In new data from Corporate Travel Management (CTM), 44 per cent of respondents ranked conferences, events and trade shows as the main purpose of their business travel.
The global survey of 702 Millennial and Gen Z employees was conducted in March 2025, with 86 per cent of respondents having flown for business at least once each year, with 70 per cent flying between one and five times.
When asked what the main purpose of their business travel is, the top three responses were conferences, events and trade shows (44 per cent), training and education (42 per cent) and customer/sales meetings (38 per cent).
“These findings challenge the once-accepted view that the next generation of business travellers will be more content doing business digitally,” says Mike Leeson, general manager, Europe, CTM Meetings and Events.
“In fact, what we’ve seen at CTM Meetings and Events is the exact opposite.
“Spending so much time working from home or in a hybrid capacity in recent years has actually fuelled a desire for Millennial and Gen Z workers to meet face-to-face more, either with colleagues or for business.
“This is driving a need for all types of events, whether team building, internal meetings, sales rallies, kick-offs, AGMs, rewards and incentives, or conferences and trade shows.”
Asked whether they expect the importance of business travel to increase in line with their professional experience and seniority, 70 per cent of respondents agreed.
“Meetings and events are going to remain essential touchpoints for building relationships, sharing knowledge and supporting career growth as professionals advance,” says Leeson.
Photo at top: iStock/izusek.
