Events Industry Trends for 2024 and Beyond
Today, hosting a popular event means more than renting a meeting hall and securing a caterer. Thanks to technology advances, events can now be held partially or entirely in virtual spaces. Organizations use artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT for a myriad of things, from generating event ideas to managing RSVPs.
While event organizers must keep up with these industry trends, the best event planners regularly come up with new ways to enhance their events with the technology now available to them. Let's take a look at how some companies are already taking advantage of the latest trends to strengthen their events management business and how these trends may shape event technology moving forward.
2024 and Beyond: Trends to Watch Out For
Evolution of Hybrid Events
Hybrid events host gatherings that guests can attend in person or virtually using live streaming or live chat. Although virtual guests traditionally attend hybrid events through their laptops or mobile devices while the "main" event is held in a single in-person gathering, future hybrid events may look quite different.
For instance, the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC) is now offering a "MultiPOD Meeting" that allows multiple groups of people in separate in-person locations called "PODS" to interact with each other in real time. This enables each group to have its own in-person experience while still connecting virtually with a larger group that spans across multiple cities, states, or even countries.
More AR/VR Tech for Events
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are becoming more commonplace today, and the event industry will be using these technologies more creatively in the future.
With AR, guests can interact with virtual environments and objects using their smartphones or other devices. This will help businesses showcase more of their merchandise at trade shows without worrying about the cost of transporting large amounts of physical products. For instance, an AR mirror can now overlay virtual clothing over a customer's reflection, showing them how they'll look in these styles without actually changing clothes.
Meanwhile, VR can immerse people in completely digital environments. A person wearing a VR headset can tour company buildings located around the world from a single location, expanding the type of experiences that can be offered at events. Likewise, VR haptic technology is now allowing people to feel tactile sensations in virtual environments, adding a new dimension to future VR experiences.
Increased Use of AI Tools Like ChatGPT
ChatGPT is a large language model (LLM) that can learn from data and generate human-like text in response to prompts. It's an AI tool that you can use to generate event topic ideas, structure event agendas, and even brainstorm activities like ice-breaking games. Event coordinators can use ChatGPT to write email invitations and even select speakers and venues for an event.
While it may take time, as these AI tools grow more sophisticated in their interactions with humans, they can be used to engage with guests at events— answer questions, offer detailed product information, or lead them through demos. Used properly, this saves time and money, making AI a valuable partner in event management.
Leveraging Advancements for Your Event Planning Business
As society adapts to new technology, the possibilities for future event planning will only keep growing. At one point, it may have been unthinkable for a small company to host a conference that could accommodate thousands of people. Yet with today's virtual and hybrid events, such gatherings are not only possible but will soon be commonplace.
Still, that's just the beginning. Advancements in AR/VR tech and AI tools are being made all the time, leaving it up to your team to decide how this digital technology will continue to give your audiences a cutting-edge experience. Popular trends all begin with imaginative people discovering innovative ways to use the tools available to them, so be bold with what you offer in future events.
idloom.events offers the digital tools you need for planning, managing, and promoting your online, live, and hybrid events. Contact us to see learn more.