Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.6 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £2.3bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
COVID-19 brings lasting trends to party and event planning
- COVID-19 caused significant disruptions to demand for professionally organised parties and events. The government's social distancing regulations restricted gatherings, making hosting almost impossible during 2020-21.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
More people opting out of marriage holds revenue growth back
- The marriage rate will continue its long-term decline in the coming years, reverting back to normal after a short-term spike after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. Research by the Civitas Institute indicates that marriage rates are set to drop by over 70% by 2062, continuing a downward trend that will make a dent in the revenue of party and event planners.
Biggest companies in the Party & Event Planners in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (£m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Smyle Creative Group Ltd | 55.4 | |
Ashfield Meetings & Events Ltd | 36.3 | |
BCD Meetings & Events Ltd | 34.7 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Corporate functions, Weddings and Public events. Corporate functions is the largest segment of the Party & Event Planners in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Businesses’ confidence and performance heavily influence budgets for corporate functions
- Corporate social events include conferences, meetings, Christmas and other company parties, team-building events and product launches.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry is composed of independent companies and individuals that organise parties, weddings, corporate dinners and other social gatherings on behalf of households, businesses and non-profit organisations. These entities plan and coordinate various aspects of events, including venue selection, catering, entertainment, decorations and logistics.
What's included in this industry?
Corporate functionsWeddingsPublic eventsPrivate functionsCompanies
Smyle Creative Group LtdAshfield Meetings & Events LtdBCD Meetings & Events LtdPurchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
HYBRID EVENTMARRIAGE RATEDIGITALISATIONIndustry Code
SIC 56.21 - Party & Event Planners in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Shifting demand cause party planners to rethink their offerings. The pandemic's long-lasting impact sees planners prioritising safety precautions and leveraging technology to...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Multicultural weddings counter the falling marriage rate. Although fewer people are getting married, strong demand for multicultural weddings offers substantial opportunities...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
London's a hotspot for planners chasing big-budget events. Its high population, status as the UK’s top business hub and impressive disposable income levels offers exciting op...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
A fragmented market makes differentiation crucial. Event planners aims to stand out from the crowd through customer service, strong vendor relationships, discounts and compet...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Smyle Creative Group boasts a reputable client base. The company has a prestigious and diverse assortment of clients, including tech giants Meta, Samsung, BT and EE, giving i...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Smyle Creative Group Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Ashfield Meetings & Events Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of BCD Meetings & Events Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Smyle Creative Group Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Ashfield Meetings & Events Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for BCD Meetings & Events Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The Construction Design and Management Regulations impose safety rules. These regulations are paramount to the safety of events, safeguarding attendees by ensuring temporary ...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profitability hinges on clients’ financial capacity. Wealthy clients and large corporations in major cities provide event planners with opportunities to earn higher commissio...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
- Assets (2018-2022)
- Liabilities (2018-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Party & Event Planners in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Party & Event Planners in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £2.3bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Party & Event Planners in the UK industry in 2024?
There are 6,311 businesses in the Party & Event Planners in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 11.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Party & Event Planners in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Party & Event Planners in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 1.6 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Party & Event Planners in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Party & Event Planners in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Party & Event Planners in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Party & Event Planners market in United Kingdom are Smyle Creative Group Ltd, Ashfield Meetings & Events Ltd and BCD Meetings & Events Ltd
What does the Party & Event Planners in the UK in United Kingdom include?
Corporate functions and Weddings are part of the Party & Event Planners in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Party & Event Planners in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Smyle Creative Group Ltd.
How competitive is the Party & Event Planners in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Party & Event Planners in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
Related Industries
Widen your competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Tour Operators in the UK
- Marketing Consultants in the UK
- Sports Facilities in the UK
- Hotels in the UK
Complementors
- Catering Services in the UK
- Travel Agencies in the UK
- Wedding Venues in the UK
- Florists in the UK
International industries
- Trade Show and Conference Planning in the US
- Party & Event Planners in the US
- Caterers in Canada
- Wedding Services in China
View all industries in United Kingdom
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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