Over the past two years, the events sector has been hit on several fronts. The pandemic was obviously a heavy blow, with activity stopping completely for several months, and the resumption of events has not been simple for the sector’s professionals. This exceptional situation has accentuated certain already latent issues, such as recruitment difficulties. So what are the challenges and outlook for autumn 2022?

Recruitment: a major challenge for the events sector

The relaunch of event activity happened gradually in the first half of 2022, with a notable acceleration in spring. Despite apparent dynamism and adaptation by the sector’s professionals, the Covid pandemic and all the associated restrictions have left their mark on the industry.

Indeed, the total halt of all event activity for several months resulted in a large loss of workforce. Many employees, intermittent workers and freelancers in all fields linked to events (caterers, filming agencies, decoration agencies, etc.) have left the profession. These staff losses are said to amount to around 30%, according to Benoît Ramozzi, general delegate of the association LÉVÉNEMENT. He adds that at present there is “a challenge in recruiting new talent”.

A survey carried out by Lab Event among professionals in the sector shows that 55% of companies are considering recruiting in the coming months (permanent contracts, fixed-term contracts and/or apprentices). It is even noted that 63% of the reception venues that responded to the survey will recruit by the end of the year.

According to this survey, there would be around 64,000 positions to fill in the events sector! It is therefore essential to develop the appeal of the industry’s careers, in order to highlight the diversity of the profiles sought.

Good prospects for autumn 2022

In terms of turnover

After difficult months for all players in the industry, recovery came gradually at the start of 2022. The end of mandatory indoor mask-wearing generated renewed interest in in-person events. May and June were thus synonymous with strong activity for the sector.

The study carried out by Lab Event at the end of the first half of 2022 shows that, of 120 respondents, 64% saw their turnover improve in June 2022 compared with June 2019. 60% of these events companies expect an increase in turnover for the end of the year compared with the same period in 2019. Others remain cautious or more uncertain, however.

This would nonetheless seem to be a sign that activity in the events industry is gradually returning to normal, thanks to the creativity and resilience of the sector’s players.

In terms of offers

Pushed into the background for several months, in-person events have seen their number rise over the past three months. To achieve this, all players in the sector have rethought their offer in order to diversify it and make it more flexible.

Events that make sense

Currently, participant involvement is a central element in organising an event. However, the message to be conveyed must not be forgotten either. Whether it is a product launch, a round table, a team-building session or a birthday, the corporate event must be the vehicle and the setting for that message. To this end, the sector’s professionals suggest focusing on the essentials and forgetting the superfluous, while choosing unusual venues and imagining original services that leave a lasting impression. Events can also be smaller in scale but more regular during the year.

Events that are going digital

While in-person events are still much appreciated because they create a human connection, it is now clear that digitalisation is an unavoidable notion in the events sector. Whether as a “plan B” or as the guiding line of the service, virtual finds its way into events. Today we talk about hybrid events, which are based on the “phygital”: a link between the physical world and the digital world.

The sector’s professionals design immersive and/or playful projects in which the participant is a stakeholder in the event. The overall scenography of the event venue, its decoration, lighting, sound system, greenery, catering menu, the activities offered and so on are all elements that influence participants’ experience. Augmented reality can also help reinforce this need for immersion.

More responsible events

Today, many event suppliers offer eco-responsible alternatives. Reducing an event’s environmental impact indeed concerns several aspects, whether before, during or after the project. For example:

• creating a scenography with recycled materials,
• reducing energy consumption with LEDs,
• hiring furniture and/or tableware,
• fighting food waste,
• using fresh, local products for the buffet,
• sorting waste,
• recycling materials and decor elements,

are all actions to implement to reduce the event’s ecological footprint. 

The events industry has gone through major upheavals in recent years and one of the sector’s companies’ major challenges will be to recruit talent. The outlook for autumn 2022 is nevertheless positive and points to a good recovery of in-person events.

Do not hesitate to contact our team, so that together we can imagine and build the event of your dreams in our private mansions.