What’s next for meetings in 2025? How do you design an event that’s budget friendly while keeping sustainability top of mind? As the event world evolves, being in the know about the latest trends could be the secret to turning your next event into an unforgettable experience.
We spoke with two partners, Ann Marie Martin, Owner and Creative Director at Cedar & Spice, and Korrine Engelke, Creative Director at Event Essentials—for their advice and insights on the event trends set to shine this year. When you meet in Madison, we’ll connect you to our extensive network of industry experts, ensuring your events are not only on trend but also expertly crafted for success.
Jump ahead to these questions:
What are the top event trends you foresee dominating in 2025?
What are some creative ways planners can manage tight budgets while delivering high-impact events?
How can event planners enhance networking opportunities to make them more dynamic and engaging for attendees?
What are the latest trends in sustainable materials and options for event decor, signage and giveaways?
What are the most impactful eco-friendly practices event planners can adopt in 2025?
How can meeting planners leverage personalization to create more memorable attendee experiences?
What food and beverage trends do you think will resonate most with attendees in 2025?
What types of interactive or immersive elements are gaining popularity among attendees?
What are the top event trends you foresee dominating in 2025?
Ann Marie Martin (AM): Experiential events have been on the horizon for some time, and we believe they will gain significant traction in 2025. These events have an interactive focus with the goal of creating unique experiences for the attendees through immersive senses and surfaces. Guests will be immersed in multi-sensory experiences through aesthetic visuals, tangible moments, flavorful tastings, evocative sounds and the incorporation of scents. In addition, the transformation of unexpected surfaces (ceiling installations, wall displays, floor vinyls) will create dynamic event ambiances. We will also see more tech incorporated through the integration of augmented reality, social media integration in events and projection mapping. Be willing to take creative risks with your planning as those will become the things people remember!
Korrine Engelke (KE): In-person, relationship-based experiences that turn back to one of our very basic needs—connection—are on trend for 2025. After the experiences of 2020 and the following years, people seem to be asking themselves what they really want out of their day. Therefore, events that bring clear focus and immersive experiences are most appealing.
We are also leaning into smaller networking opportunities and experiences that offer authentic connections, be it to a brand, a company or an individual. I’m witnessing a beautiful shift in highlighting a sense of community and inclusivity in a way we haven’t had in a while, or ever. It seems like we have been bringing back a focus of less individual gain and wanting to engage in community support more. While the days of volunteering had felt a bit lost for a while, I think this is resurfacing and events are activating this idea again.
What are some creative ways planners can manage tight budgets while delivering high-impact events?
AM: Prioritize the large, unique experiences, as they set the tone and structure for the overall experience. These wow moments are the visual and functional anchors that guests will notice and remember most vividly. An example of these key components might be a beautiful focal point in the center of the room, such as a hanging installation or a large buildout from the floor. Unique and eye-catching stage backdrops for a speaker, DJ or musician can also serve as a striking visual element. A fabulous entry moment can welcome the attendee into an exciting atmosphere.
Finding double uses for your pieces is always a way to get more bang for your buck. For example, utilize a table assignment wall at the beginning of an event as a dessert wall at the end of the event.
KE: No matter what the budget, the most impact you can have with an event is intention. Take time to get really clear about why you’re doing the event and what kind of outcome you want to create. Once you have a well-defined reason, do what you can to reflect this reason with every decision. If you keep that tight focus on the intention your attendees are sure to feel it through their experience.
Set the tone from the start with a clear message through your invitation process. Reiterate the message through literal signage (don’t underestimate the value in good wayfinding and written communication) or simply how you’ve intentionally laid out a space. Speaking of event layout, this is a detail that costs you next to nothing but can have the highest impact. Be strategic about how you intentionally lay out a room or spaces to organically cultivate the experience you want your attendees to have. Step back and envision the experience from your guest's perspective.
We all get busy and it’s very easy to move on to the next focus, so keep post-event action items a part of your planning. A great series of social posts or even an email or handwritten note after the event helps solidify all the work and intention that was put into the event itself.
