Now halfway through 2025, we’ve seen many of this year’s event trends take centre stage, transforming how organisers approach everything from sustainability to personalisation. With new technologies maturing and audience expectations evolving, here’s a refreshed deep dive into what’s shaping the rest of the year.
1. Human Connection at the Forefront
After years of hybrid and virtual events, the irreplaceable value of in-person events is clear. While digital formats remain important, 2025 is expected to prioritise face-to-face engagement, with 59% of event planners favouring in-person-only formats over hybrid and virtual options. Internal meetings and team gatherings are expected to be among the most common types for 2025, enabling stronger, more meaningful connections. Recent data from IMEX Frankfurt and The Meetings Show confirm that 70% of attendees value face-to-face networking above all else, with 62% stating that in-person sessions led to higher-quality business connections compared to virtual formats.
However, technology will still play a vital role—not as a substitute but as an enhancer of in-person experiences. Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving this shift by enabling deeper personalisation, creating opportunities for tailored interactions that feel genuinely engaging. For example, at International Confex 2025, an AI-powered app connected attendees based on shared interests and interaction histories. This not only enriched the live event experience but also extended networking and engagement far beyond the event’s duration.
AI tools such as Grip and Brella are becoming essential for planners looking to segment audiences, provide personalised content recommendations and offer customised agendas. These technologies are helping event organisers achieve 1:1 personalisation at scale, which is emerging as the gold standard for impactful events. Yet, with the abundance of data available, many organisers still struggle to utilise it effectively. The key lies in combining the analytical strengths of AI with thoughtful, human-written content, ensuring that every touchpoint resonates with its audience. Research has shown that personalised communications can outperform generic messaging by over 200%, making this an essential focus for successful events in 2025.
2. Sustainability Beyond the Basics
In 2025, sustainability is no longer just a "nice-to-have" feature for events—it’s a non-negotiable. Attendees, clients and stakeholders are increasingly demanding environmentally responsible practices, pushing organisers to go beyond superficial measures like banning single-use plastics. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) further amplifies this shift, requiring organisations to disclose detailed sustainability metrics, including the environmental impact of their events, and driving the need for more robust and transparent strategies. Comprehensive sustainability strategies, including carbon offsetting, renewable energy and responsible sourcing, are now the industry standard.
Find out how CSRD affects event professionals in 2024/25 and how to prepare here.
Event planners are leveraging tools like Isla’s Trace and the GDS Sustainability Index to accurately measure their environmental impact, including Scope 3 emissions from travel and supply chains. These insights enable organisers to take informed steps towards reducing their carbon footprints. For example, the Business Design Centre, a standout Hire Space venue, has been at the forefront of sustainability. By switching to renewable energy and adopting initiatives such as installing induction kitchens, they have achieved 74.8% of their net-zero goal, showcasing the long-term impact of consistent action since 2008.
Collaboration remains a critical element in achieving sustainability goals. Event organisers are increasingly working with suppliers, venues and attendees to ensure sustainability is embedded at every stage of the event lifecycle. This shift towards collective accountability represents a new era in sustainable event planning, where innovation and collaboration drive measurable change.
Check out our latest blog collaboration piece with MeetEngland on using AI to make events greener here.
3. Automation and AI-Driven Tools for Streamlined Planning
The use of AI and automation in event planning is revolutionising how events are organised, enabling planners to focus on creativity and strategy rather than time-consuming manual tasks. These tools are enhancing efficiency, reducing workloads and improving the overall attendee experience.
For example, platforms like Zapier automate repetitive workflows, while Conversica’s AI chatbots provide round-the-clock attendee support, ensuring questions and concerns are addressed promptly. AI tools like Google Notebook LM are helping planners repurpose content more efficiently. A great example was highlighted at an Event Tech Live panel led by Matt Coyne, where he highlighted that Notebook LM summarised a 30-page report into a much shorter, easy-to-consume podcast. This saved days of effort, highlighting how automation can optimise resources more efficiently.
