oneworld Relaunches Meetings and Events Sales Tool as New Research Reveals the Future of Global Gatherings

oneworld ® has relaunched its dedicated Meetings & Events product, designed to make international event travel easier to organise.

Overview
- oneworld® has relaunched its dedicated Meetings & Events product.
- The program helps event planners organize international travel more efficiently.
- It offers access to preferential fares across 15 member airlines.
- Delegates can travel through a global network covering nearly 1,000 destinations worldwide.

Purpose of the Program
- Simplifies travel arrangements for large international events.
- Enables attendees to book flights independently while benefiting from event-specific airline offers.
- Supports:
- Corporate meetings
- Industry conferences
- Association conventions
- Religious gatherings
- Large private celebrations

How It Works
- Designed for events with a minimum of 50 independently traveling delegates.
- Organizers receive a dedicated booking link.
- The link can be shared directly with attendees or embedded on event websites.
- Delegates choose flight schedules that best suit their travel plans.

Globetrender Report: Meetings & Events Trends 2027-2030
1. The Human Premium
- AI is making information more accessible than ever.
- Face-to-face interaction is becoming more valuable.
- Personal connections, trust, and relationship-building are gaining importance.

2. The ROI of Presence
- Rising travel costs are increasing scrutiny on event budgets.
- Organizations are focusing on measurable outcomes rather than attendee numbers.
- Events must demonstrate clear business value.

3. Experience-First Events
- Conferences are becoming more immersive and engaging.
- Organizers are adopting ideas from:
- Festivals
- Entertainment experiences
- Fan culture
- Participants are expected to actively engage rather than passively attend.

4. Destination as Content
- The destination itself is becoming a key attraction.
- Local culture, attractions, and experiences influence attendance decisions.
- Travelers increasingly view destinations as part of the event experience.

5. Geo-Compression
- Ultra-long-haul flights and expanded airline networks are making distant locations more accessible.
- Geopolitical developments are reshaping global event destinations.
- More cities are becoming viable hosts for international gatherings.

6. Loyalty Ecosystems
- Airline and hotel partnerships are becoming more integrated.
- Travelers can enjoy connected rewards and recognition across their journey.
- Loyalty benefits extend beyond flights alone.

7. Meet Me Airside
- Airports and airport-adjacent hotels are emerging as event venues.
- These locations offer convenience and global connectivity.
- Airport ecosystems are evolving into destinations for meetings and conferences.

Executive Insights
Roger Blackburn, Vice President Commercial & Loyalty, oneworld
- Emphasized the enduring value of in-person meetings despite digital communication.
- Stated that successful events create relationships, ideas, and opportunities that cannot be easily replicated virtually.
- Said the relaunched platform will make global gatherings easier to organize.

Jenny Southan, CEO, Globetrender
- Described the coming years as a "new golden age of gathering."
- Highlighted that physical presence is becoming more valuable as digital communication becomes effortless.
- Believes future events must provide compelling reasons to travel and memorable experiences for attendees.

Key Takeaway
The relaunch of oneworld Meetings & Events strengthens support for global conferences and large gatherings by providing streamlined airline booking solutions, while new research suggests that human connection, immersive experiences, destination appeal, and integrated travel ecosystems will define the future of meetings and events between 2027 and 2030.