What Will Drive Events in 2014-2015?

The year is quickly coming to an end; more events are being planned, and we all want to know what the event trends will be for the end of 2014 and the start of 2015. I’ll give you a hint: they all have one thing in common. What might that be, you ask? Well, if you’re sitting at a computer then it’s right in front of your face, literally. The answer is: technology.

 Integrate these into your upcoming events:

1) Introduce and use mobile sites, apps, etc. Utilize these for information management, registration, attendee  communication and engagement. Chances are all of your guests have smartphones in their pockets.

Mobile sites and apps increase sustainability!

Mobile sites and apps increase sustainability!

2) Integrated Technology Solutions. Clients want more tightly integrated solutions. They want one data source for all their technologies to work together. Registration pages cannot be ugly; they should match the entire event brand. No one likes ugly.

3) Structured Social Media. Events are now providing event-specific versions of even the most common of social platforms through mobile and web widgets.

4) Personal Social Integration. Make your events personal in nature. The events are looking to provide personal experience to guests in the middle of a very social setting. The use of social tech tools, such as graffiti walls and photo booths, allow for individualization and a personal experience.

Photo booths add a personal touch to your event!

Photo booths add a personal touch to your event!

5) New, Disposable Tech. These include new wristband options and LED lights that drop and float into crowds. They are cheap, single-use options to add a little flair to an event.

6) The Event as Part of the Conversation. Engage with customers on a local level – take the event to the attendee’s specific region, or have an intimate and less formal affair. For example, Amazon Web Services does events such as their pop-up Loft, and Salesforce does smaller event tours.