Social needs will be key future trend for events, says report
3 January 2017 by
Charlotte Flach, Be the First to Comment
Events that satisfy emotional needs and teach interpersonal skills will be a key future trend in the conference and events industry, according to a new report by QHotels.
The report was commissioned in conjunction with futurist,
Dr Ian Pearson, to lead a workshop with QHotels’ Event Profs Panel, to examine the key factors that will shape the C&E industry of the future.
A summary of other key trends includes:
* Greater demands on venue security including the ability to confidently verify the identity of attendees and delegates and track them from registration through an entire event or exhibition while they remain on site.
* A move away from smaller meetings towards larger events with companies and organisations likely to spend budgets on larger, more impactful gatherings avoiding the need to travel and reducing security risk.
* Technology will drive change in the short-term, shortening the distance between bookers and venues when shortlisting and selecting venues, with VR and AR offering the opportunity for virtual walk-rounds and to dress venues from your desk or mobile device.
QHotels’ director of marketing, Claire Rowland, said: "
The pace of change is accelerating in the industry, so it’s important that we are aware of new developments and can react to new opportunities. That’s why we are listening to professionals both inside and outside of our industry, to ensure that we can anticipate the wider issues and changes that will affect us all.
"What has become clear is that, whilst technology is often cited as where we will see the biggest changes, it’s not a specific piece of technology or device that you need to focus on, it’s the broader effect that it will have on people’s behaviour that will shape the industry. Listening to, understanding and adapting to those changes in behaviour is how we can support the C&E industry of the future."