Throughout 2019, innovation was at the forefront of the world’s top conferences, and 2020 is not going to be any different. The world is changing, and it is imperative for conference organisers to seamlessly adapt to these changes in order to keep ahead of the curve.

Top conference trends for 2020

Business- leisure (Bleisure)

By allowing employees to incorporate leisure time before or after a conference, their work/life balance can drastically be improved. As such, conference organisers should consider locations that are rich in culture, nightlife, adventures and the like.

Incorporating experiences into conferences

“Static” conferences are undoubtedly a thing of the past. Delegates are now seeking physical experiences that add to the overall value of the conference itself. Examples include:

• Gamification, where gaming elements are used for learning.
• Virtual reality set-ups, where delegates can experience products virtually. Have a look at how VR brings Mona Lisa to life in the Louvre VR experience.

Customized learning opportunities

According to a study conducted by UFI and Explori Global Visitor, delegates are experiencing decreased value from conferences that are conducted in the traditional sense. Today, they want to feel like conferences are tailored to their specific needs. Ideas include making use of technology to build specialized meeting agendas or creating targeted ads that focus on the delegate’s individual needs.

Focus on CSR

Conferences are excellent opportunities to present CSR initiatives. Often, competitions are held where the winning delegate is able to donate half the prize money to a charity of their choice. According to Ford Research, “45% of respondents expect a clear position from brands on certain social aspects, while 56% of respondents said they would not use the services of a company that, in their opinion, was harmful to society.”

Creative design layout

Having a creative design layout can help improve delegate experiences in a variety of ways. Here are a few important guidelines to follow:

• Seating layouts that encourage attendee interaction (e.g. semi-circle style).
• Green spaces, indoor gardens, living walls, and water features.
• Multi-functional and minimalist furniture to facilitate brainstorming and group activities.

Content should extend beyond the event

Delegates no longer treat events as a once-off source of information, but instead, they expect to receive additional information both before and after the event. Not only does this benefit the delegate, but it also creates a lasting impression of what the conference was actually about. In addition, this extra valuable information can also lead to additional sales post event.

Changing tastes

2019 saw an influx of people requesting gluten free, vegan friendly and locally sourced products, and we expect these requests to increase in 2020. In addition to this, the general population is growing increasingly concerned about where leftover food goes, so it is important for organisers to cater as sustainably as possible.

The events industry is constantly evolving and we’re proud to be taking part in the revolution. Contact us for a quote.