Looking for 2025 event trends – you’re in the right place? As we head into this new year, the meetings and events landscape is brimming with opportunity and momentum for clients. Following a strong 2024, where Bien Venue saw a 56.1% surge in total delegates, a remarkable 44.9% growth in average number of delegates per event, and a 25.1% increase in locations booked, there’s no doubt that businesses are recognising the power of face-to-face connections.
So, what can we expect this year? Here are the key 2025 event trends we predict will shape meetings and events in the coming year, helping you plan more confidently.
Larger, more impactful meetings and events
The events we book are no longer just about getting people into a room – they’re about creating meaningful, larger-scale opportunities for connection. The 44.9% growth in average delegates per event tells us a story – businesses are bringing teams together at scale to encourage internal communication and engagement, strengthen culture, and work towards business goals.
For Bien Venue’s clients, the trend represents greater numbers at roadshows AND whole-company conferences. It’s certainly a change from our previous observation of large-scale conferences being replaced by roadshow communications events. Both event types are now gaining popularity.
In terms of 2025 event trends, we expect continued investment in impactful events as organisations double down on the value of in-person connection – of all types – to inspire their teams and drive results.
A rise in nationwide events
With a 25.1% rise in locations booked, it’s evident that companies are moving beyond localised meetings to embrace national events that engage their teams across regions. Modern workforces are more dispersed than ever, and businesses recognise the importance of bringing people from around the country together. Whether it’s a multi-day conference, a team retreat, or a leadership summit, bringing teams together across locations will remain a priority in 2025.
AI in events
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to play a more significant role in events through 2025, with possibilities including delegate engagement through AI-driven tools such as chatbots and smart matchmaking.
However, as exciting as AI developments are, over-reliance on AI tools can lead to impersonal experiences if not carefully managed, and data privacy concerns must remain a priority. If businesses are considering AI use, leaders must take the time to integrate it thoughtfully, ensuring it achieves a balance that complements the human touch that makes events memorable and authentic in 2025.
Increased overnight stays
In 2024, we saw a 15.4% rise in bed nights and an 8.5% increase in total events. This highlights a growing trend towards multi-day, immersive programmes allowing deeper engagement and better outcomes. In 2025, we expect this to continue, with businesses favouring comprehensive events that combine work, teambuilding, and downtime. Overnight stays maximise time together and allow for more relaxed, meaningful connections that teams often can’t achieve in a single day.
Gamification at scale
Gamification has already proven its value in boosting engagement, and in 2025, we expect to see it implemented more often for large-scale events. From team challenges and interactive competitions to real-time rewards and leader boards, gamification encourages participation and injects energy into meetings and conferences.
It’s an excellent way to motivate attendees and ensure key messages stick. For more insights on how gamification can transform your events, check out our previous blog on the subject (LINK to gamification blog).
Delegate numbers are rising
Our clients’ combined 56.1% surge in total delegates signals renewed confidence in events and meetings in 2024. While investing in getting teams together, businesses are expanding their reach to include broader audiences.
Whether it’s larger client events, all-hands meetings, or strategic workshops, more seats are filling up. This upward curve will continue into 2025 event trends as organisations increasingly prioritise communication, people-first approaches, and collective experiences.
Widespread training
With businesses facing increasing challenges in retention and employee development, organisations are recognising the value of learning as a retention tool. As a result, more companies are investing in regular, widespread training programmes.
Training meetings and events will continue to play a key role in 2025, providing opportunities to upskill employees and support professional growth. In 2025, we may also see more training integrated into conferences, team meetings, and company events to drive productivity and engagement while supporting long-term employee satisfaction.
Purpose-driven events
While the scale of events is growing, so is the focus on engagement. In 2025, the most successful events will be those designed with purpose and people in mind.
Delegates want connections, learning and improvement opportunities, and memorable experiences. From interactive workshops to teambuilding challenges and inspiring speakers, we expect to see businesses pushing the boundaries of what they’ve delivered before to produce events for real impact.
2025 event trends – The year ahead
The momentum from 2024 has set the challenge for an exciting year ahead. Events and meetings are powerful tools for businesses to connect with and energise people and to encourage sustainable growth. With teams more dispersed than ever and the need for meaningful engagement critical, 2025 will be a year of strategic events.
So, are you planning your next meeting, conference, or team event? Then there’s no better time to think bigger, bolder, and beyond the boundaries of what you’ve done before. Contact our experts to help you find perfect venues and create events that support your professional and business goals.
Have you tried our free venue finding service?…
Bien Venue is a boutique creative agency that specialises in free UK venue finding. It’s not just workshops, training, conferences, or off-site meetings we manage and venue searches for. We also manage away days, residential training events, awards, roadshows, team building, and more. We also offer group accommodation management and event-specific bedroom allocations.