CVENT Trends: Building Relationships, Localizing Efforts, and Engaging Year-Round

The article "9 Event Trends That Will Shape 2025" from Cvent discusses key developments in the events industry for 2025. Here are three trends from the article that stood out to us:

Return on Relationships (ROR) is becoming the key measure of event success, focusing on meaningful connections over traditional metrics. With 77% of people trusting brands more after face-to-face interactions, events are leveraging collaborative tech and engagement scoring tools to enhance and track relationship-building.
Localized, in-person events are fueling business growth. Smaller regional gatherings, or Field Marketing Events, are becoming key tools for engaging target audiences and fostering brand connections. With 27% of North American planners anticipating an increase in small, simple meetings by 2025, field teams can leverage these events to strengthen local relationships and drive expansion.
Events can power year-round marketing. Events aren’t just for networking—they’re a goldmine for creating and sharing unique, personalized content. Offering hands-on demos, workshops, or meetups keeps your audience engaged while building brand loyalty. Plus, repurposing event content for year-round campaigns saves time and resources, keeping your marketing fresh and impactful.

READ CVENT'S ARTICLE

SmartMeetings: Costs, Content, and Connections

SmartMeetings' article "Gazing Into 2025: Trends Shaping the Year Ahead for Meeting Planners" highlights several important insights for conference planners.

While hotel room rates are rising, the increase is not as sharp as other costs, thanks to efficiency measures like self-check-in kiosks and mobile apps, which improve guest experience and operational efficiency. This has helped stabilize Average Daily Rates (ADRs) compared to previous years.

High-quality, engaging content and sustainability are now essential expectations for events. Planners are urged to integrate eco-friendly practices and ensure their events are both impactful and sustainable. Lastly, despite advances in technology, tradeshows continue to thrive on authentic human connections.

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Navigating 2025's Top Event Shifts

BizBash’s article "9 Top Event Trends to Look for in 2025" offers key insights to help event planners create impactful and memorable experiences this year. Here are some highlights:

Gen Z is taking charge—and the experience is key. As Gen Z gains influence, creating engaging and meaningful experiences is crucial to capture their attention.
Safety will be a top priority. Ensuring attendee well-being remains a priority, with a focus on health protocols and secure environments.
Sustainability and inclusivity are no longer just “nice to haves.” Eco-friendly practices and inclusivity are now essential expectations for events.
Experience will reign supreme. Attendees seek immersive and interactive moments that leave lasting impressions.
Attendees crave authentic connections in a tech-forward world. Despite the rise of technology, fostering genuine human interactions remains crucial for attendee satisfaction.

READ BIZBASH'S TRENDS