2024 Event Trends & How Event Software Keeps You Ahead

Check out the event trends set to change the game next year, and discover event software features you can use to stay ahead.

Event planners, the future of the industry is evolving - and you’re going to love where it’s going. Accor recently released its ‘Meeting Expectations: The Future of Meetings & Events’ Report, where five key event trends for 2024 were identified.

Dive in to discover what they are - and how you can stay on top of the industry's latest trends using features in your event software.

Event Industry Trends and How Event Software Can Help You Stay Ahead

1. Softer Productivity

The good old "work hard, play hard" motto is taking a back seat to a more balanced and holistic approach in event planning – a concept known as 'soft productivity.'

As Meenaz Diamond, the Senior Vice President of Meetings & Events at Accor, highlighted, the days of dragging delegates through endless marathon meetings are fading fast. People no longer want to be pushed to their limits during business events; there's a growing craving for gentler, more sustainable productivity. This change in mindset is influenced by shifting expectations and generational differences, and it's only going to become more prevalent.

For event managers, success hinges on finding solutions that emphasise well-being, nutrition, and efficient time management. Find ways to provide individuals with the freedom to do so in their own way and on their own time. No one wants to return from a corporate event feeling more exhausted than when they left. They want to prioritise their mental and physical well-being. 

For event scheduling, this means offering attendees seeking healthier catering choices, with a specific focus on reducing alcohol consumption and meat intake. Gen Z, in particular, is at the forefront of this trend, with a 20% reduction in alcohol consumption compared to Millennials. There's also a growing demand for vegan options, less meat, and greater transparency about where food comes from.

Think about reimagining old-school, full-day event schedules that leave attendees mentally drained. Integrate more networking activities that encourage physical movement, mental breaks, and outdoor meetings, and throw in some amenities like spa vouchers, yoga classes, meditation sessions, cooking classes, or mindfulness workshops. By striking the right balance between life and productivity and catering to these evolving preferences, you can ensure you're aligned with the changing needs of attendees, delivering an event experience that leaves them rejuvenated and content. 

Make sure your chosen venue can cater to guest requirements with iVvy's free venue inspection checklist - click here.

2. Selling ‘Belonging’ The virtual meeting boom of 2020 happened and every event, big or small, had to go online. Now, it’s no wonder we're now feeling a bit digitally exhausted. In fact, a whopping 80% of top meeting experts surveyed by Accor expressed dissatisfaction with using video conferencing to seal deals in 2024. This tells us something important - even with all this digital connectivity, the true value of in-person connections remains unmatched. In the years ahead, event planners need to shift gears. It's not just about getting people in the same room anymore; it's about creating deeper connections among attendees. An event should be a platform for building relationships, fostering repeat business, and leaving a lasting impact. Plus, embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion isn't just about being fair; it's about sparking innovation, boosting attendee engagement, and creating a sense of belonging.   The idea of "business travel" is changing, too. Companies are no longer just looking at the old-school return on investment (ROI). It's all about the return on experience (ROX) now. Attendees and organisations want meaningful experiences and connections. So, event planners have to get what's evolving and make sure their events meet these growing expectations.   Of course, tech is still at the forefront of event trends. With the rise of the "phygital" economy (where the physical and digital worlds blend), there's a whole new opportunity to introduce digital networking in a way that feels authentic. Event planners can tap into these communities to bring like-minded groups together for face-to-face meetings, using greater methods of personalisation. How Event Software Helps   Event management software can be a powerful ally in selling the sense of ‘belonging.’ With its tools, you can easily design personalised event experiences that go beyond just gathering people in a room. It allows you to create tailored attendee profiles, segment audiences, and offer event activities that cater to various interests and backgrounds. Additionally, event software helps you foster ongoing engagement before, during, and after the event, using marketing and feedback tools. Using data and analytics, you can also track attendee interactions and preferences, helping to deliver event experiences that truly resonate and deliver a stronger return on experience (ROX).   Use our free buyer persona template for better audience targeting - click here.

3. Designing Experiences

As meeting and event attendees continue to seek more all-encompassing experiences, there's a shift happening in the event design space. Attendees want to feel good, refreshed, and fired up as part of their experience, while businesses are aiming for a bigger bang for their buck. For meetings, it can be as simple as making sure there's plenty of natural light in the venue or getting creative with the lighting, like featuring orange hues to help folks focus, get creative, and stay on track.

Let's not forget the whole plant craze. Biophilia (or the love of all things green) is taking over event design. According to the UK Green Building Council, having plants around can boost productivity by 15% and cut sick days by 23%. Adding a bit of greenery to your events is a no-brainer.

But here's the kicker: it's time to think outside the box of traditional meeting spaces. Why not take your meetings outdoors? Find a terrace or nearby green spot to shake things up and bring people together. Flexibility is the name of the game. Being able to turn a huge ballroom into a bunch of intimate spaces isn't just good for business; it makes your events more memorable, encouraging attendees to come back for more. 

 

Use iVvy's free event customer journey mapping template to keep attendees engaged at all times - click here.

4. Greener Gatherings Event clients, both individual and corporate, are getting serious about sustainability and accountability. It's not just an event trend; it's becoming a big deal. This push for eco-friendliness is forcing event pros to step up their game and get more efficient. Looking down the road, the carbon footprint is going to be under a magnifying glass. That means we'll likely see more local and regional meetings and fewer international trips, although the trips that do happen might be longer. Plus, there's a growing appetite for events that can show off their green credentials, and those that can't may not be so popular. Corporate event professionals are telling hotels to cool it with extravagant spreads. They want less food, fewer buffets, simpler menus, more local ingredients, and less meat. In the push for sustainability, event planners are playing a greater part in meeting ESG goals while keeping everyone well-fed.  How Event Software Helps   Event management software enables you to track and manage every aspect of your event’s sustainability efforts, from sourcing local vendors to selecting eco-friendly venues. It can also help you to minimise waste by allowing you to accurately manage attendee numbers and meal preferences, reducing over-ordering and unnecessary buffets. With detailed reporting, you can measure the event’s environmental impact, giving you valuable data to showcase your green initiatives and meet corporate ESG goals.    Discover the impact an event has on the environment - click here.

5. Disruptive Technology

In 2024 and beyond, the standout tech trend is undeniably the surge of artificial intelligence. In just a few short years, AI has transformed from a futuristic concept into a practical tool used by the masses.

What makes generative AI particularly enticing for event planners is its lightning-fast data processing capabilities. It can crunch data in mere seconds, accomplishing tasks that might take a team member hours or even days. AI tools offer a wide range of support for meeting planners, from event scheduling to speaker selection and crafting press releases. Imagine inputting the availability of 300 potential attendees, and AI promptly providing you with the best event dates and suggested speaker timetables. If you're stuck searching for talent, AI can recommend suitable speakers in your area. It can even assist with branding your event, offering logo ideas, generating speaker bios, and translating content into multiple languages for your attendees.

AI doesn't stop there; it also extends to virtual tours of potential meeting spaces, allowing event planners to explore venues before making a booking decision. This not only saves time and money but also greatly enhances efficiency in the event planning process.

Learn how you can craft your ultimate event playlist using data - click here.

Get Prepared for Your Future Events of 2024

By embracing these event trends and adapting to changing attendee needs, you can not only stay ahead of the curve but also create events that leave a positive and lasting impression, setting the stage for a vibrant and innovative future in the industry. The key to success lies in staying informed and agile while being ready to implement new ideas, data, and technologies that will shape the events of tomorrow.