It may come as no surprise that this is the year to take sustainability seriously and embrace ethical corporate events.
Since the ‘C’ word of 2020, the corporate events sector has proven itself to be a dynamic innovator. From pandemic pivots to cost-cutting measures, we’ve adapted to meet the deep need of society to meet, share and grow together, no matter what! Following the digital event revolution spurred by the pandemic, in 2023 we saw face-to-face events boom, as the caution of previous years eased. Lessons have been learned over these years and we’re now entering a new era for events, one where the desire to meet up is matched by the desire to do things better.
As Viva Esprit continue to deliver spectacular events globally, we share our insights into the event trends and influences we’re likely to see in 2024.
Hybrid events are here to stay
Mirroring the rest of the working world, virtual and hybrid events look set to stay. In fact, in 2023, internet searches for ‘hybrid events’ rose exponentially, demonstrating a demand for events that are more inclusive, accessible and flexible. We’ve worked on many hybrid and virtual events in the past few years, and we’ve found them a popular response to this demand. Hybrid events integrate technology to allow virtual and in-person attendees to benefit and participate in tandem. They require careful production planning to create the best experiences possible, and we expect to see hybrid events get better and better this year as enthusiasm continues to grow for exceptional hybrid experiences.
Advancing technology to support events
One of the enablers of this growth is technology. When we talk about technology for hybrid events, we’re talking about the evolution of different ways to interact before, during and after the event. We’ve witnesses a lot of innovation in this area, with organisations looking to stand out with the use of virtual reality and impressive wrap-around screens. However, much of the technological innovation is lower key, used to improve the experience, rather than wow attendees. With the popularity of hybrid events increasing, we’re expecting to see more investment in this area, such as new ways to host remote Q&As, and improvements to virtual networking lounges. AI is sure to have an impact in the sector too, we’ve already seen the introduction of AI-supported smart scheduling and fast-tracking security with facial recognition. We’re excited to see what other advancements are to come.
Taking sustainable events seriously
Another influence on the demand for hybrid is environmental. As we enter 2024, the world is waking up to an imminent need to reduce our impact on the planet. This doesn’t mean we should barricade the doors. The balance between our human need for contact and our environmental responsibilities means that more businesses are taking sustainability seriously by first understanding the impact that the industry is having through sustainability measurement, and simultaneously implementing measures to reduce waste, and limit and offset our carbon footprint at in-person events. Working with Greengage, Viva Esprit measures the impact of every event we support. This way we can work with genuine insights to provide the best and most realistic recommendations for sustainability. You can discover some of the ways we encourage businesses to do that in our sustainability checklist here.
A rise in ethical events
Society as a whole has changed vastly over the past decade, with health and wellbeing, social responsibility and inclusivity becoming imperative. We’ve seen a rise in demand for vegan and alcohol-free events as a result and we expect considerations for local produce and providers to be of increasing importance. Location choice too is a key consideration in efforts to create ethical events. LEED-certificated venues, with recycling facilities, energy efficiency and sustainable transporting options, are a desirable option for those looking to be as responsible as possible. Partnering with local charities and community projects offers another route to provide a positive impact when travelling for an event. Considerations for accessibility are also important and the use of sign language interpreters and wheelchair access considerations is rightfully on the rise. There is much that can be done to deliver ethical events, and we expect to see these becoming more and more a part of the process going forward.
Some things in events will never change
While the event sector continuously adapts to the situations and environments we encounter, there are some things that remain fundamental:
Allowing people the ability to connect is still at the core, with a preference for in-person events remaining
Getting value for money and return on investment is always a priority
Creating an engaging event that’s inspiring remains a core objective
Events will always remain guided by the client
Viva Esprit deliver inspiring events and unforgettable experiences that create a lasting impression with flawless event management and delivery. If you’re looking to plan an event in 2024, get in touch.
References: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/blog/academy/event-trends-report-2023/
