BUSINESS EVENT HOSTS: WHAT DO CORPORATE MCS SEE COMING NEXT FOR ONLINE, VIRTUAL AND LIVE CONFERENCE PROGRAMS?

Business event hosts are anticipating major changes in the types of corporate events and conferences being planned for 2024 and 2025. As companies continue to embrace remote and hybrid work, MCs expect onsite programs to become more focused and immersive to justify the time and expense required for in-person attendance.

Per top business event hosts, a major trend will be smaller events with more curated content and attendee lists. Rather than massive trade shows open to the general public, corporate meeting planners will organize exclusive retreats, seminars, and workshops targeting a narrower audience of stakeholders, clients, or employees. With smaller headcounts, these private corporate events can offer VIP treatment and experiences along with highly customized programming.

The rise of “bleisure” travel is another trend where conferences are incorporating more local cultural, food, and recreational activities into the schedule. Extended weekday conferences may conclude with weekend leisure time as business event hosts explain so attendees can explore the destination. That allows corporate MCs to showcase local attractions while also incentivizing participation with a built-in vacation.

In response to remote worker demand, 2024 and 2025 will see more business events located at non-traditional venues beyond big cities. Resort destinations, boutique hotels, and suburban convention centers will host corporate groups wanting convenient locations for remote staff. Per the best business event hosts, venues in warm climates, national parks, and cultural epicenters are especially attractive for their appeal to accompany remote workers and families.

From a format perspective, business event hosts are adding more interactive elements to engage participants. Rather than passive lectures and panel discussions, corporate events will feature immersive tech-enabled displays, sponsored contests, recipient-based presentations, gamification, and live polling through event apps. Creatively themed events with celebrity appearances, exclusive musical acts, comic relief, and branded entertainment also make business conferences more dynamic.

With companies still monitoring travel spend, business event hosts are making virtual attendance and hybrid events more seamless for remote participants. Investments in video production, streaming technology, virtual reality displays, and swag/gift boxes allow those working remotely to feel actively involved at business conferences they cannot attend in person.

As corporate event and conference norms continue evolving in 2024 and 2025, business event planners and hosts are focused on curating more exclusive and immersive onsite experiences while integrating remote/virtual participants as seamlessly as possible. The end goal is driving participation and engagement across both in-person and virtual attendees in this new era of hybrid work.