Happy New Year Event Planners 🎉
Another year has come and gone! 2024 was packed with fresh ideas, innovative strategies, and groundbreaking trends that had event planners like you staying ahead of the curve. Of course, we’re all excited to jump in and look ahead toward 2025, but today let’s take a quick moment to look back on some of this year’s reads that inspired, informed, and maybe even gave you a laugh or two. Here’s a roundup of your favorite articles from the year:
Planners Gonna Plan: Top Events to Know in 2024
Maybe not surprisingly, event planners love … to plan! 😂 You tuned in big time to our list of must-know events for 2024. From International CONFEX, where you globe-trotting trendsetters set your sights, to IMEX America, which is always a hub for industry connections — you marked your calendars for the premier keynotes of the year on event technology, sales strategies, sustainable practices, and the future of events. For the tech enthusiasts, let’s not forget about Event Tech Live, which delivered a showcase of cutting-edge tools reshaping the industry. Whether you attended in person or added these to your dream conference list, these events were the place to be for networking, learning from the best, and finding out about the latest tech and event trends.
Oh, hey, did you see we dropped our 2025 list of top events to know?
Stress? What Stress? Handling Last-Minute Registrations
Seems like last-minute registrations are a universal scenario that all planners can relate to. Our popular guide showed you how to tackle those eleventh-hour (or later!) sign-ups with ease. From flexible registration systems to on-demand badge printing that takes the chaos out of check-ins, you discovered how to turn potential disasters into seamless experiences. “Last-minute” didn’t have to mean “panic” — it meant you were prepared for anything.
Cutting Through the Noise: Event Tech That Works
With all the new tech and trends out there, it’s no wonder you looked for a little insight into what actually works in the event world. From AI-powered automation to virtual and hybrid events (did someone say “metaverse?”), this article was your guide to sifting through the hype and getting real about what works and what doesn’t for event planners. Social integration, event mapping, and human-centric touches took center stage. And while every event has different needs, this article helped you filter through the latest tools to complement your strategies.
AI Everywhere!
Artificial intelligence dominated the headlines this year, and it was no different in the event world. In fact, a few our most popular articles of the year revolved around AI and ChatGPT. But our readers’ favorite on the topic was The Role of AI in Event Planning: Enhancing Efficiency and Personalization. From automating content creation, to smarter scheduling, better budgeting, and more meaningful analytics, AI became an indispensable tool for planners. It wasn’t just about working smarter; it was about how we can use these tools to create experiences that felt personal and impactful. Whether streamlining tasks or wowing attendees, AI proved its place in event planning in 2024.
Marketing Magic: Trends That Mattered
Marketing trends are always something to keep an eye on, and our 2024 guide was one you took to heart! For conference and event planners, marketing is key to getting attendees in the door—but it’s not just about building buzz, it’s also about keeping them engaged and building a relationship with your brand so they’re excited to return year after year. Some of your favorite tips for 2024 included a focus on ethical marketing strategies, sustainability, and data-driven insights.
Bonus! Celebrating Quiet Planners
Even though this one technically dropped toward the end of December, 2023, it earned its spot on this year’s list as one of our most-read. Introverted planners found their groove with tips on working in a field known for extroverts and big personalities. We commend those introverts and their quiet leadership, and know that sometimes the strongest voices are the ones that let their work do the talking!
Here’s to Another Year of Big Wins!
Did we miss one of your favorite moments? Let us know what you’d love to see more of in 2025. Whether it’s fresh trends, smarter tools, or tips for tackling the unexpected, we’ll keep bringing you the best insights to make your events unforgettable. Here’s to learning, growing, and crushing your event goals—together!
