How to plan events in 2026: strategies and evolving trends

Shorter attention spans demand snackable content

Nobody’s clamouring for marathon keynotes anymore. Sessions got shorter, with 20 to 30 minutes becoming the new normal. The corporate audience wants quick, clever, interactive formats that deliver value fast.

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Think TED-style presentations kept to 20 minutes or less, with intentional engagement cues built in—a ten-second pause here, a thought-provoking question there. Lightning panels work. Audience-driven discussions succeed. Gamified networking creates actual connections rather than awkward hovering near the canapés.

Experience design trumps agenda padding

Attendees travelled to your event. They want experiences that feel personal and aligned with the destination, not generic conference fare. The strongest ROI in 2026 comes from thoughtful experience design—build-your-own gifting stations, shareable activations like headshot booths, or VR zones.

Venues themselves are evolving. Outside-the-box locations are stealing the spotlight: art galleries, greenhouses, mountaintops, warehouses with good acoustics. The traditional “stand here, sit there” layout is fading as planners prioritise movement, discovery, and ease of connection through flexible floor plans with lounge groupings and open networking zones.

Technology serves the narrative, not the spectacle

AI’s role in events remains somewhat nascent—only 45% of planners use AI to improve operations or personalise experiences. That’s changing. Smart planners are leveraging AI to automate workflows, analyse attendee behaviour in real time, and power personalised agendas.

Production is shifting away from sheer intensity and towards meaningful impact. Integrating technology with theatrical elements and genuine moments of human connection is increasingly highlighted by event production specialists as what gives an event depth and significance.

Sustainability isn’t optional anymore

Environmental responsibility has evolved from nice-to-have to fundamental requirement. Approximately 54% of organisations are incorporating sustainability goals and best practices for events, and that figure’s rising.

This shift is driven partly by regulation, partly by organisational commitments, but mostly by attendee expectations—particularly as Millennials and Gen Z represent the majority of professional attendees. These demographics make participation decisions based on values alignment, with sustainability at evaluation forefront. Attendees expect responsible practices from eco-friendly materials to mindful food and energy choices.

Virtual events have found their purpose

After a dip in excitement, virtual events are making a meaningful comeback in 2026, but this time it’s purpose driving the return. Companies are turning to virtual formats for what they actually excel at: internal communications, global all-hands, new-hire orientations, compliance trainings, large-scale town halls.

These are moments where scale, accessibility, and cost matter more than showmanship. Virtual events only work when they feel alive—pre-recorded sessions without interaction fall flat. But done properly, with live elements and genuine interactivity, virtual formats serve specific purposes brilliantly whilst hybrid approaches continue offering flexibility for diverse audience preferences.

Making it work