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oneworld Unveils Enhanced Tool for Meetings and Events

oneworld® has recently launched its revamped Meetings and Events product, aimed at simplifying the planning and organization of international events. This enhancement comes on the heels of new research from the travel trend forecasting agency, Globetrender, which identifies seven significant trends expected to shape global meetings and events from 2027 to 2030.

The newly upgraded oneworld Meetings and Events service provides event planners with access to preferential rates among the 15 member airlines of the oneworld alliance, effectively linking participants to a vast network of flights serving nearly 1,000 destinations worldwide. This tool is designed specifically for groups of 50 or more travelers, who will gather at a common destination, ensuring that organizations can efficiently facilitate travel arrangements for their attendees.

Roger Blackburn, the Vice President for Commercial and Loyalty at oneworld, stated at the IMEX Las Vegas conference, “Even in an increasingly digitized world, studies show the enduring value of face-to-face meetings. These interactions create relationships, ideas, and opportunities that are often difficult to replicate virtually.” The new tool aims to streamline the process of bringing people together for these valuable networking opportunities.

Trends Shaping Future Events

The launch of the updated tool coincides with an insightful report detailing seven trends that will significantly influence the meetings and events industry within the next few years. The seven key trends highlighted in the Globetrender report are:

1. The Human Premium: With AI making information ubiquitous, the value of human contact is increasing and becoming essential in the business world.
2. ROI of Presence: Rising travel costs compel organizers to demonstrate the benefits of in-person attendance, prioritizing meaningful outcomes over sheer numbers.
3. Experience-First Events: Conferences are adopting features from festivals and immersive entertainment to transform passive audiences into active participants.
4. Place as Content: The host city is increasingly becoming a main attraction, with local experiences influencing attendees' decisions to participate.
5. Geocompression: Long-haul flights, expanding airline networks, and geopolitical changes are redefining the landscape of potential event destinations.
6. Loyalty Ecosystems: Collaborations between airlines and hotels create more interconnected travel experiences, where recognition and rewards extend beyond just the flight.
7. Meetings I Fly: Airports and hotels are evolving to become destinations in their own rights, especially appealing for conferences.

The Shift Towards Meaningful Connection

As outlined by Jenny Southan, the CEO of Globetrender, we are entering a new golden age of in-person gatherings. “As information is readily available, people's demand for physical presence is increasing,