7 Biggest Event Trends of 2018

The world of events is rising swiftly. Weddings, private parties, corporate events and other similar occasions are all growing in both size and numbers. More and more couples are planning destination weddings in unique places, businesses are celebrating a good year by hosting a private off-site conference, and people are just planning their events in more extravagant places than ever before. With the demand for events continuing to grow, the demand for event uniqueness is rapidly increasing as well. People don’t want to attend just any average event; people crave a mind-blowing event experience.

Here are the biggest event trends for 2018 that are driving growth in the event industry.

Business Event Trends

This year there has been a rise in new and innovative ideas in business event entertainment and we are expected to have even more business events worldwide as more and more business entities are turning to live events for exposure. If this year’s event trends are to bring about changes in the scope of event tools, event specialists must discover how these new tools will affect the ways in which business is conducted within the events industry.

Team-Building Event Trends

As businesses are planning ahead, companies are focusing harder on team development as well as team building, both of which are vital. Looking at team dynamics and individual personality types, directors are aiming to improve not only the efficiency of employees and teams but also the interactions between people, to support greater mental well being. There has been an upsurge in multi-day sessions permitting greater emphasis and application of team development and team-building.

Entertainment Event Trends

Live music isn’t such a new concept to the event industry. What is new is the way that live music is being done. The classic setup of having a live band, DJ, or other musical group on a stage probably isn’t going away anytime soon, but the days of that being the only form of entertainment at events are diminishing. Over the past few years we’ve seen the growth of things like roaming bands and musicians, singing waiters and staff, and flash mob dancers. The big rise in the whole event culture has even brought forms of entertainment like magicians, hypnotists, and beatboxers back from the depths of the late 20th century. Some events we’ve done recently have also included some circus style entertainment like jugglers, stilt walkers, and acrobats!

Staff and Service

We already mentioned that the waiter or waitress serving you at the next wedding you attend might surprise you by breaking out into song, but that’s not where the innovation of event staff ends. Traditionally, food at an event would be found at a huge table where you could go up, grab something, and sit down to enjoy your delicious meal. However, event trends are indicating that this style of service at events is on the decline. More and more events are becoming centered around engagement and interaction. People are on the go from one area to the next, mingling and meeting new people.

To accommodate this, the hospitality services at events are starting to adapt to this kind of event-style. We’re seeing more events move away from the formal meal style of food service to serving more appetizers and other mobile solutions. That means more staff walking around at events carrying small dishes that people can grab on the go so they can continue with what they’re doing to make the event more of a seamless experience.

Fun Activities

Party Photo Booth Rental

Outside of actual performers, people are investing in other forms of entertainment for their events as well. We’re seeing things like bounce houses make a glorious nostalgic comeback. Because who wouldn’t want to jump around like a nine-year-old kid in a bounce house after a couple drinks? Photo booths are also making a comeback by striking those “fond childhood memory” chords in many private event planners.

With that, we’re also seeing an increasing amount of modern forms of entertainment popping up at events. For example, virtual graffiti walls are starting to become more and more of a common occurrence. Whether it’s at a corporate event to encourage employee participation, or at a party to draw on a picture of your friend’s face, these graffiti wall and other similar interactive art platforms are starting to gain traction.

Local Exclusivity

The concept of destination weddings was to have an awesome and unique experience; now that same mentality is extending to all aspects and types of events. We’re now seeing events include unique activities that are exclusive to the local area, like guided tours of nearby attractions or landmarks. With the movement towards valuing experiences over physical belongings, people are becoming increasingly interested in the idea of visiting unique places for events to experience the local cuisine, music, and other cultural aspects.

Technology Event Trends

Some of the most significant 2018 event trends will be in line to event technology. With each new year, technological advances are predicted to happen in any professional industry. However, it is mainly important to stay on top of these trends for the events industry as technology holds a prevalent influence over all aspects of the event experience, for both planners and attendees.

An increasing number of events are beginning to include virtual reality experiences – for both productivity and entertainment. Virtual reality is being leveraged by corporate events for virtual meeting places and networking purposes, while more sportive events are using the technology to drive race cars, scuba dive, and go on other adventures.