Project lead times have declined by 25 per cent in the last
year, according to a new report by Sledge.
The report, Events And Content Must Go On: Insights and
Soundbites to Overcome Lead Time and Budgetary Challenges, is designed to arm
industry professionals with the tools to navigate the current events landscape.
It reveals first hand lead time figures, based on Sledge's
own projects, analyses those factors impacting them, delves into solutions for
managing them, and concludes with an exploration of the future of lead
times.
The report says: “In the US, for example, our event
timelines saw a 25 per cent reduction between 2023 and 2024 alone, and when it
comes to global film projects, turnaround times similarly saw a 25 per cent
decline.
“When we consider UK-based events, three months was the
average lead time from briefing to delivery for larger scale conferences
between May 2023 and May 2024. Meanwhile, for smaller-scale projects, such as
activations within wider events and exhibitions, average lead times were four
to six weeks over the same period.”
The report adds that there are several factors that have
paved the way for this trend, including an impending global recession, under-resourced
teams, a lack of forward planning, and internal and external perceptions.
To access the full report, click here.
