The future of Event Management: A look at the changing landscape of event planning

The rise of virtual events

Virtual events provided a lifeline for many businesses and individuals in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic led to the shutdown of physical events worldwide. VR, AR and other technological advancements have also helped revolutionize our lives. We can now work from home or wherever we are with our mobile devices. Businesses can use VR/AR technology to connect with clients in ways that were not possible before. 

VR/AR tech is developing so quickly that it's almost impossible to predict what will happen next year and five years from now. The possibilities are endless and exciting! As technology evolves, event management will be changed accordingly. With the rise of AI, personalized content (for both attendees and speakers) is an obvious step in the right direction. Attendees expect this sort of personalization when they attend a conference nowadays, which could lead to more engaged attendees who might be inclined to spend more time on-site and give them the tools they need while attending virtual events. Technology isn't always the answer, but it's undoubtedly part of the future of event management. We will likely see something remotely resembling the pre-pandemic average soon. VR, AR and other technological advancements are making an impact on event planners' workflows. Tech will continue to develop in unpredictable ways, and those changes should inform how event management companies plan their events now.

Event management companies may feel pressure to keep up with new developments constantly, but if they can do so, they'll be ahead of their competition and prepared for whatever comes next.

Virtual events benefits to event management companies come from greater efficiency and accessibility. Along with saving money by not travelling back and forth across town, event managers can easily find venues large enough for their needs because virtually anywhere becomes available. And because events are cheaper to produce than ever, even startups can afford to take advantage of this technology. But there is no one size fits all solution for every company, and different organizations will find success using other methods. To stay competitive, companies must adapt and learn how to navigate these uncharted waters successfully. Organizations that can think outside the box and create innovative solutions will thrive in this new world. Innovation is key to succeeding in the event management industry.

Virtual events provide a lifeline for many businesses and individuals. From the perspective of event planners, VR, AR and other technological advancements have changed how they plan their events. VR/AR tech has made it possible to design experiences that would not have been feasible otherwise. Events today value personalization and connection over simple ideas of interaction and attendance.

 Changing attendee behaviour

Technology has become the most critical piece of event management as attendees now participate in activities instead of just observing them. 

In the past decade, we've seen how technology has impacted our lives in so many ways, and it will continue to do so in new, unimaginable ways. 

.Attendees now prefer to attend an event virtually rather than physically if the option is available due to increased work demands. The ROI for virtual events is three times higher because of lower costs and time savings associated with live virtual events. As event managers look towards what the future holds, they should keep up with these changes by adapting to the ever-changing needs of today's attendees. To compete successfully in this environment, meeting planners must continually strive to provide event experiences that are engaging and authentic. Whether creating live sessions or giving enhanced levels of interactivity through live streaming video conferencing, meeting planners must develop creative solutions which attract audiences and encourage interactions with the speaker/exhibitor, as attendees expect to be able to interact with and engage with content.

 Attendees are no longer passive observers; they are active participants who expect an interactive experience, unlike before, where you would show up, observe some presentations, and then leave. Now, you want your conference attendee's to be more than passive observers; they need to be active participants who can interact with the speakers, exhibitors and other attendees. There is no longer one-way communication at conferences anymore. Today's generation of millennials grew up in an era when there was always two-way communication.

The new normal for event management

 we identify next some of the key emerging trends in the "new normal" of events, giving us a peek into the future of event planning. 

 Virtual events, as you may already know, are conducted in a virtual environment. This means that your attendees don't need to travel to attend your event, saving them time and money; it also provides you with more flexibility when planning your conference venue. The ability to host an online event anywhere, from anywhere, gives attendees much more choice and allows organizers to create any atmosphere they desire.

 Virtual events can be custom-tailored to your audience's preferences, allowing you to make them feel more comfortable and relaxed. An unlimited number of solutions can be used in virtual environments, giving you more creative freedom regarding your overall design and facilitating better communication among attendees.

Hybrid Events are increasingly becoming popular as they allow the best of both worlds – face-to-face interaction combined with the benefits of digital engagement tools. They combine physical meeting spaces like exhibition halls, auditoriums or conference centres with other technologies such as live web streaming, videoconferencing or phone conferencing so attendees can have their interactions and business dealings onsite. No wonder hybrid events are gaining popularity - imagine how many people would want to book tickets if this technology was used.

Networking between virtual and in-person attendees this new technology is helpful for organizers and caters to modern attendees' preferences. It allows them to spend more time networking and socializing with other attendees during events, making attending conferences much easier on their schedules. In fact, 44% of B2B buyers said they preferred digital engagement tools over face-to-face meetings to learn more about a company or an industry.

 Live Translation Apps Technology is the future, so why not use it to its full potential? These apps can turn any device into a translation device. The app translates the speaker's words in real-time by converting them into another language and then sends those translated words back to everyone else who speaks that same language. Of course, there will always be someone who speaks a different vocabulary.

Gamification is one way to facilitate audience engagement and encourage active participation. For example, we're currently developing an interactive website where members can log in and earn points by reading content. With these points, they'll be able to trade them in for various prizes, including tickets to your next event! 

Technology is the future, and with it, the possibilities seem endless; the best thing you can do is to start experimenting with digital technologies and see what works for your business. You'll never know until you try!

The impact of technology on event planning

Over time, we'll continue to see more companies use technology in their events as part of a more significant movement toward digitalization and automation. One study by Cvent found that 54% of corporate event managers believe it is essential to include digital elements like live streaming in their events. Another one found that 86% think it is at least somewhat important. So now is a good time for you or your event team to consider embracing these technologies before they become must-haves! Event planners must start viewing and incorporating newer trends such as event tech, apps and e-ticketing platforms.

 Technology is a critical part of any successful business's marketing strategy. So, you need to stay up-to-date on emerging trends and technologies that can help improve your events' attendee experience. This will help make sure they keep coming back!

This will help increase attendee engagement and satisfaction while also helping you manage all aspects of your events more effectively.

This means you'll spend less time shuffling paper and photocopying documents and focusing more on your attendees. Remember to monitor social media for valuable feedback from attendees as well. Your best ideas for next year may be coming from there!

Technology can give you access to crucial information (feedback from social media) that might otherwise be lost in paperwork.

Technology is central to every business's marketing strategy, so it's crucial that you stay up-to-date on emerging trends and innovations. Doing so will allow you to create a better experience for your attendees while also making running an event easier.

Always remember that To remain competitive, your company needs to be innovative. 

It's an excellent opportunity for any organization to tap into our knowledge and expertise to ensure your next successful corporate event!

We at NewLevel Egypt understand the importance of evolving the quality of our services to cope with the tremendous changes happening in the events industry so we can implement to our corporate clients in their events