FCM, the alternative travel management company, has announced
the global expansion of its meetings and events division – FCM M&E.
FCM is expanding the division as it sees events, event
travel and meetings as leading the business travel bounce back, with
the meetings and event market size expected to grow by 7 per cent to reach
$1563.3bn by 2030.
The expansion starts with the appointment of global general manager
Simone Seiler, a travel industry expert with more than 20 years’ experience in
the business events sector.
“We believe the meetings, events, and event
travel markets are ripe for disruption worldwide. With this
investment, we’re well-positioned to capitalise on the growing demand
for high-quality and personalised event experiences that has seen an
exponential bounceback,” Seiler said.
“It’s clear the demand for in-person connection
continues to increase, with recent data showing conferences and events being
one of the top two reasons for travel among both SME owners and
decision-makers. The passion and engagement we’re seeing is very
encouraging, and this is something that has and continues to be felt
globally.
“We have a talented and diverse FCM
M&E leadership team in key markets across the globe who
are genuinely thrilled at the opportunity to elevate our MICE offering
across our prospective and existing client base.”
A recent white paper by FCM M&E revealed that MICE
market size, in terms of revenue, is expected to grow at a compound annual
growth rate of 6.6 per cent from 2022 to 2030 to reach USD1563.3 billion by
2030.
The announcement is a significant milestone for FCM M&E,
said Seiler.
“What’s particularly exciting is just how big the MICE
industry is globally, and we know we have an incredible opportunity
to both grow and position ourselves as the travel management company of choice
for meetings, events, and event travel,” she added.
“We’re experiencing and anticipating a steady
annual growth rate of demand at 12 per cent year on year for
in-person meetings, which means we have some exciting opportunities coming our
way.
“We’re thrilled to embark on this new chapter for
FCM M&E, and with an exceptionally talented team globally, I’m very
confident we can achieve our ambitious goals.”
Marcus Eklund, FCM global MD, said the M&E division was
the not-so-secret jewel in the crown of the industry sector and its expansion
reflected the growing global in-person demand.
“FCM is a business that is proudly global, with a footprint
in more than 100 countries worldwide, but we stay loyal to our mantra of our
‘glocal’ approach where we have industry experts leading their own regional
teams to cater for different cultural requirements,” said Eklund.
“The M&E business has been firing in the last 18 months
and the scope for growth is outstanding. With our superior technology and decades
of industry experience within our teams, we couldn’t be in a better position to
capitalise on industries that are desperate to be back to face-to-face.
“Recent research published by GBTA* stated that more than
eight in 10 executives prefer in-person meetings to virtual contact and that’s
certainly something we’ve experienced in recent times.
“I’d also like to offer my congratulations to Simone, who
has been part of the very fabric of our M&E business for many years, her
appointment is the perfect example of the ‘Brightness of Future’ we offer our
employees at FCTG.”
FCM Meetings & Events is planning to focus on three core
areas:
- Meetings: Provide a wide range of meeting services,
including venue sourcing, managed meetings, basic planning, and onsite support
- Event Travel: Offer group travel, from flights and hotels,
through to transfers and team building
- Events: Provide full event management services including
planning, strategies, execution, and delivery.