AI-driven design tools like Figma are also speeding up the creation of event materials, enabling rapid prototyping for kiosks, apps and on-screen displays. And with platforms like Hire Space 360, organisers can streamline contracting, centralise and automate communication and track reporting, cutting planning timelines drastically. As these tools continue to evolve, they will become essential for creating efficient, impactful events.
One of the biggest opportunities for planners right now is using AI to accelerate the ideation phase,” says Brian Kellerman, CEO and Partner of GoGather. “Whether you're scaling an event up or down, AI tools can help you quickly visualise what the experience could look like—from stage design to room layout and attendee flow. It’s a fast, cost-effective way to bring initial concepts to life. Then, when you bring those ideas to your production partners, we can assess feasibility and build on them. It shortens the design timeline significantly and empowers planners to walk into conversations with more clarity and confidence.”
Discover more about how AI is reshaping event planning in our blog here, or learn more about the transformative technology of Hire Space 360 here.
4. Accessibility and Inclusion Take Centre Stage
Inclusion and accessibility have become cornerstones of modern event design, reflecting the growing demand for events that are welcoming to all attendees, regardless of ability or background. From wheelchair-friendly venues to sensory-inclusive environments, planners are adopting a broad range of measures to ensure events cater to diverse needs.
Technological advancements are breaking down traditional barriers to accessibility. Tools like real-time captions and translation apps are making events more inclusive for global audiences, while platforms like CrowdComms offer great accessible event software for event planners to use at their events. These tools, combined with adherence to WCAG standards, ensure that digital and physical spaces are designed with neurodiverse and differently abled individuals in mind.
Here's our Top 8 Tips for Planning Inclusive Events: An Accessibility Guide For Event Organisers here.
5. Data-Driven Decision-Making and ROI Measurement
As budgets tighten and expectations rise, proving the value of events has never been more critical. Event organisers are increasingly relying on data-driven decision-making to track performance, justify spending, and demonstrate ROI. A recent Cvent report showed that 54% of planners now track attendee engagement scores as a primary KPI, alongside traditional metrics like registration and leads. Engagement is becoming a new currency in event ROI. Platforms like Hire Space 360 are leading the way with centralised tools that provide detailed analytics and tools all in one place. To find out more, see what Abby from Acrisure had to say about how Hire Space 360 helped support their event here.
A standout example of data-driven planning comes from the CN Sustainability Summit 2023, where You. Smart. Thing. (YST) used AI-powered travel assistants to promote low-carbon travel. This not only reduced the event’s environmental impact but also enabled organisers to collect critical Scope 3 emissions data for reporting. Such initiatives highlight the power of combining technology with data insights to deliver measurable impact and accountability.
Discover how Hire Space 360 provides insightful reporting here.
6. Extending the Lifecycle of Events
Gone are the days when events were confined to a single date on the calendar. In 2025, planners are increasingly focused on extending the lifecycle of events, creating pre-event buzz and post-event engagement to maximise their impact. This approach not only enhances ROI but also fosters stronger, longer-lasting connections with attendees and your wider audience.
Strategies to extend event lifecycles include pre-event webinars, teaser campaigns and content insights on socials. After the event, organisers are using blogs, podcasts and video recaps to keep the conversation alive. Some events are even creating digital hubs to house resources, recordings and forums, enabling ongoing engagement and community building.
This trend underscores the importance of viewing events not as isolated experiences but as integral parts of a broader engagement strategy. By maintaining momentum before and after an event, planners can deepen audience relationships and create a sense of continuity that drives year-round brand loyalty.
Read more about how you can drive year-round engagement with your events here.
Final Thoughts
As we head into the latter half of 2025, it's clear that the most successful events will be those that strike the right balance between innovation and empathy. With more tech and tools than ever before, planners have the opportunity to create events that not only perform but truly connect.
Read the 2025 Event Tech Almanac: Skift’s comprehensive almanac is the ultimate reference point for event tech in 2025. Packed with data, trend analysis and expert insights, it’s a must-read for future-focused planners.
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Author
Gemma Baker
Gemma loves all things social media and keeps busy by creating lots of Hire Space content. When she’s not creating content, you'll find her shopping, exploring or at the gym!
