According to Eventbrite Australia, one in four event producers in Australia and New Zealand agrees that their work is about designing experiences. With 63% of Gen Z saying they attended more events in 2023, it is safe to say that the industry has recovered from the effects of the pandemic and is poised to continue rising.
With the new year on the horizon, it’s crucial to look back on the emerging trends in the Sydney and Australian event production industry. Event producers and professionals need to know the trends to integrate them into their projects and harness the data to assess and better understand their audience.
Technology and the cultural climate are two of the biggest disruptors in the event production industry. Event producers must keep up with these trends, especially in a fast-changing market, to deliver the best experiences to their audience.
Discover the top trends in Sydney and Australia impacting the event production industry.
Gamification techniques are no longer a nice-to-have in the event production scene in Australia. They’re now a must for event producers in 2024 and beyond!
As mentioned, AU and NZ event producers want to design experiences, not just plan events. The best way to achieve this is to increase engagement levels among event attendees. Gamification is the most effective strategy for boosting engagement as it requires social interaction, provokes conversations, and increases entertainment. Moreover, it is fun for the participants, especially when rewards are involved.
Incorporating gamification elements in event productions using technology creates a memorable experience.
Augmented reality and virtual reality are everywhere these days. These technological features allow event producers to design experiences that enhance the entertainment and educational value of events and presentations. Moreover, they make obtaining and retaining information easier with clarity and efficiency.
AR and VR are more than just emerging trends; they symbolise the future of event production in Australia. In 2024 and beyond, you’ll find more event producers planning events that include attendees wearing VR headsets and AR technology to maximise the capabilities of these technologies to deliver information and entertain participants.
An example of using AR and VR for events is designing challenges and puzzles that event attendees can participate in. They can also partake in virtual scavenger hunts that test their skills, creativity, or knowledge. However, the best use for these technologies during event production is to gather and analyse data to gain valuable insights that would make future events more successful.
AI is taking centre stage in event production in Sydney and Australia in 2024 and the coming years. This tool makes it easy to personalise event planning, especially if you want to create memorable experiences for specific audiences. You can use AI to increase audience engagement and manage event operations.
One example of using AI to facilitate event production is using chatbots to answer questions from event attendees. You can also employ AI technology to schedule bookings for an event (such as registration and ticketing) or to provide recommendations for the audience to maximise participation.
Using AI also makes it possible to craft personalised welcome and thank-you messages to the audience. Small details like this can create memorable experiences and make your audience look forward to the next event.
Say goodbye to paper and hello to fast and efficient access to information with QR codes. Event production will rely heavily on QR codes in the future to connect event attendees to pertinent information about the event, such as event check-ins, venue mapping, and viewing calendars for event schedules. It simplifies the overall management process for the event producers and the audience.
However, QR codes are only one of many forms of contactless technology you can incorporate into event production. Other examples of contactless technologies for events include cashless payments and virtual swag bags.
Holograms are fast becoming the norm in event production in Sydney and other parts of Australia. Event producers use this technology to impress and engage the audience. This technology employs light, projection, and optics to produce 3D images that float in space. It became popular during the pandemic when hybrid and virtual events were the norm.
Hologram technology makes it possible to show projections of speakers presenting remotely. Nowadays, holograms bridge the gap between virtual reality and the real world. Therefore, it unlocks various possibilities to add convenience, flexibility, and engagement to any event.