At the first-ever 2025 FACTS Summit & Expo in Sydney, Flight Centre Corporate’s FCM Meetings & Events revealed that events now make up 68 per cent of business travel – and how savvy procurement teams are making the most of this opportunity.
Flight Centre Corporate’s 2025 State of the Market survey found that conferences and events now drive more than two-thirds (68%) of all global business travel, overtaking client and supplier meetings for the first time. Corporate events have continued to grow year-on-year globally since 2022.
The shift from conferences being logistics exercises to strategic business investments means procurement’s role has evolved.
FCM Meetings & Events General Manager of Customer & Operations Katie Fraser shared how forward-thinking procurement teams are seizing this collaborative opportunity to deliver better value and partnerships that drive real business impact.
“Events are powerful tools for building culture, engaging people and driving business results. When events make up most of your travel spend, procurement becomes the game-changer for companies that get it right,” she said.
Fraser shared her winning procurement strategies, including finding the event purpose to set clear measurable outcomes for both ROI and return on experience, and setting KPIs that focus on teamwork and results, not just cost reduction.
She said successful procurement teams understand that events are business drivers, not travel extensions.
“The companies that nail events procurement are seeing the strongest returns from their travel programs,” she said.
Find out more at fcmtravel.com
