Meeting professionals in the US and Europe have reported a 10 per cent increase in full-time employment since October 2011, despite global economic concerns according to the latest Business Barometer from Meeting Professionals International (MPI).

An increase in part-time and contract employment of 15 per cent was also reported by meetings professionals in the US. Available candidates from the industry pool shrank during the past few years as meeting professionals turned to new careers or launched their own companies – which has boosted competition and pricing pressure and heightened the importance of training.

Growth in business has required companies that were doing ‘more with less’ to hire, and if necessary train, new employees and narrow their market scope while increasing the number of services they offer so that they can compete in an overcrowded market place.

The MPI survey also shows that weaknesses in the eurozone and political and economic turmoil in the US have pushed third-party planners and suppliers to develop strategic marketing plans and improve their efficiency, while corporate and association planners are relying on aggressive contract negotiations and planning further ahead to lock in low prices.

Attendance levels for events in both North America and Europe also reversed direction in December, with meeting professionals indicating an increase of approximately 1.5 per cent, and those in Canada noting an increase of one per cent over attendance figures from 2010.

Planners also highlighted a consistent increase of one per cent for budget/spend in North America and Europe to support claims that the industry is undergoing a gradual recovery. The US is seeing its greatest gains in the corporate sector, while gains in Canada and Europe are being driven by international association business.

However, some third-party planners, individual properties and specific service providers reported a consistent decline in business for 2011.