1. A Continued Focus on Sustainability
Sustainability is a topic that has been on the event trend list for years because it’s still very relevant, and we need to keep talking about it until we have done the necessary changes within the industry. This year we’ll start seeing more event planners opting for greener solutions to reduce the impact of single-use plastic. We’ll also see a rise of recycled material for event design and more placements of recycling bins, to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in the landfill. Although those are some ways to make your event sustainable, more options can be applied:
Venues: seek out sustainable venues. Paper waste: ditch paper for digital communication. Food Waste: discourage food waste with reusable food containers. Florals: choose conscious decorations. Green energy: embrace solar-powered electronics. Transportation: encourage car sharing or the use of public transportation. Swag: skip the swag bag, go digital. Drinks: avoid buying individual bottles of water or drinks, you can choose a bulk dispenser or pitcher instead.
2. Event Badging & Ticketing
Event badging and ticketing are crucial to event planners because they are an integral aspect of the organization and capture of the attendee’s data. For this year, we’ll see a significant decrease in the use of paper for tickets, receipts, and confirmations, since everything is switching over to digital. The rise of RFID & NFC tags, QR codes, event apps, and all the other portable ticket tech, has changed the game for the event industry!
Not so long ago attendees had to make long lines at the venue because of the inefficient registration service. Now, the onsite check-in and badge printing solutions have become very fast and smooth thanks to the latest technological advances. Also, another big trend will be the use of badges, badge holders and lanyards made out of biodegradable materials. These types of products can biodegrade in normal landfill conditions within 5 years, whereas traditional products such as vinyl badge holders, can take up to 400 years!
The event industry will certainly continue to digitize receipts and reduce paper and plastic usage across the supply chain until they are obsolete.
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3. Enhanced Personalization
Because not every attendee at your event is going through the same journey, it’s important to have enhanced personalization so they can get exactly what they need. This will be one of the biggest trends in 2023. By personalizing the attendee’s experience, you’re able to add more value to the event, making it feel customized and well thought out. Although there are many ways you can personalize your event, we’ll mention the most innovative ones:
AI and Machine Learning
Without a doubt, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are among the most promising technologies in the event space. They will soon be used in all aspects of meetings and conferences. With the help of these two powerful technologies, event planners can elevate the attendee experience through optimizations in agenda scheduling, networking, and individual personalization of the experience.
Big Data
Using data to plan and guide event decisions will come to the forefront in 2023 because it is a powerful tool that can help create a successful event. Without a doubt, the use of big data is an incredible opportunity for massive growth. We’ll see more cases of how the proper use of data helps event planners make important decisions in several ways that weren’t possible before.
4. All-In-One Event Management Software platform
An All-In-One Event Management Software has become such an essential tool for event planners nowadays, that it will become one of the top choices for 2023. Why is that? Well, planners are constantly looking to reduce the logistical cost to sourcing, contracting and learning to use disparate solutions across the event planning process, that’s why an all-in-one platform is a great option to reduce that significantly.
These integrated solutions not only provide flexible modules and robust functionalities for the seamless organization of an event but also, fully integrate with other tools that the event planners are using.
3. Enhanced Personalization
Here are other key benefits of integrated Event Management Platforms:
- Allow attendees to register for the event online
- Facilitate secure payment processing
- Increase attendee interaction with exhibitors, staff, and other attendees
- Promote events through email, event websites, and social media
- Create and customize sessions, event schedules, and exhibition plans
- Build customized apps to integrate the event experience with attendees’ mobile devices
- Measure and analyze event ROI
5. Digital privacy
While the use of data is key to having a competitive edge in 2023, digital privacy is equally important, especially as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation already took effect. Also in the US, there’s the “Mind Your Own Business Act” that is being rolled out. If an event or conference requires collecting personal information from attendees, planners need to make sure they’re up-to-date on any digital privacy laws that have been applied this year.
Luckily, event management platforms are helping out event planners by integrating all the data protection requirements that are needed, so the personal information of attendees is protected. Also, by having these requirements in place, you’re preventing any type of security breaches.