10 Event Trends to Ring in the New Year

December 10, 2024

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Here’s what Global DMC Partners projects will be the top 10 event trends shaping the industry in 2025.

Change is the only real constant you can count on, and that counts doubly when it comes to meeting and event trends. With new tech innovations, shifting consumer priorities and a variety of global challenges on the horizon, “The focus will remain on creating meaningful, forward-thinking events,” says Global DMC Partners President and CEO Catherine Chaulet.

Following are 10 event trends predictions Global DMC Partners, the worldwide network of independent destination management companies and specialized event service providers, think will help shape meetings and events in the coming year.

Go outside the traditional for site selection. Immediately post-pandemic, attendees wanted to stay closer to home and in more familiar places. That’s now changing, according to Global DMC Partners. Instead, the event trend now is to seek lesser-known destinations for their programs, as well as more exotic destinations in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Even in usual hot spots such as Portugal, planners are looking beyond Lisbon to untapped locales that aren’t already stressed by overtourism.
Supply chain challenges are still a force to reckon with. As demand continues to outstrip supply in air travel — and airline companies continue to deal with everything from parts shortages to airline bankruptcies — prices aren’t likely to decrease any time soon. Hotels and AV companies likewise are still facing ongoing supply challenges. To keep costs under control while still providing an immersive experience, planners are increasingly opting for 4-star properties over 5-star venues.
Timelines will continue to be condensed. Citing geopolitical tensions and economic pressures, DMC Global Partners says last-minute decision-making also is going to stick around into 2025. Flexibility also will be key to avoid cancellations.
Off-season is gaining traction. Boston in February, which once would have been given a frosty reception by meeting attendees, now is more of a viable option as winter in the Northeast becomes milder. “Expanded seasonality helps planners avoid peak pricing while still offering desirable experiences,” the DMC network said in a statement.
Sustainability gets real. Greenwashing is so over — especially in the meetings and events industry, which is becoming a key driver of sustainable tourism. On the agenda for 2025 will be a focus on waste reduction, locally sourced food and beverage, and experiences that positively impact local economies and communities.
AI gets personal. The trend toward providing a customized experience, which has been ongoing for a while now, is getting an AI-assisted boost now, making it easier to personalize itineraries and develop creative engagement tools. 2025 will see a strong focus on educating planners and attendees on leveraging these tools effectively, ensuring that technology complements—rather than replaces—the human touch.
Face-to-face still reigns supreme. While virtual and hybrid events had a brief time in the spotlight during COVID-19, as soon as people could meet face to face, they did, and that trend will continue, according to the DMC network. “Companies recognize the importance of in-person connections for building relationships, fostering creativity, and driving innovation.”
Get ready for increasingly diverse audiences. From accommodating generational differences to physical and neurodiverse challenges, planners need to be ready to make all feel welcomed by providing flexible seating, free time and self-guided activities, and accommodations such as closed-captioning and virtual options.
Next-level wellness on the agenda. Massages and yoga at dawn are a good start, but attendees now want to take it up a notch. According to the DMC network, “. Inspired by athlete recovery techniques, 2025’s events will offer medicalized wellness experiences such as advanced diagnostics, tailored recovery programs, and extreme self-care practices designed to boost physical and mental vitality.”
Business casual gets really casual. Sneakers are sneaking in not just at giant trade shows, but at meetings and events of all types. Both companies and attendees are looking to fashion to express their authentic selves, which may or, more likely, may not be the usual business-as-usual attire.