Event Industry Trends in 2026 That Matter

Do you find that event planning forces you to be working in both directions of a seesaw?

One side being attendee experience, as they have expectations for their personal touch to make them feel included, large screens with which they can connect, improved networking opportunities, wellness, purpose, and sustainability. The other side being finance, which wants proof that your events have provided value beyond a packed room. If so, you are not alone. 

People no longer measure a conference against the one they attended last year. Instead, they measure it against all of the seamless digital experiences they have had this month alone. In this blog, we cover the event industry trends that matter most and how to put them to work before your competitors catch up.

Let AI handle the repetitive event work

The early days of experimenting with generative AI are over. We are currently entering a new phase: agentic AI, which can handle tasks with more independence and support teams in more practical ways.

Behind the scenes, AI tools have already taken over tasks like suggesting session times, creating agendas, scheduling emails, recommending ticket pricing, and adjusting availability based on demand. What used to take a team of people clicking through spreadsheets now happens automatically, so the rest of the team can focus on running the event.

AI is not theoretical anymore. 

Over 65 percent of event professionals said they have used or are currently testing AI tools as part of their event workflows (most commonly for marketing, scheduling, and attendee experience). Meanwhile, global AI in the event planning market is expected to grow by approximately 22.9% annually between 2024 and 2033, making it clear that this is not a passing phase.

With AI in place, an attendee who is interested in data science doesn’t have to scroll through an extensive program to find relevant information. The system will show them what truly relates to their interests, based on their past interactions and choices.

When you look at real use cases:

• • AI can help teams find appropriate venues and vendors much quicker through smart sourcing and layout tools.
  • It can suggest personalized sessions and content so attendees will see things that are relevant to their interests.  
  • AI tools can analyze survey responses and engagement data to show what worked and what didn’t.

Virtual and In-Person Events Go Hand in Hand

Industry statistics show that 47% of event marketing professionals believe their best Return on Investment (ROI) comes from in-person events. At the same time, the pandemic has made hybrid events an everyday norm. 

In-person events have made a comeback after the pandemic. However, it seems as though the virtual aspect of events is here to stay. Since hybrid events allow for greater reach and accessibility, they appear to be the new standard.

A real world example of this model shows up at events like SXSW EDU. The conference offers both in-person and online passes. All attendees have equal access to the same keynote speakers, panelists, and virtual networking environments, with no differentiation between those attending in a room in Austin and those attending virtually on the SXSW EDU platform.

What does this mean for event organizers?

• • Exhibitor commitment remains strong
    High participation levels show that trade shows are still a major channel for lead generation and brand exposure.
  • Organizers are expected to do more
    As exhibitor numbers continue to grow, it is now more important for event organizers to provide reliable onsite systems that let attendees quickly move through the exhibit hall without long lines.
  • Results need to be trackable
    For Exhibitors to achieve ROI on their investment, they now require measurable data on attendee traffic, time spent at each booth, and engagement levels.

Real-Time Messaging Replaces Batch Emails

There was a time when one email could talk about an entire event. That model simply cannot keep up with how events actually work today. 

Nowadays, events are moving at such a speed that batch emails just won’t do. In fact, people are upgrading their ticket options mid-cycle, switching back and forth between virtual and in person attendance, and none of these changes will be waiting around for you to send out your next “everyone please read” email.

Live messaging, on the other hand, allows attendees to receive an alert when a particular session reaches its maximum capacity and they need to choose another session to attend. And, if an attendee arrives late, their schedule and access automatically update without waiting for a staff member to intervene.

In short, rather than sending a single announcement to tens of thousands of inboxes, today’s platforms use real-time alerts and triggers based on what is currently happening in the event.

Tech adoption is growing across every event type

The idea of what it means to be “tech savvy” will continue to evolve as we see a multi-generational workforce. Recent estimates suggest that more than 1.1 billion adults globally are age 60 or older, and roughly 34% of the U.S. workforce is age 50 or above.

Only a short time ago, event technology seemed to be something that only large conferences could afford to use. Many small research meetings or departmental level symposia had to rely on spreadsheets, e-mail strings, and manually created lists to keep track of badges. Today, even a thirty-person academic workshop expects online registration, digital tickets, live updates, and some way to manage who shows up where.

In other words, it means choosing tools that are:

• • Simple to use across mobile and desktop
  • Built with accessibility as a default, not an add-on
  • Shaped around real audience behavior and needs

Interactive events drive stronger ROI

For a long time, conference success was measured by how many people showed up. It’s true, as it used to be unique to attend a conference and traveling to one often felt rewarding.

However, the idea behind measuring success based on attendance is no longer valid in 2026. Viewers are able to view presentations remotely, browse papers, and do research all from the comfort of their own desks. What viewers will not be able to achieve from reading a PDF is the ability to question and debate a panel of experts.

The implications are especially important for academic conferences:

• • Students and researchers desire the opportunity to develop and test new ideas and receive feedback
  • Sessions such as live polling or open Q&A provide them with indicators of whether their ideas align with those of others
  • Workshops let people work through problems together instead of just nodding along 
  • Live feedback tells speakers which parts are landing and which parts need more clarity, while there is still time to adjust

Here are interactive formats you can add to your next event:

Hands-on learning

• • Hands-on labs
  • Bring your data clinics

Small group discussion

• • Peer roundtables
  • Executive office hours

Guided interaction

• • Topic-based networking matches
  • Live polls and Q&A
  • Personalized SMS journeys

Live data becomes the default way to run events

Live ticket sales, room occupancy, session check-in numbers, etc., are some examples of real-time data that would occur at an academic event. 

You can track which ticket types are selling well and which are slowing down; thus, if you decide to make a last-minute promotional push, you’ll know just how much further to do so. Additionally, you will also be able to see when a workshop is going to reach its maximum capacity and then direct those interested into another workshop that has not reached capacity, so the hallways don’t become congested.

How this affects event planning:

• • Live tracking is now the baseline
    As websites have transitioned to event-based analytics, teams expect to track site activity in real time with the same speed and detail.
  • Sponsors want instant visibility
    No longer do exhibitors wait until after the event to see what type of activity occurred at their booth or how many people visited them. They want live views of foot traffic, booth visits, and session engagement while the event is happening.
  • Decisions happen during the show
    With live data, event staff can now make decisions based on the current conditions as they happen.

Every attendee now expects a personalized experience

In 2026, it will be too old-fashioned for event planners to treat every attendee the same. People now expect experiences that adapt to who they are and what they care about. This is why one-size-fits-all programs have become so ineffective. Different people attend events in very different ways. 

First-time attendees need guidance.
Returning Speakers need to know how to get through the event efficiently.
Sponsors want to be able to make themselves visible to potential customers. 

When everything is tailored, nobody feels lost in the crowd, and that sense of being seen is what keeps people coming back.

To Sum Up

The event world in 2026 feels more creative and more energetic than ever. From choosing the right corporate event venue to using flexible spaces that fit changing plans, the core is the same. Combine smart technology, sustainability, and personalization, and events start feeling more intentional and less hectic.

If you catch up with these trends, you can plan events that stand out in an increasingly crowded calendar. To see how event registration, ticketing, networking, and scheduling can go hand in hand, book a free demo with Dryfta today.