Over the last two years, the MICE industry was turned on its head, with many companies and organisations switching their conferences, meetings and product launches from physical to virtual events.
While hundreds of tradeshows and conferences were axed due to lockdowns and international travel restrictions during the height of the pandemic, events are bouncing back in 2022.
After two years of Zoom calls and online events, the recovery of the MICE travel market has been faster than many expected, as people rush to gather for live events again as restrictions ease.
A recent report by the UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, suggests that exhibition revenues are expected to reach 73 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in 2022 and 87 per cent for the first half of 2023.
It will take some time to get back to 2019 performance levels, but we have already seen the return of many of Europe’s most prominent trade shows. The industry has adapted quickly to the changing landscape, with some large tradeshows, such as Viva Technology in Paris, adopting a hybrid approach – with delegates attending live and virtually.
While some businesses still have a level of vigilance, confidence is returning, and the MICE industry is looking forward to a busy autumn. Whether Automechanika in Frankfurt, Medica in Dusseldorf, or the World Travel Market in London, big events are back and welcoming exhibitors and visitors from around the world.
With corporate travel and incentive flights possible again, popular MICE destinations also see the green shoots of recovery. From Dublin to Dubrovnik, Lisbon to Los Cabos, companies are again looking for trips that will motivate and re-energise their top employees to keep putting in the hard work.
Travel challenges and why air charter
Reopening borders worldwide has without doubt provided greater certainty for businesses making decisions to allow their employees to attend events – but significant challenges remain for travel managers.
Recent months have seen airports and scheduled services across Europe stretched to breaking point by staff shortages and industrial action. With thousands of flights being cancelled or rescheduled, getting large groups to an event on time is an ongoing headache.
With the chaos of scheduled services set to continue, group air charter offers an ever more attractive option for avoiding delays, disruption and long queues.
Chartering an aircraft for group travel enables people to stay together in one party, avoiding the need for multiple flight bookings and having employees transit through busy airport hubs.
Group air charter can offer considerable cost and time-saving benefits versus scheduled services when considering airport queues and the risk of delays and cancellations.
It also gives MICE travel managers maximum flexibility on flight times and can enable the use of smaller and more convenient airports closer to the event venue.
Another notable benefit of group air charter is the ability to brand your aircraft for an occasion. Whether you’re launching a new product, hosting a media event, or are looking to tie things together, adding a touch of your brand can add lasting value. From custom check-in desks to IFE and headrest covers, the options are limitless.
Chartering an aircraft for your next event
Wherever your next conference, tradeshow or launch event is held, and however large your budget is, our group air charter specialists are on hand to help.
Since 2002, ACC Aviation has delivered market-leading air charter solutions to the MICE industry. The peerless service and emphasis on reliability have made the firm one of the fastest-growing and most respected aviation service providers.
ACC is also the exclusive marketing agent for an all-VIP 62-seat Boeing B757 – an ideal aircraft for MICE charters.
