83% of Americans Working From Home Due to COVID-19 Say They Miss In-Person Meetings, Conventions

A new survey by APCO Insight suggests that American workers – particularly those who attended in-person meetings and conventions before the COVID-19 pandemic – are eager to return to them when COVID-19 is contained and physical distancing policies are no longer needed.

“...It’s encouraging to see that 83% of Americans currently forced to work from home say they miss attending in-person meetings and conventions," said Fred Dixon, President and CEO of NYC & Company and co-chair of the Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC). "As important, 78% say they plan to attend as many or more when the threat of COVID-19 passes and it is safe to do so.”

With lawmakers debating the provisions of a new Phase IV recovery bill, Dixon added that the research sends a critical message to federal legislators and administration officials as they consider ways to bring relief to the 5.9 million Americans whose jobs are supported by meetings and conventions.

When asked if convention centers and event venues should be eligible for federal support and funding, 49% of Americans agreed and only 14% disagreed – whether they previously attended in-person meetings and conventions as part of their jobs, or not. The percent who agreed is roughly on par with other industries that rely on in-person activities, such as the restaurant industry (53% support); personal services such as barbers and hair salons (44%); and grocery stores (43%).

“Even as meetings are being cancelled and business travel is postponed, this research proves what many of us have long suspected to be true,” said Trina Camacho-London, Vice President of Global Group Sales at Hyatt Hotels Corporation and MMBC co-chair. “Our collective experience of physical distancing has us craving the day that we can all come together again and meet in person. That’s a strong indicator of not only consumer intent, but also of our industry’s value to people, businesses and communities.”