Summer is almost here and things are changing in the events industry! Staying ahead of the curve could help your event stand out from the competition and keep guests coming back for more. This year we expect to see a push towards simplification, active participation, personalization, and more. The theme this summer is all about enhancing the guest experience from start to finish. We’ve put together a list of the hottest trends of 2023 to help inspire your summer events this year.
1. Active Participation
We’ve almost fully transitioned back to in-person events and guests want to be engaged. Simply watching video sessions or consuming content they could have easily accessed at home isn’t enough. Your guests don’t appreciate taking the time to come to an in-person event only to be asked to do things they could have done from home. It’s important to find engaging ways to make in-person events special.
Some more interactive elements you can add to your summer event are: a Q&A session, games, group discussions, or creating networking opportunities. However big or small, guests simply want to feel involved. This isn’t difficult for music festivals, family events, food and drink festivals, or comedy shows. However, for less interactive events, this is a vital trend to make note of.
2. Simplified Registration and Check-In
Simple is in and complicated is out. Guests want the registration and check-in process for your event to be as simple and easy as possible. This summer 2023 event trend is sure to make guests happy and your event flow smoother. The events industry is constantly moving towards more efficient practices and this is evidence of that.
Keep the checkout process simple and as distraction free as possible. That will reduce friction and increase the likelihood guests will complete the checkout process. When guests arrive at your event, they expect a quick check-in process so they can get right in and start enjoying your event.
Passage makes the check-in process simple for you and your guests. Our lightning-fast scanning technology reads tickets in 0.25 seconds flat. Spend less time checking in guests, so everyone has more time to enjoy your event.
Schedule a demo to see how it works.
3. Sustainability
Sustainability has become an increasingly important consideration for event organizers in recent years. As people become more aware of the impact of their actions on the environment, they expect event organizers to take steps to reduce their carbon footprint. For 2023 summer events, sustainability will continue to be a key trend.
One way to promote sustainability is by choosing sustainable venues that are energy-efficient, use renewable energy sources, and have recycling and waste reduction programs in place. Event organizers can also reduce waste by providing reusable or compostable materials for attendees, such as water bottles or utensils. Additionally, they can encourage attendees to use public transportation or carpooling to reduce the carbon footprint of their event.
Looking for ways to make your event more sustainable? There’s a blog post for that: 5 Ways to Make Your Next Event More Sustainable.
4. Bundled Experiences
Bundled ticket packages are a popular feature that many event organizers are taking advantage of this summer. These packages can provide guests with a more comprehensive and convenient experience by combining multiple event tickets or activities into a single purchase. This not only simplifies the purchasing process, but can also offer cost savings compared to buying individual tickets separately. For example, a music festival could bundle tickets for multiple days, or include merchandise or food vouchers as part of the package. Bundled tickets are a great way for event organizers to increase revenue while also providing added value to customers.
Passage has one of the most powerful bundle tools for events. Combine tickets to multiple experiences, or pair together admission plus merchandise into a package deal your guests will love.
Want to see bundles in action? Schedule a demo today.
5. Personalization
Attendees are looking for personalized experiences at events. They want to feel that the event is tailored to their interests and needs. One way to personalize events is by using data to understand attendees' preferences and interests. You can use registration data, social media activity, and other sources of information to create targeted marketing campaigns and customized agendas. Additionally, you may consider offering personalized recommendations based on attendees' interests. For example, sending personalized emails about upcoming events that fit with their interests or are happening near them.
If you’re unsure what data points you should be collecting post-event, we can help: Data Points You Should Collect After Your Event Ends.
6. Augmented and Virtual Reality
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are becoming increasingly popular in the event industry. These technologies offer new ways to engage attendees and create immersive experiences. This summer may afford a great opportunity to incorporate AR and VR into your events to provide guests with more interactive and memorable experiences.
AR can be used to enhance the physical environment by overlaying digital information onto real-world objects. For example, this could be used to provide attendees with interactive maps or information about exhibitors. VR can be used to create immersive experiences, such as virtual tours or simulations.
We’ve had games like Pokemon Go and AR experiences that allow our phones to act as another set of eyes for years. These tools are finally catching up to the events space and we’re starting to see the possibilities of such a powerful combination. Events like Coachella have already incorporated AR technologies into their event from interactive invitations to the ‘Coachellaverse’ which allows festival goers to explore the event through the app and give them access to a new adventure.
Conclusion
As we keep an eye out for 2023 summer event trends, the most important thing to remember is that it’s okay to adapt and evolve your event to meet changing expectations and desires. It doesn’t have to be a complete overhaul of your event every time - keeping up with trends doesn’t have to be stressful. This summer guests are looking forward to simple registration, personalized experiences, a push for sustainability, and to be engaged.
If you’re looking to create a simplified checkout experience and offer guests an easy event sign-up, we can help. Schedule a demo with our team today to see how simple Passage can be!