How can event planners enhance networking opportunities to make them more dynamic and engaging for attendees?
KE: Perhaps you’re noticing a theme but intention, intention, intention. What kind of atmosphere will best support your event goals?
Give your attendees options for how to engage, both in the physical form and the consideration for timeline or agenda. Create multiple areas to sit or gather, even if it is all held within one large room. Make sure you have enough tables and chairs to help bring comfort but also an atmosphere for moving about the room.
Offer a couple of inspiring activations—something that calls attention to your “why” but also creates buzz around the room. Bring energy and interest with a unique display, photo op or an engaging activation with guest participation.
Provide easy opportunities to stay connected. Depending on the reason for the event that could mean a lot of different things, but what ways could the experience you’re creating facilitate ongoing connections to your cause, your reason and for those networking with each other in the room?
What are the latest trends in sustainable materials and options for event decor, signage and giveaways?
AM: Renting signage and decor is an easy and great way to keep things sustainable as they are multi-use pieces! Don’t be afraid to ask businesses about their sustainability practices and learn what is going to happen to your custom elements after your event. For example, at Cedar & Spice, sustainability is one of our core values. Any time we create a custom piece for an event, we either take it back into our inventory or harvest down materials to use again to reduce our environmental impact.
Graphic suppliers have increasingly started offering environmentally friendly substrates and media for print graphics. Corrugated paper printable substrates are fully recyclable and biodegradable and are a great substitute for applications where foam or petroleum products were previously used. What used to be a special-order item is now often carried as a stock item at graphics suppliers.
Also, consider lighting to make a big impact with a low footprint and go digital to avoid printable assets that aren’t necessary.
What are the most impactful eco-friendly practices event planners can adopt in 2025?
KE: Cut out the disposables and rent real tableware or tablecloths. Getting furniture that is from a rental company supports the idea of eco-friendly shared equipment.
The next thing that comes to mind is swag. What is it that you’re offering? Is that lanyard, water bottle or bag going to be used, or will it end up in the trash? Make sure any swag you provide ties back to the reason for the event. Or better yet, could that swag be more of an experience? People want experiences, they don’t want the stuff, at least not just for the sake of getting stuff.
How can meeting planners leverage personalization to create more memorable attendee experiences?
AM: Start by considering your attendees’ interests and the tone of the event. Reflect on your organization's personality: Is it professional and formal, or playful and dynamic? For a playful approach, you might incorporate large-scale games that educate and entertain, helping attendees connect with the event’s content. Interactive elements like a wall for guests to answer prompts, a branded photo op aligned with the theme, or creative installations—such as a Polaroid photo wall or a 3D company timeline—can add depth and energy to the experience.
Keep in mind that while things like favors can be fun, they tend to be forgotten unless they are received in a unique way, like a favor stand or bodega. When guests are actively involved and enjoying themselves, they’ll not only appreciate the effort but also carry lasting memories of the event.
What food and beverage trends do you think will resonate most with attendees in 2025?
KE: Interactive food stations that promote networking and personal connection seem to be making a comeback, along with anything that helps an attendee to feel more seen and appreciated. Mocktails and special dietary considerations are all in. Provide guests with alternative options from what we’ve grown accustomed to as “appropriate” or “normal” event menus. Lean into the event theme and intention: what kind of beverages and menu options will support this fully immersive experience? If you have food and beverage areas, make sure you’re giving those aesthetic consideration as well.
What types of interactive or immersive elements are gaining popularity among attendees?
AM: Games and entertainment have gotten that much more exciting for events! Event attendees love oversized games (for example, we carry branded custom mini golf sets that are very popular), arcade-style moments and large, dimensional photo ops. Interactive installations that poll attendees and/or ask for answers to prompts are also popular.
Unique food and drink displays are still trending—guests love food and adding a unique way to receive their treats is always a hit!
Meet in Madison
By choosing Madison for your next meeting, you gain access to Destination Madison’s event services team, who will introduce you to leading industry experts like Ann Marie from Cedar & Spice and Korrine from Event Essentials. We’re here to provide the resources and connections you need for a flawless event. Submit an RFP today!
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