So you have a corporate event coming up in the sunshine state of Florida? Maybe you already have an idea of what the look and feel should be or maybe not. Corporate event planning is constantly changing, and in this blog post, we’ll explore the top nine trends that have emerged in Florida and beyond in the events industry. From hybrid events that offer the best of both virtual and in-person worlds to sustainability and unique event venues, we’ll take a deep dive into what’s trending in 2023. Whether you’re an event planner or simply interested in the latest event trends, this blog post has got you covered.
1. Hybrid Events
Corporate event planning has undergone a significant shift in the past couple of years, primarily due to the pandemic. Virtual events saw a massive increase in popularity as businesses sought to engage with their audiences online. However, as the world opens up again, we’re seeing a decrease in virtual events’ popularity. Instead, event planners are opting for hybrid events that offer the best of both worlds. According to Google Trends, the top-rising related topic to “corporate event” during the past five years has been “Virtual events”1. However, during the last 12 months, this topic has been searched less. The search, “hybrid events” has seen a significant rise in popularity during the last year and reached an all-time high in early April 2023. Florida is among the top 6 states searching this term 2. In 2022, 71% of organizations with 5000+ employees had included hybrid events in their event planning 3. As such, event planners must look into renting unique event spaces (which we’ll discuss later) and AV equipment for virtual attendees like monitor rentals, touchscreen kiosks, and giant iPhones to provide a seamless hybrid event experience for their attendees.
2. Event Sustainability
Sustainability has emerged as a growing trend in the Florida events industry. For the search “sustainable event management”, Florida ranks second in the search term 4. Event planners are incorporating eco-friendly practices into their events to reduce waste and minimize their carbon footprint. In 2022, both attendees and event professionals became more aware of the environmental impacts of physical events, such as food waste and travel-related carbon emissions 5. As a result, event planners are being evaluated more and more on their ability to create unique events that are sustainable and socially aware. Social awareness means being environmentally aware and supporting the community through using local vendors and suppliers. One creative sustainable corporate event idea is to rent reusable dishware, such as the Bella Collection China sets and GOA Collection Flatware set, to reduce single-use waste. Using fine China instead of plastic also adds a feeling of elegance to any occasion.
3. Event Technology
The modern digitalization trend requires event planners to adopt more up-to-date event technology. AR and VR have surged in popularity as businesses seek to engage attendees in new and exciting ways. AR overlays digital information in the real world, while VR immerses the user in a completely digital environment. Both are being gamified to help people learn, such as using VR simulations to train employees in different scenarios. Event apps are also becoming popular for providing schedules, speaker bios, and other important information to attendees. To make events more interactive and fun, interactive virtual games like Virtual Escape Castle and Virtual Hypnotherapy can be rented for team-building or unique experiences for attendees.
4. Health & Safety Protocols
The pandemic has significantly raised people’s awareness about the importance of health and safety in the events industry, making it paramount for corporate events in Florida to prioritize safety protocols. Event planners can take proactive measures to ensure the well-being of all attendees, by providing ample hand sanitizing stations and partitions like sneeze guards. One way to make these safety protocols more fun and usable is to add charging options and company logos to hand sanitizer stations. These hand sanitizing stations can be strategically placed at high-traffic areas, such as entrances, registration desks, and networking areas, to provide safety to attendees and free marketing opportunities for the hosting company. By implementing safety protocols, corporate events can be conducted with the utmost care and consideration for the health and well-being of all participants, creating an environment that instills confidence and peace of mind.
5. Unique Event Venues
In today’s event planning landscape, finding a unique venue is becoming increasingly important to make your event unforgettable and to ensure repeat clients. Miami, in particular, has an abundance of unique event spaces, including museums, art galleries, and rooftop spaces, that offer a unique backdrop for corporate events. Hotels are also offering more non-traditional event spaces such as rooftops and outdoor venues. According to Marketing Insider Group, over 90% of event planners agree that events are more likely to be booked in non-traditional venues than they were five years ago 6. So if you want to make a statement with your event, consider stepping outside the box and looking for a unique venue that will wow your guests. One great option to consider is the Bubble City Wynwood, a unique venue that features a pop-up bubble installation in the heart of Miami’s arts district. Another amazing option is the Topgolf Doral Rooftop Terrace, which offers stunning views of Miami and is perfect for a corporate gathering or team-building event.
