FCM’s latest product FCM Venue Finder, which has been launched in partnership with Hubli, includes over 200,000 spaces worldwide for meetings and group hotel lodging within the MICE industry.

FCM Meetings and Events (FCM M&E), a part of FCM business and key division of the Flight Centre Travel Group, has launched a new technology delivering a booking solution for meetings and group hotel lodging within the MICE industry.

According to a press statement by FCM, the new FCM Venue Finder, powered by Hubli, a self-serve booking platform for meetings, group hotel stays and workspaces, includes over 200,000 spaces worldwide with fast and easy online booking as well as sustainability solutions with contracting and cost controls.

FCM says that this move follows the recent landmark announcement detailing the global expansion of the M&E business that saw industry expert Manpreet Bindra moving into the role of FCM Meetings & Events Leader in Asia to oversee an industry sector that is set to boom in 2024.

The statement adds that the new FCM Venue Finder platform is user-friendly and delivers seamless venue sourcing, event management bookings, innovative sustainability solutions, and cost control to simplify the dynamic MICE world.

FCM says that events, event travel and meetings are leading the business travel bounce back globally with recent research showing that the MICE market size, in terms of revenue, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.6 pc from 2022 to 2030 to reach USD 1.56 trillion by 2030.

“We believe the meetings, events, conferences, and event travel markets are ripe for disruption worldwide, this is an important step in ensuring we have best-in-class technology to deliver for a flourishing travel market sector. It is 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 business owners and decision-makers, the passion and engagement we’re seeing is very encouraging,” says Bindra.

“We are experiencing and anticipating a steady annual growth rate of demand at 12 pc year on year for in-person meetings, which means we have some exciting opportunities coming our way,” Bindra adds.

“We are excited to partner with FCM M&E to move from manual to online meeting and group bookings and look forward to helping their clients bring people together to meet in person most cost-effectively and sustainably possible,” says Hubli, Founder, Ciarán Delaney.

“This easy-to-navigate platform gives people fast, real-time access to venue availability and bookings and allows you to select from a global inventory of over 200,000 spaces, including hotels and unique venues. From funky cutting-edge venues to corporate conference centres, you can cut straight to the chase with detailed images and specifications. The Imperial in Delhi, Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad and the Leela Palace in Udaipur are some of the many stand-out venues available for booking. We believe this is a game-changer on how we deliver our content to people who want to save valuable time and money,” says Bindra.