Matt Francis - Founder at Cloudpresenter
Post by
Matt Francis
Last updated :
January 30, 2024
 | 20 min read

What are the event trends to watch out for this year?

Over the last four years, all businesses and organisations were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.  We have had to change how we work and this will influence us forevermore.  The ongoing pandemic is easing, but some uncertainty remains.  How should we, and how can we, plan business events and marketing activity moving forward?  Here is an overview of the key 2024 event trends to watch.

New technologies will emerge

Event organisers and businesses alike have relied heavily on digital technologies to enable business to happen.  The rise of new technologies has been crucial.  This is only set to continue in 2024 and beyond as the gaps between ‘need to meet’ and ‘ability to meet’ have been bridged in creative ways.

In a recent analysis and discussion of event industry leaders, Kai Hattendrof, Managing Director of UFI, believes a full economic recovery of the event industry will take place by 2024, and that new digital technologies for the events sector will continue to play a crucial part in this recovery.

Event organisers and businesses have embraced new ways of doing things digitally and this technology is becoming increasingly valuable.  Organisers are adopting a mix of in-person and online events.

The increased use of data is becoming commonplace.  With this data comes the huge opportunity to create insight to design meaningful, powerful activities that deliver a strong and measurable ROI.  It’s important that data policies, security, consent and privacy are considered, well planned and clearly communicated to all.

Hybrid events are here to stay

The phenomenal developments in event technology means Hybrid events and Virtual events are now easy to navigate for attendees.  No matter where attendees are located physically, they can move easily between in-person and virtual event experiences.

Socio CMO Andrew Pearson, who spoke at the Event Trends Summit said…

Ultimately, the blending of the hybrid event experience means that hosting hybrid events becomes less about servicing two separate audiences and more about merging two types of technologies.

Hybrid events enable audiences from different time zones and locations to access on demand, and live content, increasing collaboration and offering flexibility.  With Hybrid events, organisers can increase the geographical coverage and audience size, plus cover multiple time zones.  Content can be provided live to some and on-demand to others.

Flexibility will drive confidence

Events are an essential part of most businesses overall marketing strategy, increasing awareness, generating sales and building trust.  The uncertainty of the ‘stop start’ approach of recent years can be reduced with digital and event technologies that support delivery of all types of events, even in times of change.  The flexibility provided by Hybrid and Virtual experiences allows organisers the flexibility they need when it comes to dates, in-person venues, content and speakers.

On demand content is king

On demand content is recorded and hosted post event for attendees to view at their leisure.  This is a great option for a variety of situations, including reaching audiences across different time zones. Content can be quickly distributed directly to the audience who may be working from home, in the office or on the move.

Content is the main driver of engagement at events of all types and investing in skills, resources and technology to provide on demand content is set to become a priority for many organisations.

Educational content will be driven by data & insights

Recent developments have created an excellent opportunity to repurpose content from in-person and Virtual events, and to use this elsewhere.  Year-round engagement, learning and education is easier to do today than it’s ever been, and many flourishing businesses are taking advantage of the content they create to educate others at different times.  Professional development training, eLearning pre and post event allow large and decentralised audiences to benefit and learn.

Regardless of event format, engagement is the metric that can predict the outcome of an event.

says Hopin’s VP of Marketing Strategy and Events, Julius Solaris.

User data made available from Virtual and Hybrid events means attendees can be recommended personalised content.  Data driven insights, and improvements will help event organisers engage audiences like never before, improving job performance and career progression.

Hybrid workforces

Hybrid working has its’ challenges.  Companies are beginning to understand more about the technologies available to them and what works best for their business and culture.  Well delivered Hybrid working practices can have a positive impact.  Hybrid working technologies can improve collaboration, inclusivity and communication amongst teams as well as individuals and organisations as a whole.

Endless possibilities with Cloudpresenter

Want to know more about Virtual Experiences, the Cloudpresenter platform and how your business could use them?  Sign up for a free trial today.

Recommended Blogs

How to Host Engaging Webinars - Tips & Ideas

Learn how to create powerful webinars that captivate your audience. From choosing the right format and content to engaging participants with polls and Q&A sessions, this guide covers everything you need for a successful virtual event. Start hosting effective webinars that leave a lasting impact on your audience.

How to host a successful webinar

Unveil the secrets to a flawless webinar experience with our comprehensive blog. From choosing the ideal webinar platform tailored to your goals, to captivating your audience with interactive engagement, we've got you covered. Level up your virtual events and leave a lasting impact - read the full guide now!

The ultimate guide to virtual meetings

The business benefits of online meetings attract many companies to spend money in this space. The interesting point is that online virtual meetings have so many benefits worth exploring today. But if you have been sitting on the attendee side for so long, this ultimate guide is for you.

Best Webinar Software, Video Conferencing Software, Virtual Meeting Platform, and Virtual Event Platform

Create engaging video experiences

Get access to everything you need to meet, present and teach online

Get started for free

No credit card needed. No downloads.

virtual events, hybrid events and webinar platform - cloudpresenter
January 30, 2024
Event trends to watch for in 2024
Get a glimpse into the future of the meetings and events industry in 2024. Explore the notable event trends that you should be aware of in the coming year.
Matt Francis
Founder

Table of Contents

What are the event trends to watch out for this year?