6. Event Data Analytics
Event planners in Florida are increasingly recognizing the significance of event data monitoring and analysis. Gone are the days of simply hosting an event and hoping for the best. Today, event planners want to measure the effectiveness of their events and gain insights that can help them plan even better events in the future, and outdo their competitors. To achieve this, various event platforms and mobile apps are available to collect and analyze data such as registration numbers, attendance rates, returning participants, engagement rates, and session popularity. Clear goals and objectives should be set for each event, and then measured to gauge success. This deep dive into event data allows event planners to determine what worked and what didn’t, and make data-driven decisions for future events. For a Florida-based event, two data management partner options to consider are Syncron Tampa and MAS Global Consulting. These companies specialize in event data analysis and provide valuable insights that can help event planners improve their events and stay ahead in the competitive corporate event-hosting landscape in Florida.
7. Social Media Integration
Social media has proven to be an effective tool to create buzz and foster engagement for corporate events. Real-time networking, facilitated by social media, has become a crucial trend in the event-hosting landscape. Attendees can connect with each other, as well as with event organizers and sponsors, both online and offline, through forums, social media platforms, or event apps. This real-time networking allows for genuine involvement and fosters enduring ties with brands. The majority of attendees now base their decision to attend an event on information found online, making social media an essential component of event promotion. Event planners should use every event as a chance to gain marketing material for their next event. You can do this by encouraging social media participation from your attendees by asking them to tag the event in their posts for a chance to win in a drawing, be featured on a conference’s “big screen”, or announce that the best post will win free tickets to next year’s event. To make the most of social media for event marketing, event planners can check out Event-Options’ social media platforms, which can be used as an event marketing idea board. On our social media, you will find marketing templates, ideas, and inspirations to enhance engagement and create memorable experiences for your attendees.
8. Wellness Hubs/Quiet Rooms
In recent years, there is a noticeable shift in focus toward the health and well-being of employees. Organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of building a healthy company culture and promoting the well-being of their employees, especially during corporate events 7. In the past, events were often packed with back-to-back-to-back sessions and networking opportunities, leaving little time for attendees to relax and rejuvenate. However, there is now a growing recognition of the need to provide downtime during busy events. This has led to the introduction of quiet rooms or ‘wellness hubs’ at events, where attendees can take a break, unwind, and prioritize their well-being. Event planners in Florida are now incorporating these well-being spaces into their event designs, and a recommendation is to consider renting relaxing and comfortable furniture products to provide guests with a conducive space to relax and recharge. Some potential furniture options for relaxing and unwinding are the Licorice Sofa in Green and the Red Leather Sofa from Event-Options.
9. Micro Events
With the previous restrictions on the size of gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, micro-events have emerged as a current trend in the corporate event-hosting landscape in Florida. Instead of hosting a large conference or trade show, organizations are now considering the option of hosting smaller, more intimate micro-events. These micro-events typically feature a single speaker, providing attendees with the opportunity to truly interact with the speaker and engage in meaningful discussions, unlike events with packed auditoriums. Event planners can enhance the intimate ambiance of these micro-events by using sofas instead of chairs, which creates a cozy and relaxed atmosphere for attendees. For example, you could use Biscayne Loveseat and Boca Sofa, to create a new modern micro event feel for your next conference.
Corporate event planning in Florida is constantly evolving, and event planners must keep up with the latest trends to create unforgettable experiences for attendees. Hybrid events, sustainability, event technology, health and safety protocols, unique event venues, and event data analytics are some of the top trends shaping the industry. Incorporating these trends not only enhances the event experience for attendees, but it also helps event planners stand out in a competitive market. If you found this blog post helpful, share it with your friends so they can be up to date with the latest trends as well!
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