The events industry has evolved rapidly over the past few years, thanks to advancements in technology and the sudden pivots caused by the pandemic. Event planners have worked hard to keep up with new trends and stay ahead of the curve. With this in mind, here’s a look at some of the future trends that are set to shape events in 2024.
More personalised guest experiences
Technology now enables event planners to gather data in advance about the attendees, interests, preferences, areas of expertise, and so on. This makes it possible to create programmes that are tailored to an individual’s wants and needs, with suggestions for which sessions to attend, networking opportunities, downloadable content, and more.
This will help attendees to get the most out of the event and feel more engaged and satisfied with the experience.
Use of immersive technology
Immersive experiences will become more essential to events in the future, both for educational and entertainment purposes. Virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) headsets and devices will be used to provide tours of remote locations, give product demonstrations, and create more memorable and engaging experiences for attendees.
AR and VR tools can also be used to enhance audience participation through gamification, such as quizzes, competitions, networking, interactive challenges, or any number of other creative ways.
More use of AI to help with routine planning tasks
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to help with every stage of the event planning, from suggesting suitable venues to handling frequently asked questions and automating ticket sales. This frees up staff to deal with more important tasks and focus on creative ideas that will really make the event a memorable and worthwhile experience for all the attendees.
Continued focus on sustainability
Sustainability and eco-friendly practices continue to be at the forefront of the agenda for most businesses and organisations. With evidence of the consequences of climate change mounting every year, this is about more than just ‘nice to haves’ or token gestures.
Minimising waste, sourcing local suppliers, using recycled or sustainable goods, and other eco-friendly measures will remain a high priority for both businesses and event organisers.
More focus on inclusive planning
Inclusivity is now not just an afterthought, but helps to shape event planning from the very first stages. This means ensuring that the range of content and speakers at the event are relevant and representative of all the attendees, rather than just groups who have traditionally dominated the sector.
The accessibility of the venue should be considered for attendees with restricted mobility or sight or hearing impairments. If possible, choose a venue that has step-free access and doorways and corridors wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair.
More focus on mental and emotional wellbeing
Some attendees may find attending an event a draining or overwhelming experience, especially if they are neurodiverse or have conditions such as anxiety. Therefore event planners are increasingly including quiet rooms or spaces where attendees can chill out for a few minutes or deal with sensory overload.
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