Agencies Release New Event Cost Forecasts for 2027
Maritz and J. Shay index projections signal upcoming shifts in pricing for corporate meetings and event services.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Inflation
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Maritz Global Events and J. Shay Event Solutions have unveiled new cost indices aimed at forecasting expenses for corporate events through 2027. These projections provide organizers with data-driven insights into the anticipated pricing of meeting spaces, food, and beverage services.
Why it matters
Understanding these cost trajectories allows companies to better budget for corporate gatherings in an evolving economic landscape. By tracking supplier costs, organizers can mitigate the impact of price fluctuations on their overall event spending.
The indices aggregate current market figures from 2025 and 2026 against projected costs for 2027. This data draws from industry sources including GBTA, CoStar, and the USDA to forecast spending on meeting space and professional services.
The players
Maritz Global Events
An organization that provides event management services and regularly updates its corporate cost indices quarterly.
J. Shay Event Solutions
A Dallas-based firm that specializes in event planning and has released a new index comparing 2027 costs to previous data.
The details
Maritz Global Events collects proprietary data from suppliers located in tier-1 cities, while J. Shay Event Solutions incorporates metrics from large meeting and incentive properties nationwide. The indices were formally introduced to industry professionals at the IMEX America Show.
Timeline
Maritz Global Events index covers cost data for 2025 and 2026.
Both agencies released price forecasts for the year 2027.
The indices were unveiled in mid-October 2026 at the IMEX America Show.
Macro View
This report follows a pattern set by the GBTA business travel index data in standardizing how corporate sectors project future inflationary impacts on travel-related spending. These indices mirror efforts to formalize event budgets during periods of fluctuating service costs.
These indices help event planners and business owners set more accurate budgets for upcoming fiscal years by accounting for anticipated service price increases. This transparency allows for better financial planning and reduces the risk of unexpected budget shortfalls.
The takeaway
Maintaining access to updated service indices is critical for businesses looking to stabilize their long-term event expenditures. Planners should regularly review these quarterly forecasts to adjust their spending strategies as market conditions change.
What happens next
Maritz Global Events plans to provide quarterly updates to its index to account for ongoing changes in food, beverage, and meeting space costs.
Further reading
For broader trends on price volatility, see the Inflation section.
More information
Read the complete J. Shay corporate event cost index on the organization's official portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Meetings Today.
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Do rising event costs make it harder for you to justify hosting in-person business meetings?
