84%
of consumer marketers will increase event spending in 2026, according to EventTrack 2026, with a third increasing budgets by 8 to 15%.
Source: Experiential Marketing Statistics 2026, Kande Photo Booths
Event PR by the numbers
Event PR by the numbers: what 2026 research says
Last updated: November 2026. Published by Susan von Seggern.
Is event spending going up in 2026?
Yes, according to published 2026 research. EventTrack 2026, as reported by Kande Photo Booths, found 84% of consumer marketers will increase event spending in 2026. This page, compiled by Susan von Seggern, collects the strongest published statistics on events and PR, each with its source, so producers and companies can plan with real figures.
Published event and PR statistics for 2026
Each figure is stated as its source published it. None of these numbers are Susan von Seggern's own results.
86.4%
of event organizers plan to maintain or increase the number of in-person events in 2026 compared to last year.
Source: 8 Event Marketing Statistics You Need to Know 2026, NextGen Event Co
70%
of planners expect the number of in-person meetings to increase.
Source: 390 Event Statistics Shaping the Industry in 2026, Cvent
67%
of event professionals expect an increase in overall meeting spend in 2026, with 13% predicting an increase of more than 10%.
Source: 8 Event Marketing Statistics You Need to Know 2026, NextGen Event Co
47%
of event marketers, nearly half, say in-person events have the highest ROI (Splash).
Source: 8 Event Marketing Statistics You Need to Know 2026, NextGen Event Co
61%
of attendees say they are more inclined to purchase after attending a brand event.
Source: 40+ Experiential Marketing Statistics You Need to Know in 2026, Cvent
40%
is the share of the industry held by B2B event marketing, the most significant share.
Source: 8 Event Marketing Statistics You Need to Know 2026, NextGen Event Co
5.78%
is the projected compound annual growth rate of the global PR market between 2024 and 2029.
Source: Public Relations Statistics: Trends and Data for 2026, Sprout Social
61.63%
of the PR market was held by agency-based outsourced PR, with that segment expected to expand at a 7.64% CAGR through 2031; digital and online media captured 57.84% of 2025 spend.
Source: Public Relations Statistics: Trends and Data for 2026, Sprout Social
Susan von Seggern's own working figures
These describe how Susan works, as stated on her main website. They are not outcome claims.
How Susan von Seggern works, in numbers
- years working in PR in Los Angeles
- 20+
- years working in PR in Los Angeles
- pillars in her media relations framework
- 4
- pillars in her media relations framework
- lead service feeds she monitors daily
- 5
- lead service feeds she monitors daily
- event PR formats in her events pillar
- 6
- event PR formats in her events pillar
What do these numbers mean for event producers and companies?
If more organizers are holding in-person events and more marketers are increasing event budgets, more events compete for the same media attention. That makes a clear news angle and sustained outreach more important, not less.
Read how that plays out in practice in the main guide on event PR in Los Angeles, or on the corporate event PR page.
How we chose what to include
Statistics were selected for relevance to event producers and companies planning publicity. Each is quoted with its full range and conditions and linked to the page that published it. Duplicate figures appearing in more than one source are listed once.
This page was written by Susan von Seggern, who publishes this site about her own services. It is not an independent review. Read more on how this site forms its advice.
Common questions
Short answers to what event producers and companies ask most. See all 44 answers on the event PR FAQ page.
Are companies spending more on events in 2026?
Published research suggests yes. EventTrack 2026, as reported by Kande Photo Booths, found 84% of consumer marketers will increase event spending in 2026, with a third increasing budgets by 8 to 15%. NextGen Event Co reports 67% of event professionals expect higher overall meeting spend in 2026, with 13% predicting an increase of more than 10%.
See this answer in the FAQIs event PR better than paid advertising?
They do different jobs. Advertising buys placement you control, while PR earns coverage that a journalist chose to run. Susan’s main website quotes Richard Branson: a good PR story is infinitely more effective than a front page ad. Many events use both, with PR building credibility and advertising adding reach where coverage alone will not.
See this answer in the FAQHow do you know if event PR worked?
The clearest measure is earned coverage: articles, broadcast segments, podcast episodes and mentions that ran because of the campaign. Other signals include media attendance, interview requests and lead service placements. Agree on goals before outreach starts, such as target outlets or audiences, so results can be judged against what the campaign set out to do.
See this answer in the FAQWhat is the difference between an event marketing company and an event publicist?
An event marketing company often handles promotion, ticket campaigns, social ads and sometimes production. An event publicist focuses on earned media: pitching journalists, writing press releases and creating moments the press wants to cover. Susan works on the publicity side. If you need production or paid promotion, you may hire a separate partner alongside a publicist.
See this answer in the FAQHow much does event PR cost in Los Angeles?
Susan von Seggern does not publish fixed prices, because each campaign is individualized. Cost generally depends on how long the campaign runs, how many of the four pillars it uses, whether a paid newswire release is included and how many media moments the event needs. The most reliable way to get a number is to send an inquiry with your dates and goals.
See this answer in the FAQWho is Susan’s event PR best suited for?
Event producers, festival organizers and companies that host or attend events are the main fit. Susan consults for event, corporate, cause and cultural clients. Her approach works best for clients who are interesting, newsworthy and active, meaning they have real news, a strong lineup or a story that reporters can actually use.
See this answer in the FAQHave an event that deserves coverage?
Send Susan your event dates, location and what makes it newsworthy. Event and corporate inquiries go straight to her contact form.