01.07.22
By Lisa Major
As we head into the new year, it’s time to soak in all the glory of the last year and look ahead to what’s to come. 2021 turned out to be a much better year for experiential marketing and event professionals than initially expected, and 2022 will be even better. With contactless technology, upgraded health and safety protocols, and the dire need for human interaction, the future looks bright. In this week’s Happy Hour, we feature the top experiential marketing stories from 2021 and the latest trends and predictions for 2022.
“…what has unfolded across this industry over the last 12 months is nothing short of remarkable.” ~Kait Shea, Event Marketer
There were so many unknowns heading into 2021, and quite honestly, the future looked bleak this time last year. Fast forward to July 2021, and the floodgates opened for in-person events and experiences. And just as experiential and event marketers quickly pivoted to virtual events in the height of the pandemic, 2021 delivered a reverse pivot that aimed to get in-person experiences up and running as quickly and safely as possible. In this article, Event Marketer shares the top experiential stories from last year and predictions for the industry as we head into the new year.
“As the pandemic persists, event professionals have to embrace hybrid and virtual ecosystems, champion diversity, prioritize health and safety, and create event experiences that keep attendees engaged and coming back for more.” ~Chaviva Gordon-Bennett, Bizzabo
Photo: Surf Expo
The live events industry has come a long way since last January. While there is still some uncertainty about what the future holds as new variants pop up, 2021 taught us that live events could take place safely and successfully. Heading into 2022, hybrid events will continue to gain traction due to the flexibility they offer, and smaller, more intimate live events will continue to grow in popularity. Read on to see what else is trending in the year ahead.
“Looking to 2022, highly curated and unique experiences will rise to the top of consumers’ wish lists as the need for human connection continues to grow.” ~Victoria Copans, XLive
As this article says, it’s “time to get busy living.” The pandemic has proven that people desperately need interaction with one another, we need connections, we need the sights, sounds and smells of the world outside of our own homes. Fueled by the desire to make the most out of life, today’s consumers crave engaging and immersive experiences more than ever before and are more than ready for a total return to live events. Here, we take a look at a few tips that will help event producers create a stellar fan experience in 2022.
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