• December 1, 2025

veSpace reveals client updates, booking trends & more at Partner Summit

veSpace reveals client updates, booking trends & more at Partner Summit

veSpace reveals client updates, booking trends & more at Partner Summit 1024 679 micebook.

The veSpace Partner Summit 2025 brought together 180 global venue representatives, suppliers and partners at the Kia Oval last month to explore the state of the industry, celebrate new client wins, and share insights on what’s shaping meetings and events in the year ahead.

The day began with a welcome and overview of the day from chief strategy office Chris Parnham, followed by a State of the Nation address from CEO Anita Lowe and COO Kim Cavilla. This was followed by panel featuring insights from clients at Wood Mac and Balfour Beatty, a presentation from Cvent and Venue Directory, and break-out groups focusing on Large Events, High Volume Bookings and Incentives/Luxury.

Group update

Over the past year the veSpace International Group – the new umbrella brand launched earlier this year – has secured a series of notable wins, and expanded client partnerships with brands such as BMW, Nestlé, Unilever, AXA, Balfour Beatty and NFU Mutual.

Several longstanding clients have renewed or increased their scope of work, while others that had moved away have returned, underscoring the strength of relationships and the agency’s reputation for consistency, expertise and proactive support.

Much of the new work spans multiple veSpace brands, demonstrating how clients are increasingly drawing on the group’s full suite of services, from venue sourcing and project management to activations, creative and production.

Booking trends

While 2025 brought record RFP volumes and continued growth in event values across the UK, this year has been more complex. The market is experiencing tightening budgets and some regional fluctuations yet demand for quality events remains robust. Smaller meetings continue to dominate the pipeline, and although RFP volumes have dipped slightly, the value of confirmed business is rising.

Patterns in sourcing also continue to shift, with London still absorbing a major share of enquiries but regional cities competing more aggressively as planners look for stronger value and alternative options.

Client insights

Clients emphasised that today’s audiences demand more than information – they want meaningful, human-centred experiences. That means shorter, sharper content, greater emphasis on wellbeing, and environments that encourage connection and co-creation.

Sustainability continues to shape decision-making, with clear demand for honest, operational detail rather than superficial policy statements. Food waste, venue practices and material reuse all featured as areas where clients expect tangible progress, not just ambition.

Technology also made its way into the conversation, especially artificial intelligence. While there’s still hesitation around fully trusting AI-led processes, clients are already using tools like Microsoft Copilot to streamline admin and accelerate content creation.

The consensus was that AI will support teams, not supplant them, allowing planners and agencies to focus more time on creativity, strategy and relationship-building.

What resonated most strongly, however, was the thread of partnership that ran through every session. Whether discussing account management, sustainability or creative problem-solving, clients and suppliers echoed the same sentiment: the most successful events happen when everyone works in genuine collaboration.

The day ended with the inaugural veSpace Awards, which acknowledged the contributions of partner organisations and individuals who had gone above and beyond. Ryan Brierley-Doyle picked up account manager of the year, De Vere was awarded brand of the year, QHotels Collection was recognised for Event of the Year and Miguel Dos Santos at Hyatt Hotels for Product Knowledge Session of the Year.

 

 

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