5 Meeting Industry Trends That Are Changing the Face of Events
Today, planners are racing to adapt to trends that make conferences and events more engaging and dynamic than ever before. Social Tables details these 5 Meeting Industry Trends That Are Changing the Face of Events:
Millennials are the decision makers now
Millennials (around age 25-40 right now) have become the largest segment of workers and meeting attendees. They value experiences, are tech literate and more likely to travel than the previous generation. Interestingly, they place more value on face-to-face meetings as they are saturated in technology.
Attendees want more control over the meeting agenda.
When attendees can choose between topics that excite them, food options, and a variety of activities, there’s more energy and increased engagement in the room.
Meetings should be “purposeful” experiences.
“Attendees are looking for elements inclusive of behavioral science, wellbeing, and a connection to the world at large. In short, today’s attendees want meetings to have a purpose. These “purposeful meetings” are a large part of why 80% of event planners say that their jobs involve more experience creation than they did 2 to 5 years ago.”
Technology helps planners pull off more than ever before.
“…studies show using event technology can: Decrease costs by up to 30%; Increase planners’ productivity by 27%; and Increase attendance by 20%. These technologies help event teams to market better, manage guests more efficiently, map out their events in detail, engage with the audience in real-time, track ROI, and more.”
Where you meet matters more than ever before.
“The city serves as the backdrop for the content. It’s like designing the stage. What kind of feel do you want that stage to have when your attendees come out? It has a direct impact on their experience.” 78% of attendees indicate destination is a top driver in the decision to attend – driving the “demand for more appealing destinations and authentic, local experiences in the host cities.”