As is the way with many industries, the events industry is rapidly advancing and evolving to meet the growing demands of consumers. In an industry that is already so dynamic, 2020 is predicted to bring an abundance of exciting developments to the world of events.

Event management teams and planners can prepare and adapt to what’s going to shake up the event industry by staying ahead of the trends. By keeping an eye on what’s predicted to come, you can be sure to plan and manage some unforgettable events this year.

1. Attendee Personalisation 

Advancements in technology mean that consumers are continuing to expect more personalisation in their interactions during events. Personalisation is now going beyond digital marketing and seeping into event marketing and the nature of functions. While personalisation is not a new term, we are entering a new phase in which planners finding ways to respond to the needs of attendees.

Consumers are expecting more interactive experiences with each event. The key to delivering this experience is enhanced individual personalisation. Traditional event design is structured around the satisfaction of attendees. However, today, event organisers need to deliver on a customised experience by considering the person, professionally and personally, and understanding their preferences and personal value structure.

Tailoring for personal relevance and experience is now a crucial component of event design. In 2020, event managers who refuse to use collected data to deliver tailored and relevant experiences will fail to satisfy the demands of event attendees. According to Sydney event management company Polite, the biggest trend in 2020 will be towards delivering a personalised experience for all event attendees.

2. Sustainability 

Sustainability is not a new trend; however, it looks like it’s only going to be further stressed this year. Rather than making sustainability an after-thought, event planners are going to need to weave eco-friendly behaviours into the design, planning, and execution of events.

Eco-friendly choices are already being offered in the world of events. Event organisers are making behavioural changes and adapting in what has traditionally been a relatively wasteful industry. Consumers are becoming more aware of sustainable practices and are demanding more from their events to implement such changes. As such, events need to be planned in a manner that will have a minimal environmental impact.

So, how do you make an event sustainable? There are plenty of opportunities to make impactful changes. From switching to digital advertisements and ticketing systems to replacing plastic cutlery and bottles with biodegradable alternatives, using seasonal and local produce for catering, and providing vegan and vegetarian menu options. Events typically are a huge source for landfill and waste, so planners need to consider ways to minimise footprint with each event.

3. Artificial Intelligence

Human-centred technology is quickly becoming an important asset to the planning and delivery of a successful event. In today’s exciting phase of digital innovation, technology is advancing to become more human-centric than ever. Tech is being designed with the ability to reach a deep understanding of people, the items they use, where they go, their activities, and the nature of their relationships. Technology has become second nature for so many of us that it is becoming difficult to imagine what life would be like without it. Every resource or tool is smart, optimised, and automated for efficiency.

So, what does this have to do with events in 2020? Consumers are still looking for that human touchpoint with the added abilities of advanced technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a solution that provides a connection between attendees and planners, while strategically relying on technology for event planning efficiency. Here are some ways that events can utilise AI:

• Chatbots
• Collecting Data on Attendees
• Translation
• Process Automation