will be essential to securing the talent pipeline our sector needs in the years ahead.”
The June 2026 MIA Insights can be downloaded here.
