The UK's conference and meetings sector generated an estimated £22.5 billion in direct expenditure in 2025, according to the latest UK Conference and Meeting Survey (UKCAMS), highlighting the industry's continued resilience and economic significance.
The findings, published in the UKCAMS 2026 report, show the sector's contribution to the economy increased from £19.3 billion in 2024, driven by a rise in both event volumes and venue activity.
A total of 1.17 million conferences and meetings took place across the UK during 2025, representing an 8 per cent increase on the previous year and marking the highest number of events recorded since 2019.
The research, now in its 33rd consecutive year, also found that venues hosted an average of 337 conferences and meetings during 2025, up from 312 in 2024.
Investment in venues remained strong, with more than three-quarters (77 per cent) of venues reporting capital expenditure on their products and facilities. On average, those venues invested more than £200,000 during the year.
The report also highlights growing revenue performance across the sector. The average daily delegate rate achieved by venues reached £51 including VAT, while the average 24-hour residential rate rose to £187, up from £164 in 2024.
Corporate events continued to dominate demand, accounting for 59 per cent of all conferences and meetings in 2025, compared with 52 per cent the previous year. Government and public sector events represented 22 per cent of the market, while associations accounted for 19 per cent.
Meanwhile, a third of all events were organised by professional conference organisers (PCOs) or event management agencies, underlining the important role of intermediaries within the meetings ecosystem.
The UKCAMS research is widely used by venues, destinations, policymakers and industry stakeholders to demonstrate the value of the UK's meetings industry, identify emerging trends and support investment decisions at national, regional and local levels.
The 2026 study was sponsored by VisitBritain and carried out by Richard Smith of RJS Associates and Tony Rogers.
Tony Rogers, on behalf of the UKCAMS research team, said: "The UKCAMS research has consistently demonstrated the scale and importance of the conference and meetings industry to the national economy. The 2026 UKCAMS research programme reaffirms this importance and highlights the sector's resilience and its confidence in delivering business, research and educational benefits, both now and in the future."
A recent restructuring of VisitBritain’s business events division has resulted in funding and a number of roles being cut, including head of business events Paul Black. Industry leaders have warned that the loss of national coordination and specialist bid support could affect future international congress and convention bids, including major events scheduled through to 2030.
