What’s trending?
1) An emphasis on networking and live acts
The unique value proposition of physical events is now the people you meet, and the things you are able to experience. Think live performances and acts; ‘immersive’ lighting, special effects and scenery; intimate break outs with purpose; and speakers that really connect with the audience and incorporate the physical or emotional. Basically all the stuff that we’ve all missed whilst we've been sat on zoom!
Priorities have changed. Corporate event industry news source Event MB asserted a new order of priorities in 2022:
- Connection
- Entertainment
- Content
2) Digital event strategies
Virtual events boomed in 2020-21. Though event organizers can look to a future that allows for more in-person events, it’s likely that virtual is here to stay. If not completely, at least as a part of a new hybrid event model with many different configurations of in-person and virtual offerings. Rather than an annual conference, companies are planning a number of smaller events, some physical, some virtual, some both.
According to event professional community EventMB’s 2021 research, 71% of event planners said they would continue to employ a digital strategy even after live events return
3) Renewed emphasis on physical safety
Across every industry, the topic of safety will continue to be prominent through the next year, including the event sector. Expect to see smaller events in smaller spaces and to continue to see socially-distanced layouts, content streamed to break out rooms, a rigid approach to sanitation, and advanced air-filtration systems.
76% of corporate planners used their own space to host events, to have an easier time securing low-risk, socially distant spaces for speakers and presenters in 2021. AV could be very useful in rendering these spaces event ready (with props, sound, lights, etc.) and for live streaming to remote audiences (EventMB, 2021)
Summary: whether they happen physically, virtually or in a hybrid model, events that remain flexible, prioritize safety, and emphasize networking will likely become the norm. The challenge for the organisers is achieving that balance – and audio-visual technologies are key.
Advice from the professionals: Julie Kidd, DOC’s Strategic Partnerships Advisor on adding the virtual to your events arsenal -
"Now you can ‘flex’ in a much more agile way. There is still most definitely a time and a place for physical events, but I think livestreaming is also a resource-efficient way to share information on specialist subjects.”
