The emerging event planning trends in 2020 and beyond

The event industry is not static. It too is affected by emerging trends that ever more transform every industry. The ability of a company to take advantage of these emerging trends spells long-term success for a company. Here are some of the important trends to watch for in 2020 and beyond:

Event Registration

In days gone by, attendees were content—albeit, some grudgingly—to stand in long lines to check in at an event. Today, our tolerance for such inefficiencies is considerably reduced. With millennials making up increasing percentage of attendees at many meetings, there is considerable pressure on meeting organizers to reduce or eliminate the traditional registration process. Digital kiosks or online check-in, for example, should allow for the bulk of registrants to check in seamlessly; and begin their participation at the meeting with positive impression.

Uniqueness

Aside from internal corporate meetings—where participation is not optional—prospective attendees at general-admission events crave authenticity—whether that is through the choice a unique venue or by having unique experiences built in as part of the event.  Hold the event in an exclusive venue or put on an exhibition at the beach. Think outside the proverbial box.

Green Meetings

Today’s event participants are keenly aware of genuine efforts to ensure sustainability.  This goes far beyond recycling or reusable material. The attendees must feel that the commitment to sustainability is genuine and not just a fad.

Innovation

Participants are drawn to hands-on experiences—whether as part of the conference agenda or as an add-on “entertainment” component. Set up interesting and experiential exhibits as an integral part of your event content—e.g., an interactive virtual reality corner, an amateur design booth. Millennials need to remain engaged. 

Customization/Personalization

Big monolithic conferences have given way to events where participants have an opportunity for customized/personalized learning instead of cookie-cutter content. With the penetration of vast variety of digital devices, it is easy for participants to “drift” away from active participation if not fully engaged. There has to be ample opportunity for everyone to feel a value-add to remain engaged throughout the conference.

Better Data

Financial and operational audits are often seen by some meeting organizers as time-consuming, unnecessary and expensive endeavors. That's wrongheaded. An event planning company’s longevity and profitability depend on making sound decisions. An important part of accomplishing that is to have as much accurate data and metrics about each event as possible.

Crowd Shaping Metrics

For the past few years, ranking algorithms have made event attendees much more selective, only willing to consume the content that relates directly to meeting and event they intend to attend. These metrics will also allow the planners to better gauge how to effectively customize events or contents thereof.

Procurement

Emerging trends in procurement have made it possible for meeting planners to be able to secure required material for their event at sizeable economies.

Conclusion

Transformation is the driving force that will be shaping the future of the event industry for years to come. In addition, there are specific trends that affect the industry’s evolution in the near and longer terms. Good event planners should be aware of such trends and proactively take advantage to improve the quality and appeals of their events.

At GMSEvents, we are routinely monitoring emerging trends to ensure they are incorporated in any event we are asked to organize.