Over the last four years, all businesses and organisations were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.  We have had to change how we work and this will influence us forevermore.  The ongoing pandemic is easing, but some uncertainty remains.  How should we, and how can we, plan business events and marketing activity moving forward?  Here is an overview of the key 2024 event trends to watch.

New technologies will emerge

Event organisers and businesses alike have relied heavily on digital technologies to enable business to happen.  The rise of new technologies has been crucial.  This is only set to continue in 2024 and beyond as the gaps between ‘need to meet’ and ‘ability to meet’ have been bridged in creative ways.

In a recent analysis and discussion of event industry leaders, Kai Hattendrof, Managing Director of UFI, believes a full economic recovery of the event industry will take place by 2024, and that new digital technologies for the events sector will continue to play a crucial part in this recovery.

Event organisers and businesses have embraced new ways of doing things digitally and this technology is becoming increasingly valuable.  Organisers are adopting a mix of in-person and online events.

The increased use of data is becoming commonplace.  With this data comes the huge opportunity to create insight to design meaningful, powerful activities that deliver a strong and measurable ROI.  It’s important that data policies, security, consent and privacy are considered, well planned and clearly communicated to all.

Hybrid events are here to stay

The phenomenal developments in event technology means Hybrid events and Virtual events are now easy to navigate for attendees.  No matter where attendees are located physically, they can move easily between in-person and virtual event experiences.

Socio CMO Andrew Pearson, who spoke at the Event Trends Summit said…

Ultimately, the blending of the hybrid event experience means that hosting hybrid events becomes less about servicing two separate audiences and more about merging two types of technologies.

Hybrid events enable audiences from different time zones and locations to access on demand, and live content, increasing collaboration and offering flexibility.  With Hybrid events, organisers can increase the geographical coverage and audience size, plus cover multiple time zones.  Content can be provided live to some and on-demand to others.

Flexibility will drive confidence

Events are an essential part of most businesses overall marketing strategy, increasing awareness, generating sales and building trust.  The uncertainty of the ‘stop start’ approach of recent years can be reduced with digital and event technologies that support delivery of all types of events, even in times of change.  The flexibility provided by Hybrid and Virtual experiences allows organisers the flexibility they need when it comes to dates, in-person venues, content and speakers.

On demand content is king

On demand content is recorded and hosted post event for attendees to view at their leisure.  This is a great option for a variety of situations, including reaching audiences across different time zones. Content can be quickly distributed directly to the audience who may be working from home, in the office or on the move.

Content is the main driver of engagement at events of all types and investing in skills, resources and technology to provide on demand content is set to become a priority for many organisations.

Educational content will be driven by data & insights

Recent developments have created an excellent opportunity to repurpose content from in-person and Virtual events, and to use this elsewhere.  Year-round engagement, learning and education is easier to do today than it’s ever been, and many flourishing businesses are taking advantage of the content they create to educate others at different times.  Professional development training, eLearning pre and post event allow large and decentralised audiences to benefit and learn.

Regardless of event format, engagement is the metric that can predict the outcome of an event.

says Hopin’s VP of Marketing Strategy and Events, Julius Solaris.

User data made available from Virtual and Hybrid events means attendees can be recommended personalised content.  Data driven insights, and improvements will help event organisers engage audiences like never before, improving job performance and career progression.

Hybrid workforces

Hybrid working has its’ challenges.  Companies are beginning to understand more about the technologies available to them and what works best for their business and culture.  Well delivered Hybrid working practices can have a positive impact.  Hybrid working technologies can improve collaboration, inclusivity and communication amongst teams as well as individuals and organisations as a whole.

Endless possibilities with Cloudpresenter

Want to know more about Virtual Experiences, the Cloudpresenter platform and how your business could use them?  Sign up for a free trial today.

Subscribe to our newsletter for webinar and virtual engagement business insights

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

More from our blog...

The latest news, technologies, and resources from our team.

Your ultimate guide to creating an engaging webinar workflow

Creating a webinar workflow involves organizing a series of actions that lead to a successful online event. This workflow includes the entire experience that participants have before, during, and after your webinar. From the registration page to email invites, reminders, and follow-ups, each step needs careful planning. Let’s dive into how you can create an effective and engaging webinar workflow.

How long should a webinar be?

Webinars have become an essential tool for businesses to connect with their audience, generate leads, and grow their business. With more interactions moving online, webinars offer a practical and cost-effective way to reach a global audience. They serve as a platform for delivering valuable content, demonstrating expertise, and nurturing relationships with potential customers.

Enhancing remote team building activities: virtual lunch and learn sessions 

Have you considered ways to add some spice to your virtual work environment's remote cooperation and learning as part of virtual team-building activities? Today, I'm thrilled to discuss a topic that revolves around encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing enjoyably and interestingly: virtual lunch and learn sessions! By adding the enrichment of learning something new to the comfort of a mealtime conversation, these sessions present a special chance to improve remote collaboration.

Testimonial logo

“We’ve been using Cloudpresenter to expertly bring our series of webinars to life, increasing attendance and engagement"

Dr.Satveer Mahil
Kings College Hospital London