Interactive station options

You can elevate an ordinary dinner reception with some simple interactive food station upsells. Offer to add
different proteins to a vegetarian station, for example, to increase the variety for guests. Feature a show-
stopper, like hand-carved Iberico ham to give guests something really special. Or, find a late-night snack that
matches your event theme to surprise them with before they depart.

Individualized beverages—always popular! Photo courtesy Kate Anfinson

Beverage stations are big right now. A sparkling wine or signature cocktail bar is a welcome greeting. Propose
that your clients not settle for ordinary non-alcoholic beverage options like sodas and tea. Create a station of
mocktails customized for the event, or set up a housemade lemonade bar.
A cookie before you depart…Photo courtesy Emilia Jane Photography
A parting gift station is fun. Give guests something to take at the end of the evening like cookies or brownies
in a pretty box or bag. Or present containers of popcorn on a themed station that they can munch on as they
make their way home.
Up-sell a beignet station—sure sounds like a New Orleans-centric win! Photo courtesy Ken Kienow
Photography
Know your stuff
Before offering any upsell, make sure your sales team understands how to price it. If it is too labor intensive or
the food cost is too high it might end up costing your company more than it makes.
Time your upselling wisely
There are points in the event planning process that are more ideal for certain kinds of upselling than others.
Initially, look for opportunities to persuade clients to choose more premium ingredients and quality beverages.
As planning progresses and the vision for the event becomes clear, you can use tastings and design meetings to
offer visual or presentation upgrades. Having samples and images that help your clients envision what you are
proposing is always more compelling than trying to describe your ideas without visual supports.
Perfecting the art of upselling is good for the bottom line and good for the quality of your events. Practice
identifying the best opportunities to upsell and hone your approach for maximum upselling success.
Comfort foods are still a crowd pleaser during the holiday season. One of JDK’s most requested items is a
Miniature BLT. Photo Credit: The JDK Group
Comfortable classics
Let's start with the basics: What are you going to serve at your holiday events? Smith shared that her team
enjoys taking comfort foods to the next level. After all, for many caterers, the holidays take place in a colder
time of year, so nothing warms up guests like a cheesy raclette station or Greek braised short ribs, two takes on
classics that Smith recommends. Sanchez agrees that comfort food never seems to die in the cold winter and
mentioned some popular requests are poutine stuffed potatoes, miniature BLTs, and roasted airline chicken
breast with tomato butter sauce, parsnip, and parsley hash.
Brand your buns
No, seriously: Smith said one of the popular features of their corporate event menu is branded food items.
Using a branding iron, they sear a company's name or logo into all sorts of items, including pita, chips, and—
of course—sandwich buns. This makes a more routine corporate event feel tailored to that specific audience.
Surprise guests with interesting presentations, like this suspended asparagus. Photo Credit: By Design
Collective
Get guests involved
Though most caterers now offer some kind of interactive station, corporate holiday parties are the perfect time
to really experiment. These events may not be as entertaining as weddings or other more personal celebrations,
so guests will be looking for some excitement. Try something with visual elements like fire, lights, ice, or
bright colors—Smith mentioned that her guests enjoy a sautéed donut station. The JDK team loves to get
theatrical when it comes to food presentation. Some of their favorites are smoked tray passed food where the
server opens a dome and smoke rises for the guest to enjoy a miniature appetizer. Sanchez mentioned action
stations continue to be popular for us which provide a picture-perfect moment for guests and allow our
culinary team the opportunity to put on a show!

Don't shy away from heights and color in presentations of small bites; they look less repetitive when there are
a lot of visual elements. Photo Credit: By Design Collective
Market your menus
The most recent holiday branding campaign at JDK is the #HolidayHero campaign. They created a custom
brand and theme design, separate landing page, marketing materials, online ads, and digital/social marketing
pieces that are used target new and existing clients.
Our advice for this holiday season: be exciting. Caterers at holiday parties have to compete with all of the other
memorable events in a very condensed week, so don't be afraid to be bold!
Cocktail hour is the perfect time for guests to mix and mingle while enjoying
delicious food, drinks, and entertainment. Over the past few years couples have
decided to add more interactive elements to their cocktail hour—and we love
all the wedding food station ideas, which allow guests to make their way
around the room and choose for themselves various delectable and
scrumptious items their hosts have planned for them.

Couples should work with their caterer, event designer or florist and stationer,
to create not just a delicious menu, but a beautiful display that complements
the rest of the wedding décor. The table style, linens, florals and signage for
your wedding food stations should all seamlessly mesh with the wedding’s look
and feel.

