Elton Lee Hesketh

Experiences are at the heart of brand-consumer connections. More than ever, people are craving connections and want to engage with brands that share their values and make them feel happy, counted, and appreciated. Inclusiveness, accessibility, and personalised experiences are at the core of these connections that people build with the brands they love. When it comes to brand love, experiences make hearts grow fonder.

Trade shows have made a comeback. A recent survey shows 62% of exhibitors plan to attend shows with the same or increased frequency as before the pandemic. 72% of expo attendees have expressed the same intention.

Should you be concerned about cybersecurity and your event? The answer is YES! The events industry is a fertile hunting ground for hackers. Large amounts of data are recorded for event management purposes, from ticket purchases and e-commerce transactions to forms filled with personal information. This information is valuable to cybercriminals who steal it for fraudulent purposes and financial gain. Here are some important insights for understanding cyber security threats in the context of events, and what you can do to keep clients, guests, suppliers, and employees cyber safe.

Conferences are just the types of events most likely to be influenced by the metaverse. Virtual attendees won’t simply be able to talk to brands or keynote speakers via social media and virtual breakout rooms.Instead, they will be able to interact with them directly in 3D or holographic form. With its roots in video games, the metaverse will help to boost energy and engagement through gamification. Even before the metaverse, gamification left 87% of workers feeling more socially connected.

The global events industry has taken a severe beating since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged but there are glimmers of hope for the industry, predicted to be valued at $1,552.9 billion by 2028. Forward thinking brands continue to use events to connect with their customers, suppliers and partners, with technology advancements enabling innovation in the way that meetings, conferences, product launches and other experiences are delivered.