Many new trends have started in the event and conference world, as you will discover here! There's always something new to be discovered from unique venues to the latest gadgets and technologies! Attendees are always looking to be educated and entertained, and meeting planners are always on the lookout for the next thing to keep their events fresh. No matter what your niche or interest might be, there's something for everyone at an event or conference! Read on to find out about some of the latest trends in business events and conferences!
Eco-Friendly Event Practices
It's no secret that we have a great deal of work to do when it comes to preserving our environment, and we're seeing more companies becoming aware of ways they can reduce their environmental impact. This can be as simple as using greener packing materials and recycling whenever possible, or it could mean aiming for zero waste by limiting your event guests' use of plastic bottles and encouraging them to use reusable water bottles instead. Some companies will even pay for some or all costs of attending conferences if their employees can produce verifiable evidence that they took steps to minimize their carbon footprint—the goal being for attendees to recognize that eco-friendly practices really do pay off. It's an added incentive worth considering as you plan your next business event.
Meaningful and Mindful Breaks
Many people get excited about going to events and conferences, but an unfortunate number of attendees spend their time there in a frenzy of back-to-back meetings. This is a problem, especially since research shows that breaks play an important role in getting new ideas and insights. However, it's not just about taking breaks—it's also about how you take those breaks. Take a mindful break instead of eating lunch at your desk or staring at your phone during downtime.
Immersive Experiences at Business Events
Instead of standard, mundane conference sessions, attendees are now looking for immersive experiences and unique opportunities to network. You should also consider bringing in thought leaders from outside your industry—that will attract even more attendees to your event.
Balanced and Diverse Agendas
One of today's biggest business events and conferences trends is a more balanced and diverse agenda. More than ever, organizations are looking for talks, panels, speeches, workshops, and other forms of participation that challenge delegates to broaden their knowledge base in a variety of ways. For example, some groups have found success by promoting leadership labs—focused workshops that enable participants to learn as much about themselves as they do about others. As such, it can be tempting to rush into creating an event or conference with little time for brainstorming on possible topics or methods of breaking away from standard methods. It's worth taking your time with these details, though—the last thing you want is an event where everyone leaves bored!
Choice and Personalization of Agendas
With new technology and social media, business events can now present an agenda tailored to a company's needs. Audiences can choose what they want to hear based on their interest level in certain subjects and speakers. This should be no surprise; we've all experienced it with other entertainment outlets like television programming or magazine subscriptions. With fewer people willing to sit through a full conference schedule, providing options is critical for engagement. Companies can use online surveys or social media platforms to measure interest levels in different topics, so attendees don't waste time on sessions that don't appeal to them. This creates a more personalized experience and allows for maximum effectiveness of a company's resources during business conferences.
