Travel management company FCM has announced plans to expand its meetings and events business by promoting Simone Seiler to the role of global general manager of FCM M&E.
Sydney-based Seiler, who was previously general manager of FCM Meetings and Events, will oversee FCM’s “lofty ambitions” to expand its global meetings and events business and become a “worldwide leader” in the sector. FCM will also bring all of its global M&E businesses into one operation.
FCM said it wanted to take advantage of the current global “bounce back” in meetings and events following the pandemic, with a recent report by the TMC forecasting a compound annual growth rate of 6.6 per cent in the sector from 2022 to 2030.
Seiler said: “We believe the meetings, events and event travel markets are ripe for disruption worldwide. With this investment, we’re well-positioned to capitalise on the growing demand for high-quality and personalised event experiences that has seen an exponential bounce back.
“It’s clear the demand for in-person connection continues to increase, with recent data showing conferences and events being one of the top two reasons for travel among both SME owners and decision-makers.”
Marcus Eklund, FCM’s global managing director, called the meeting and events division the “not-so-secret jewel in the crown”.
“The M&E business has been firing in the last 18 months and the scope for growth is outstanding,” said Eklund. “With our superior technology and decades of industry experience within our teams, we couldn’t be in a better position to capitalise on industries that are desperate to be back to face-to-face.”
FCM Meetings & Events’ priorities include developing “innovative” technology and recruiting more staff to help it focus on areas such as providing meeting services, group travel and full event management from planning to delivery.