More events, more noise
With most organizers holding or growing in-person events, standing out takes more than a listing. Coverage gives an event third-party credibility.
Event industry by the numbers
Event marketing statistics for 2026
Events are growing in 2026: 84% of consumer marketers plan to spend more on events, and 86.4% of organizers will hold as many or more in-person events.
This page, published by Susan von Seggern, collects published 2026 event industry statistics that matter to organizers deciding whether to invest in event PR. Every figure is quoted from its source and linked so you can check it. None of these are Susan von Seggern’s own numbers; her figures appear on the home page.
Last updated November 2026 · Published by Susan von Seggern
Are in-person events still worth investing in for 2026?
Published surveys say yes. Nearly half of event marketers (47%) say in-person events deliver the highest ROI, per Splash data reported by NextGen Event Co., and 77% of event professionals expect attendance to match or beat pre-pandemic levels.
More events also means more competition for attention, which is where earned media coverage helps an event stand out.
The statistics
Grouped as published. Click a source to read the original page.
84%
of consumer marketers will increase event spending in 2026, with a third increasing budgets by 8 to 15%, according to EventTrack 2026.
Source: Kande Photo Booths, Experiential Marketing Statistics 2026
47%
of event marketers say in-person events have the highest ROI (Splash).
Source: NextGen Event Co., 8 Event Marketing Statistics You Need to Know 2026
86.4%
of event organizers plan to maintain or increase the number of in-person events in 2026 compared to last year.
Source: NextGen Event Co., 8 Event Marketing Statistics You Need to Know 2026
67%
of event professionals expect an increase in overall meeting spend in 2026, with 13% predicting an increase of more than 10%.
Source: NextGen Event Co., 8 Event Marketing Statistics You Need to Know 2026
40%
B2B event marketing has the largest share of the event marketing industry.
Source: NextGen Event Co., 8 Event Marketing Statistics You Need to Know 2026
77%
of event professionals expect attendance to match or exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2026 (American Express Global Meetings and Events Forecast 2026).
Source: Remo.co, 70+ Event Statistics for Organizers in 2026
61%
of attendees say networking and collaboration are their primary reasons for attending professional events (Booking.com Business 2026).
Source: Remo.co, 70+ Event Statistics for Organizers in 2026
$2.5T
projected size of the global events industry by 2035, growing at a 6.8% CAGR (Allied Market Research).
Source: Remo.co, 70+ Event Statistics for Organizers in 2026
32.9%
of internet users aged 16+ discover new brands, products and services via search engines.
What the numbers mean for event PR
Read together, these figures point to three practical conclusions for organizers.
Corporate events carry weight
B2B holds the largest share of event marketing at 40%, which is why corporate clients are a priority for Susan von Seggern.
Discovery happens in search
With 32.9% of internet users discovering brands via search engines, coverage that ranks keeps working long after the event.
Common questions
Short answers to the questions organizers ask most. The full list lives on the FAQ page.
Is PR better than advertising for an event?
It works differently. Earned coverage is not bought placement, so it carries third-party credibility; Richard Branson put it this way: a good PR story is infinitely more effective than a front page ad. Editors decide what runs, so coverage is never guaranteed, and many organizers combine PR with some paid promotion.
More in the event PR FAQHow quickly does event PR produce coverage?
Timing varies with the story and the outlet. As a market reference, Los Angeles agency Public Haus says on its homepage that most of its clients begin seeing initial media coverage or influencer traction within the first 30 days. Lead service responses can land faster, because the journalist has already asked for that kind of source.
More in the event PR FAQWho is event PR in Los Angeles for?
It is for organizers and producers of premieres, festivals, conferences, concerts, fundraisers, fashion shows, openings and launches who want earned media coverage. Susan von Seggern currently prioritizes event and corporate clients, and she also works with cause and cultural clients.
More in the event PR FAQDoes Susan von Seggern handle corporate events and product launches?
Yes. Corporate PR is part of her background, and corporate clients are a current priority. Press releases on her website include the October 2026 Remotesome AI Transformation launch, IceWind’s Arctic Circle turbine deployment and a Bitcoin Association scholarship. Corporate event work can include conference exhibiting, speaking and media intro events.
More in the event PR FAQDoes she work with festivals and conferences?
Yes. Examples on her website include CONTACT in the DESERT, which its 2017 release described as the largest UFO conference in the US, the Hollywood Carnival parade and festival on Hollywood Boulevard, and the DIY Convention at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
More in the event PR FAQCan a publicist guarantee press coverage?
No honest publicist guarantees coverage, because editors decide what runs. A publicist controls the story, the targeting, the timing and the follow-up. Susan von Seggern relies on sustained outreach and daily lead service monitoring to create as many qualified chances for coverage as possible.
More in the event PR FAQPlanning an event in Los Angeles?
Tell Susan von Seggern the date, venue and what makes it news. Event and corporate inquiries go straight to her contact form.