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Written by: Peter Minkoff
It seems that nothing can stop the event industry, not even the global pandemic. Indeed, the events in 2020 and 2021 went through a significant rebuild. However, they still achieved to welcome millions of people online or in person.
The near future of event planning is, however, filled with questions. With the continual emergence of new COVID-19 variants, we can't be sure how and when will regulations on gatherings change.
The event planning in 2020 is unlikely to go back to our pre-pandemic normal, as changing attendee's behaviors and technology have thoroughly transformed the event planning landscape.
So what are some of the event planning news and trends we can expect for 2022?
Use the best of hybrid and virtual events
In 2021. many live events have shifted successfully to a virtual or hybrid format. Such events have improved much from their awkward phase and are here to stay.
Looking forward to next year, if large-scale live events are problematic due to COVID, lean on technology and try to deliver what this kind of event can offer. And advantages are numerous.
First of all, with virtual events, you can easily deliver a top line-up of participants on an event. Organizers can now secure experts and guest speakers worldwide, something they could hardly accomplish if the event was to be held in person.
Furthermore, virtual and hybrid events can accommodate many more attendees, giving your event a greater reach. Customizable surveys can be made online to allow the attendees to choose whether they would like to attend online or in-person and other crucial questions to better address their needs.
Also, as such events can be attended from the comfort of home, with no transportation costs, using transcription and closed caption technology, they can improve the user experience more inclusively.
Virtual events also have a longer-lasting life than in-person gatherings. Their content value can extend beyond the event itself. Such events can be repurposed in the post-event campaign to retarget the audience, using the same or supplementary content.
Don't be afraid to take a stand
The intensifying climate crisis and worldwide movements, such as Black Lives Matter or Me Too, as well as various racism, labor, and homophobia challenges we fight every day, have inspired many people to reconsider their own and brand's values in the last two years.
Societal issues are top of mind for Millenials and Gen Zs. They expect the companies they identify with to join or even lead the change they want to see in the world.
Societal issues have started to make an appearance in many events today. We are expecting to see this trend developing further as issues of sustainability, diversity, equality, and inclusion continue being focal points for event organizers and planners.
Intimate events
Huge events companies usually organized with the primary goal of showing all the power and success. However, people are fond of more intimate and simpler events where attendees have a real opportunity to meet and achieve proper business connections.
We expect to see more such events in 2020, as they are an excellent chance for companies to achieve genuine engagement of their target audience and build their trust.
Advanced health and safety protocols
COVID-19 pandemics managed to shake our awareness regarding hygiene. Although live events are back, the pandemic is unfortunately far from over. Guest safety and health have become the top concern for event planners who now follow local health guidelines regarding event venue selection and protocols.
At the onset of 2020, organizers will still be demanding a negative COVID test and checking the vaccination status of the guests to enter the event. With the Omicron variant now causing a panic, it might happen that a single proof of Covid status soon may not be enough.
If you will be planning events in 2022. it's important to keep these trends in mind to help you reach the desired goals.
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