This document discusses 6 trends that event planners can't ignore to make their events more impactful: 1) Allow audience participation and input; 2) Add emotional elements rather than just information; 3) Create human connections between goals, messages and audiences; 4) Integrate events with other engagement tactics for ongoing relevance; 5) Combine physical and digital elements for a holistic experience; 6) Partner with other organizations to push boundaries and build stronger brands. It emphasizes that audiences and technology are changing, so traditional approaches won't work as well anymore.

1. 6 Event
Trends
You Can’t
Ignore

2. So you’ve been planning an event.

3. AWESOME LOGO
You’ve got a banner with your brand logo,
picked a venue and sent out invites—

4. You’ve got a banner with your brand logo,
picked a venue and sent out invites—
should be enough, right?
AWESOME LOGO

5. Not quite.

6. Your audience is changing.

7. #
Your audience is changing.
Technology is changing.

8. Your audience is changing.
Technology is changing.
And the status quo won’t work anymore.

9. Infuse your event with these
6 trends

10. Infuse your event with these
6 trends
and get stronger, more impactful results.

11. 1 Think Democracy

12. 1 Think Democracy
People want to participate if you give them control.

13. 1 Think Democracy
Don’t just design your event with your people
in mind. Get advice from your audience.

14. Allow them to vote on content,
layout of the venue, timing—
even food.

15. Insert Emotion2

16. 2 Insert Emotion
Dry, clinical events don’t have the same appeal

17. 2 Insert Emotion
Dry, clinical events don’t have the same appeal
as ones that offer dynamic, emotional experiences.

18. Aside from simply capturing your
audience’s attention, experiences
with emotions can drive behavior
change and positive brand loyalty.

19. Make a Connection3

20. 3 Make a Connection
All marketers are trying to create a lasting
connection with their audience.

21. 3 Make a Connection
Accordingly, brand experiences must have a
human element that ties together your goals,

22. 3 Make a Connection
Accordingly, brand experiences must have a
human element that ties together your goals,
your message

23. 3 Make a Connection
Accordingly, brand experiences must have a
human element that ties together your goals,
your message and your audience

24. IN A FASCINATING WAY.

25. One-Off Events Don’t Work4

26. 4 One-Off Events Don’t Work
And that means your event must tie into other
engagement tactics you offer.

27. Your event is a stepping stone to
the next connection point with your
audience—you need to work hard
to keep attention and stay relevant.

28. Let’s Get Phigital5

29. #
Let’s Get Phigital
It’s not about an all-digital event.
5

30. Let’s Get Phigital
Nor should an immersive event be exclusively
inside the walls of your venue.
5

31. Integrate physical/real and digital/virtual to
create a holistic design through personalization,
audience tracking, mobile experience and more.

32. 6 Partnerships Mean Power

33. 6 Partnerships Mean Power
Brands are lauding agency partners as the secret
sauce behind their best events.

34. Working together with strong, like-
minded partners empowers companies
to push boundaries and build stronger,
healthier brands through live experiences.

35. Want More Event Tips?
Article: 6 Actionable Ways to Spice Up Your
Event Branding
Article: 5 Event Tech Tips to Maximize
Engagement in 2016
White Paper: Bring Meeting Strategy
into Focus
Client Story: Auto Parts Distributor Expo

36. ITA Group provides innovative engagement solutions—events,
incentives and recognition programs—that maximize business
impact and value for organizations globally.
For more than 50 years, we’ve served as a proven, trusted partner for some
of the world’s biggest brands. And, each of our solutions is infused with
Motivology
SM
, an exclusive brand of motivation that gives our clients a competitive
advantage in aligning and motivating their most important asset—their people.
Learn more of our story at itagroup.com.