As a team, we would like you to know these two things: we will go to great length to learn what are the latest and most innovative solutions for events but we will never fall victims to the need to be ‘on trend’. After all, your company is unique, it has its culture, its values, its strategy and when we are teaming up with you, we are there to work with you and implement the solutions that create the absolute best outcome, best experience, best value, delivered in the most efficient way.

And because we have been busy reading content ranging from Forbes to Campaign Live, and from Event Industry News and Travel Daily News to Amex Global Business, we share with confidence some headline trends that may benefit your event – processed by our team and relayed in this blog.

Stimulate senses
This is one very real benefit of in-person events and brands are taking full advantage of creating activities and décor which stimulates the eyes, the mind, the sense of touch and smell, the adrenaline and real buzz of being on site. Technology plays a big part here as does personalisation: smell, tech image walls, chromatic and scented water fountains etc.

Delegate co-created experiences
How do you create the most memorable experience? You allow your delegates to co-create it! Participating hands-on equals ‘entertainment’ and ‘learning by doing’. Key note here: the experience must be easy so that the reward of having taken part is real. Giving attendees a choice of activities is also key.

Retro feel
Tech novelty is something all event briefs seek. Why? Because technology comes with the wow factor guarantee (albeit, it also brings the fear of ‘will it work onsite”?). Still, the bigger trend is ‘going retro’ all the way to the 1990’s with snacks, décor, music and hosting outfits, even a wardrobe gallery that allows attendees to ‘rewind with a smile.’ We say: most brands won’t want to look back to the analog days!

Collaborate through play
Wellbeing, a sense of joy, a sense of youthfulness and connection, lateral thinking and problem-solving can all come from simply creating playzones and from weaving playtime into the event agenda. This makes for great photo opportunity and solves the ‘giveaway’ conundrum with a personalised gift and memories of a stress-free time.

Uplifting hosting
Few event planning discussions talk about hosting. But herein lies a great opportunity to entertain, be different, come across as more open, approachable and memorable. How? Event hosts are usually ‘on brand’ in terms of tone of voice, dress code, the briefing they received. Is that enough? Or is that the same as with all other events? Hosts can be dancers, greeters, gameshow hosts, they can be counsellors, actors, singers, they can be your CEO! What will you do different with your next event? How will you use hosting as a way of avoiding queues, waiting times and those risky dips in the energy of an event?

Sustainability, Inclusivity and Wellness
At a simple level, being transparent about the impact of your event is a good start and counteracting this with the positive steps you are taking to run a sustainable event and the challenges you are facing in doing this, is also a welcome next step. Seeking participant input for suggestions to become more sustainable could also be a progressive and candid approach.

Allowing and encouraging delegates to be themselves, to show up as themselves and speak authentically (while recognising the framework of a professional business event) could help with audience engagement.

Connecting with local social causes or having the participants vote for the top cause to support in the build-up to the event can also improve the sense of purpose and tie in with your ESG objectives.

And finally, wellbeing – we have taken so many different approaches here, from wellness areas, to tailored wellbeing counselling, to vouchers for wellbeing experiences redeemable post event, to live biking whose energy is fed into producing healthy drinks! We love a challenge so we’re trusting you to be bold!

Other key trends of worth:

• flagship events are expected to remain hybrid
• mobile apps will continue to be used to deliver personalised event agendas or on-demand content to attendees
• polls during event will continue to be used for feedback
• consider using event content through channels such as webinars, virtual events and on-demand video content, to improve engagement and the legacy of the event across your company
• video content will account for 82% of all internet traffic by the end of the year according to The Cisco Video Networking Index, this means video is KING (use it for pre-event teasers, education, recordings of the best speaker sessions and make it available via dedicated on-site and online hubs)
• Air, hotel, venue competition is sky high due to demand. It is effectively a supplier-led market so partnering with an established agency and making that purchasing decision early in the event planning process can both help you be in the right venue, at a rate that you can justify.

When you use your event to show delegates that you care, you cannot fail. When you use your event to show delegates that you have a robust, visionary yet realistic business plan, you cannot fail. When you use your event to create dialogue and connection with your delegates you cannot fail to SUCCEED!

To discuss your next event plans please contact Ken in our Client Services team who is not only incredibly knowledgeable and a top Activater, but also a great industry contact to have by your side: ken@activateevents.com.

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