Meetings Blog Dec 18, 2018
In the digital era that we’re living through, it’s truly amazing how much development we in just 12 months. Yes, some of the trends that shaped 2018 are continuing into the new year, but as technology advances, these trends are getting upgraded. An ever-changing social and political scene is also having an effect on the industry, and so we’ve asked a cross section of our NH Hotel Group meetings and events experts to see what they think is going to be taking the focus for 2019. Here’s our five to get you going…
for a planner than when an attendee leaves the meeting or event with strong, positive feelings about what they’ve just experienced. satisfying for attendees than having an incredible story to tell about their latest appointment. For both of these to be possible, planners need to ensure that the venue they source has something unique about it, then consider other ‘memorable’ aspects within and around it. For ideas on décor, the social media sites of fashion shows, for example, are a great source, and likewise foodie inspiration can be found on the blogs of celebrity chefs’. Experienced M&E venue providers can often also give a nice boost to creativity. And if what you deliver ends up on an attendee’s Instagram page then you know you’ve succeeded!
Expert tip: the Internet has a wealth of information just waiting to be exploited. Decide what angles you are looking for, collect ideas, and let your creativity do the rest
2. It’s all App-ening
Mobile applications have been around for some time but each new year sees upgrades to those that are working well, while new offerings appear to meet a particular need. This burgeoning marketplace will see apps used even more than before in 2019 across the events industry, as the end-to-end attendee experience is further enhanced. The use of apps with push notifications to keep people informed, schedules updated in real-time, and also engagement and feedback elements will all play their part; and each will be more personalized to the event itself.
Expert tip: huge app choice can sometimes feel overwhelming. Discuss event needs with your venue contact and agree which ones and how best to take advantage of them.
Tech is understandably going to take much of the focus when it comes to new trends, and this includes the continued impact of social media. Do not underestimate the influencing power that these platforms wield and look at how best you can harness it ahead of, during, and following your event. Audiovisual content is going to be the biggest driver of 2019 so look at where best you can utilize this appropriately for your target audience across various social media sites.
Expert tip: your attendees, especially the younger groups, are ever more intertwined with their mobile devices, so look to target them there.
One of the ‘downsides’ to event planners continuing to push the levels of excellence is that attendees’ expectations are growing. There is now an almost insatiable appetite for unique locations, with easy transport links, local areas of interest, and wonderful customer care seen as a given. This list of demands is going to include a greater desire to improve their well-being: access to natural light, meetings in the open-air, and health-focused activities. Fortunately, more and more venues understand this change and are building this into their own plans. Of course, when referring to appetites, there is also the requirement to ensure that the food offered is healthy and sourced responsibly, while remaining enticing and creative.
Expert tip: meet in advance with potential venues to get a full tour of their facilities and agree exactly how this would play out across the length of your meeting or event.
There has long been a desire to provide unique experiences within an event and 2019 is going to see a further shift in originality, but of the host venue itself, with exclusivity and VIP treatment in demand. Carefully select where the meeting takes place to allow attendees to meet exciting new cities; consider the layout and services available to make your guests feel comfortable and at ease; and aim to match the entire experience to the objective and content of the event.
Expert tip: look to combine the attributes of your chosen singular venue with appropriate experiences within it – food, décor, activities, etc. – to make the attendees fall in love with the overall feeling.
Hopefully these tips can inspire you with your planning for the year ahead and, as always, we’ll be keeping a very close eye on the trends as and when they emerge. Pop into our unique meetings and events blog from time to time for articles, tips, galleries, links and more, and you can also stay right up to date by following us on Twitter @nhmeetings.
