The first wave of insights is in from the Business of Events Survey, and the results are already telling a powerful story about where our industry stands and where it needs to go.
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share their perspective so far. If you haven’t yet, there’s still time to add your voice: Business of Events – A Survey for Event Professionals
What the Data is Telling Us
A few themes are emerging loud and clear:
Pricing Transparency vs. Adoption
While 82% of professionals want pricing transparency, only 41% support a standardized model. This gap between what we say we want and what we’re prepared to adopt shows that the industry is still wrestling with how transparency works in practice.
RFP Reform is Urgent
A striking 82% report experiencing unfair or exploitative RFPs. This reflects a major structural issue that continues to undermine fair competition, compensation, and sustainability.
Shared Standards Have Strong Support
88% support a standard code of conduct76% support some form of accreditation (65% optional, 12% mandatory)
76% back a shared code of ethics, but enforcement remains the big question
Barriers to Entry
47% believe barriers to entry in the events industry are too low, raising concerns about professionalism, quality, and long-term sustainability.
Coalition Appetite
Appetite for collaboration is growing, but cautious:
35% support a coalition outright
47% say “it depends on structure”
12% are not supportive
What Does This Mean for Our Industry?
There’s a clear desire for better practices — but also skepticism about how (or if) they’ll take hold. This tension between belief and adoption is where the real conversation needs to happen.
Professionals are aligned on the problems: lack of transparency, exploitative practices, weak standards, and low entry barriers.
But we’re not yet aligned on the solutions: How do we enforce ethics? What does fair pricing look like? How do we balance openness with professionalism?
This gap between vision and action is the space where the Business of Events movement is taking root.
What We’ve Launched So Far
The survey is only the beginning. We’re building the framework for dialogue, advocacy, and reform in several key ways:
The White Paper
Our final White Paper is now published and available as a PDF. It lays the groundwork for industry-wide discussion, advocacy, and action. Read it here and feel free to share it with your networks.
LinkedIn Working Group (Public-Facing)
We’ve launched a LinkedIn Group to bring these conversations into the public sphere, expand our visibility, and engage with broader networks. This is where we’ll push insights, share updates, and invite more professionals into the movement. Join the LinkedIn Group here
Where We Go Next
The data makes it clear: our industry wants reform — but it also reveals hesitation. That’s why we need more voices in the mix. The more perspectives we collect, the clearer the picture becomes, and the stronger the case for meaningful change.
This is our moment to:
- Push for fair, transparent, and sustainable business practices.
- Build shared standards that protect both professionals and clients.
- Create a coalition strong enough to influence the future of the Canadian events industry.
We’ll continue to share results and progress as we move forward on the roadmap for the Business of Events.
The question is no longer whether change is needed — it’s whether we as an industry will choose to make it happen.
Add your voice today. Take the survey, join the LinkedIn Group, and step into the conversation on Discord. Together, we can shape the future of events in Canada.