Corporate hospitality is evolving. Once viewed as a luxury perk for executives, premium experiences like Royal Ascot are now becoming serious business development tools across a broader range of industries. New data from Engage reveals how companies are using events like Ascot to build relationships, win deals, and drive growth.
Manufacturing and Transport Sectors Lead the Shift
According to new insights from Engage, hospitality bookings at Royal Ascot 2025 have seen a striking change. Manufacturing firms have increased their presence by 166 percent year-on-year, while transportation services have entered the top booking sectors for the first time.
This marks a clear departure from the traditional dominance of finance and law firms at high-profile corporate events. Today, a much wider range of industries is recognising the power of experience-led engagement.
Hospitality Is About Results, Not Just Status
Eight sectors now account for more than 80 percent of all Ascot hospitality bookings, led by:
- Administrative and support services (19 percent)
- Construction (13 percent)
- Finance and insurance (11 percent)
- Wholesale and retail (11 percent)
This shift reflects a broader trend across the UK. Four in five companies say they will increase or maintain their corporate event budgets in 2025, citing employee wellbeing, customer loyalty, and deal-making as key drivers.
“It is no longer just finance and law firms filling the boxes,” says Andrew Hodgkins, Managing Director at Engage. “We are seeing a real spread of industries using Royal Ascot as both a reward and a strategic business development opportunity.”
Experience-Led Business Engagement on the Rise
Revenue from Ascot hospitality packages is up 29 percent year-on-year, reinforcing the growing appetite for premium events that deliver tangible business outcomes.
Organisations are recognising that shared experiences create stronger bonds than traditional meetings alone. In today’s competitive environment, a well-curated hospitality experience can be the catalyst for deeper client relationships, new opportunities, and long-term loyalty.
At Royal Ascot 2025, casual conversations over champagne could easily turn into signed contracts, making it one of the most network-rich events of the year.