Trends That Will Shape the Corporate Event Industry

As an organizer, you already have the fifth most stressful job in the world. But on top of all the planning, you also need to keep an eye out for the next big thing that’s wowing audiences.

But what, exactly, should you be looking for? Should you incorporate virtual reality into your next event? What about augmented reality? It’s far too easy to get distracted by flashy new technology, and trends can come and go.

So which event trends should you focus on in 2017 to impress your attendees?

To help you deliver an unforgettable experience and grow your event, these are the top trends that are shaping the industry this year.

1. Livestreaming

Think live streaming video is too expensive? Think again. Thanks to free tools like Facebook Live, livestreaming is not only affordable — it’s a worthwhile investment with a positive ROI. 30% of people who watch a livestream of an event will attend the following year.

Using your iOS or Android device and the Facebook app, you can “Go Live!” from your Facebook page, event, or group with one tap. It’s that easy! Build anticipation before your event, give attendees a sneak peak before the doors open, or let them catch a glimpse of the behind-the-scene action backstage.

If you want to use Facebook Live to stream the action on stage, consider a camera upgrade. Livestream offers a $400 pocket-sized camera that works flawlessly with Facebook Live and is easy to use.

Even if you do splurge a bit on your livestream, chances are it will return more than you spend. Besides the increase in ticket sales you can expect the next year, there are more ways live video can drive ROI. According to Hubspot, 52% of marketers worldwide named video as the content type with the best ROI.

2. Nontraditional Venue Spaces

As more and more attendees demand one-of-a-kind event experiences, organizers are beginning to look at the venue as a way to meet their expectations.

Whether it’s just to host the post-event reception or facilitate breakout sessions, these less conventional spaces will help you serve up the unexpected to attendees. Choosing a unique venue gives attendees something to talk about, and encourages them to share the experience on social media. Imagine attendees on a rooftop loft sharing the view with followers on Instagram, using the event hashtag!

Leveraging innovative venue marketplaces like Spacebook has made it even easier for you to think outside the ballroom.

3. Distributed Commerce

If you want to sell more tickets and build a successful business this year, you’ll want to help people find events, buy tickets, and access events in any way they prefer. That’s the idea behind distributed commerce.

When event-goers are able to purchase tickets directly from an event discovery platform — like Facebook, Eventbrite or Ariyatickets — without ever leaving the page or app, they’re more likely to buy. In fact, each additional step in a checkout process results in a 10% decrease in transactions. With a distributed commerce strategy, you not only reach new potential attendees, you also eliminate the risk of losing interested buyers.

To take advantage of distributed commerce, choose a ticketing and registration provider that allows you to get your events in front of new audiences and allows event-goers to make seamless purchases wherever they discover your event.

Your attendees are your top priority, and with these trends you’ll be on the path to creating memorable live experiences that they’ll want to experience again and again. Wherever 2017 takes you and your event, you’re never alone. Get the latest tips and expert advice here.