Trend Predictions for Events in 2024

When it comes to holding memorable events, standing out from the crowd is imperative. Therefore, it is crucial to stay ahead of the curve by utilising trends, and ensure that everyone who attends your event in the New Year will be enchanted.

Innovation makes your event memorable and impressive, ensuring guests continue to talk about it for years. To do that, you need to research and predict the upcoming event trends constantly. As we head into 2024, several key trends are likely to dominate the events landscape.

As event trend experts at Caiger & Co., we will discuss which trends you can expect to see on the rise and how you can incorporate them into your event planning.

Start by selecting an event date and venue that adheres to green practices. Energy-efficient lighting is the first step to minimising energy consumption, carbon emissions, and greenhouse gas emissions. It's important to digitise your event as much as possible to reduce paper waste generation - this could include digital invitations, tickets, and event programmes. 

The waste management systems of the event space are equally important. Make sure that all waste is disposed of correctly, and everything possible is recycled or reused.

A wholly in person event is not always necessary - consider a hybrid event and holding it online, even in part. This is helpful in reducing event costs, too - the most sustainable events do not have guests in person at all.

For catering, consider sustainable catering options that prioritise locally sourced, seasonal, organic food. Ensure any leftover food waste is composted.

Encourage attendees and event staff to use public transport, or provide shared transport options to and from the event to reduce carbon emissions, particularly for large events. An entirely carbon neutral event is the main goal!

Finally, when considering all the components for sustainable events, opt for decorations and biodegradable or recycled materials, and avoid single-use items wherever possible. Remember, every detail counts when it comes to reducing the environmental impact of your green event.

As we suggested, holding virtual events is a key trend in the ever evolving landscape of the sustainable event industry.

The COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably catalysed the rise of virtual events, completely reshaping the terrain of the live events' industry. As we navigate into the future, this trend shows no signs of slowing down.

With the advent of sophisticated digital platforms designed for immersive online experiences, virtual events offer a robust event platform with numerous advantages such as global reach, lower costs, and increased accessibility. Remote attendees allow event planners to leverage event tech, giving valuable insights with data collection. This has revolutionised the event landscape - and made event marketers' jobs much easier!

In person and virtual attendees alike can still benefit, when encouraging attendees with active participation. Attendee engagement is just as important, even with a hybrid event. Any event format should encourage active participation.

Additionally, they align well with the increasing demand for sustainable practices, significantly reducing travel-related carbon emissions.

The flexibility of hybrid events, allowing attendees to join from the comfort of their own homes or workplaces, is also a contributing factor to their rising popularity.

Wellness and mindfulness-focused corporate events that prioritise individuals' mental and physical well-being have gained a lot of traction in the past few years.

Wellness programs like yoga, mindfulness, and meditation sessions will find their way into more events in 2024, as people continue to prioritise well-being in their daily lives. 

With an increase in stress levels, chronic health conditions, and sedentary lifestyles, events centred around wellness and mindfulness will continue to grow in popularity, with everything from cooking demos to spa treatments, wellness retreats, and outdoor activities. 

Incorporating wellness into your next event plan can be achieved in a variety of ways. Begin by creating spaces within your event for relaxation and reflection, such as quiet zones for meditation or designated areas for yoga sessions.

Activities such as guided mindfulness sessions or stress management workshops could be included in your event schedule. Consider providing healthy food and beverage options, with menus highlighting nutritious, balanced meals and snacks.

Also, think about incorporating natural elements into your event’s design, such as plants and natural lighting, to foster a sense of tranquillity, and consider partnering with wellness experts or organisations to provide informative sessions or workshops that promote good health and well-being.

Personalisation has been a significant trend for the industry in recent years, and it is set to continue in 2024 and beyond. With the availability of customer data, technological tools and event platforms that offer personalisation, planners and event professionals can create humanised experiences that make the guests feel special, creating a strong emotional connection with the brand.

Expect to see events that are tailor-made to individual needs, tastes, and preferences, allowing everyone to have the best experience they can possibly have, thus creating a memorable event.

Incorporating personalisation into an event begins with understanding your audience. Collect data about your attendees through pre-event surveys, social media engagement, or past event attendance history. This data has valuable insights that can inform everything from the event format to food preferences, thematic choices, event details, and even the style of event communication.

Leveraging technology such as virtual event apps or digital check-ins can help facilitate real-time personalisation of event details, ensuring each attendee's experience is tailored to their interests and needs. Remember, the goal is to make each attendee feel that the event was designed just for them, enhancing their engagement and creating lasting, positive memories.

The planning of an event, as well as event promotion and event marketing, takes a lot of effort, and making it unforgettable is one of the organisers' most critical objectives. 

The rising trends we discussed above will undoubtedly put you at an advantage when it comes to the whole event marketing and planning process. As we move into 2024, sustainability and eco-consciousness, wellness, mindfulness, and personalisation should be at the forefront of event planning to design and create events that will last a lifetime. 

Follow these trends, and incorporate them into your events, and you will stay ahead of the curve in the event industry.

When implementing new trends into your event plan, it's essential to conduct a post-event review. Make a note of your event goals, event details, event budget, and any other events that you were inspired by. Did you stick to your own event goals, budget and plan? Were there any cost savings? Did you work with the right event planner? What was the event's footprint?

You'll be concerned to review your own event plan, the event manager's performance, and all components that went into the whole event planning, positive or negative.

Ask your event manager for feedback with social media campaigns, and check in with any staff as well as your guests, and any other event participants. Make sure to get sponsor feedback from any corporate sponsors, too. Your event's performance will set the tone for any future ventures, so your event manager should be sure to monitor post event activities accordingly.

Successful events are the ones where each is better than its past, leading to growth and excitement, and smashing your previous events, goals and event plan. Here's to the next successful event!

As bespoke caterers and sustainable event planners, well-versed in event industry trends, we know how to create an event that lasts a lifetime. From luxury large scale events to smaller events, we have experienced all sides of catering. Your next event deserves the best.

Caiger & Co.

If you'd like to stay ahead of the event data and software curve and utilise top event trends, work with us to make sure that your future events are truly incredible. We'll achieve your event goals together, with sustainable management and planning.