<p>Events industry professionals are hoping for an increase in conferencing budgets this year following reduced spending in 2008, an expert states.</p><p>Ruaridh Macdonald, business development director at Macdonald Hotels and Resorts, says venues are having to be very careful with their financial plans as well as costumers are looking for the best rate they can get.</p><p>"We are certainly hoping for an increase in budgets," he adds.</p><p><a href="http://www.tsnn.co.uk/event_management_organisers/suppliers" target="_self">Events organisers </a>will also have to be on top of their game as delegates will expect high quality service, Mr Macdonald asserts.</p><p>"The more procurement officers spend, the more they want to see real return on investment as well as excellent value for money," Mr Macdonald states.</p><p>According to recent research by MacDonald hotels and events company Confex, nearly three-quarters of executives said budget is the most important factor in purchasing decisions.</p><p>The Business Tourism Partnership UK estimates that businesses spend £3 billion on events held in Britain, with around 80 million people attending just over 1.5 million conferences and meetings each year.<br/><img alt="ADNFCR-1753-ID-19059586-ADNFCR" src="http://feeds.directnews.co.uk/feedtrack/justcopyright.gif?feedid=1753&it..." /></p>

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