Australia’s business events sector is emerging from the disruption of the pandemic into a period of stabilisation, with the trend for shorter lead times continuing, and executive assistants managing larger budgets, according to findings released today from the Executive PA corporate event organizer survey.
The survey, which ran annually up to 2019, tracks changes in event activity since COVID restrictions ended nationally in September 2022, when an understaffed sector was required to absorb a surge of postponed events, while corporates rushed to reconnect with clients, workforces and key stakeholders. Business events quickly became a central tool in rebuilding relationships, despite significant pressure on suppliers and organisers alike.
Three years on, the survey findings point to a more measured operating environment. Event activity is recovering, but at a sustainable pace, with organisers continuing to work to shorter deadlines; a trend identified by the survey in 2019.
Shorter lead times remain a defining challenge. For events under 100 people, 66 per cent of executive assistant reported being given less than three months to plan, up from 60 per cent in 2019. Larger events are following a similar trend, with 27 per cent now planned within three months, compared with 19 per cent previously. These compressed timelines continue to place pressure on suppliers, particularly when combined with ongoing workforce constraints.
Employee engagement remains a consistent priority. In 2019, 81 per cent of executive assistants reported running employee engagement events, following a sharp increase from earlier years. The 2026 survey shows this figure has held steady.
The proportion of organisations running more than 50 events annually declined from 41 per cent in 2019 to 36 per cent in 2025, broadly aligning with levels reported in 2018. At the same time, the number of executive assistants directly involved in organising 20 or more events has increased significantly, which could be a consequence of staff and time constraints.
The survey also highlights interesting destination shifts. While Sydney remains the most frequently used city, Brisbane, Adelaide and to a lesser extent Canberra have recorded gains, likely supported by major infrastructure investment and, in Brisbane’s case, growing momentum ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.
Venue preferences indicate a return to familiarity. Hotels, purpose-built venues and retreats continue to attract strong EA engagement, which could be a reflection of time poor corporates looking for easy to use venues for their events.
The survey confirms the continued influence of executive assistants in supplier selection, with over nine out of ten (95%) per cent of respondents reporting that their preferred supplier is always accepted.
Use of support agencies has also increased, with convention bureaux usage rising from 13 per cent in 2019 to 25 per cent, and destination management companies seeing similar growth.
Copies of the 2026 Executive PA corporate event organizer survey can be found at magazine stands around the show area.
Alternatively, if you’re visiting AIME, contact one of the Executive PA Media team who will bring a copy over to you.
Russell Peacock at Russell.Peacock@executivepa.com 0405809379
Maddy McColl Administration@executivepa.com 0405 818 796
Sophie Prior Sophie.prior@executivepa.com 0416 558 457