Here’s a list of 16 wedding food station ideas to add to your

cocktail hour menu.
Photo: Sam Stroud Photography

Cultural Food Stations

Couples often want to personalize their wedding menu with foods that
celebrate their backgrounds, or the fusion of both of their heritages. Or if you’re
having a destination wedding you’ll want to serve up local foods that highlight the

culture. Here are some cultural wedding food station ideas for your wedding.

Taco Bar
A taco bar can be interactive by allowing guests to build their own, but that
also leaves room for making a mess of their fancy duds. To help avoid any
fashion disasters you can have a server behind the table to help people create
their own tacos, or make sure that the toppings aren’t dripping with grease,
sauce or overly messy. You’ll need the basics: guacamole, pico de gallo,
cheese, lettuce, cilantro and beans. But then you can get creative with other
ingredients: shrimp, chicken, pork, beef, pickled cabbage, corn, rice, sour
cream and jalapeños.

Antipasto Bar
Celebrate one or both families’ Italian heritage with an antipasto bar. With a
mix of vegetables, meats and cheeses to choose from you’ll be able to create
a wide variety that will suit every appetite. Here are some yummy ideas to
consider: For meats opt for prosciutto, pepperoni and salami. Vegetables,
such as artichokes, asparagus, eggplant, peppers and tomatoes can be grilled
and/or marinated. Make sure to serve a range of cheeses – Drunken Goat,
Manchego, Gouda – and olives too. Breads can be toasted or not, but have a
few plain and flavorful options, such as garlic bread and focaccia.

Tapas Bar
Tapas bars have become very popular in the past few years, so if you and
your fiancé enjoy going to them create a tapas bar during your cocktail hour.
Include cheeses, fried olives, garlic shrimp, chorizo, empanadas and shots of
gazpacho in your Tapas Bar menu. You can also pair the menu with a
selection of Spanish wines.
Rustic Pizzas
A pasta station may sound and even look delicious, but it’s hard to eat
Spaghetti Bolognese or Fettuccini Alfredo neatly, especially when you’re
standing. Go for an Italian-inspired food station with a Rustic Pizza Bar. You
can serve up slices from a personal pizza (12” across) so it’s not a full meal
and much more manageable to enjoy while working the room. The pizzas can
range from classic Margherita to a white Bianca, and with an assortment of
toppings from vegetables to meats.
Photo: Chris J Evans Photography

Sushi Station
One of the most popular wedding food station ideas, you’ll find a sushi station
at almost any wedding, but have yours stands out by making it more
interactive than just picking out the pieces you want to eat. Ask your caterer if
you can have one or two sushi chefs behind the table making custom rolls for
those who don’t want the ones available. Popular sushi rolls to already have
made include: Alaska Roll, California Roll, Dragon Roll, Philadelphia Roll,
Rainbow Roll, Shrimp Tempura Roll and Vegetable Roll.

Mediterranean Bar
Who wouldn’t love a station filled with warm pita and spreads to dip them in?
Couples with Middle East or Greek backgrounds can serve a Mediterranean
Bar with a selection of spreads – hummus, baba ghanoush, labneh, cacik,
htipiti and ezme – olives, crostini with cheese and salads.

Asian Food Station

Asian foods can include a wide range of delicacies from China to Japan to
South Korea to Thailand. Depending on what country your menu is from
choose a variety of dishes, and make sure not everything is too hot and spicy.
For dishes that are, be sure they’re clearly labeled. Dim-sum style dishes that
are bite sized include: dumplings (vegetarian, pork, chicken or shrimp), spring
rolls, shrimp toast and chicken satay with peanut sauce on skewers.
Photo: Stephanie Hunter Photography

Regional Food Stations

Personalize your wedding with your favorite foods from home. Whatever region
of the country you’re from or getting married in you can include popular foods
and flavors from the area with unique wedding food station ideas.

Sushi Station

One of the most popular wedding food station ideas, you’ll find a sushi
station at almost any wedding, but have yours stands out by making it
more interactive than just picking out the pieces you want to eat. Ask
your caterer if you can have one or two sushi chefs behind the table
making custom rolls for those who don’t want the ones available.
Popular sushi rolls to already have made include: Alaska Roll, California
Roll, Dragon Roll, Philadelphia Roll, Rainbow Roll, Shrimp Tempura Roll
and Vegetable Roll.

Mediterranean Bar

Who wouldn’t love a station filled with warm pita and spreads to dip
them in? Couples with Middle East or Greek backgrounds can serve a
Mediterranean Bar with a selection of spreads – hummus, baba
ghanoush, labneh, cacik, htipiti and ezme – olives, crostini with cheese
and salads.

Asian Food Station

Asian foods can include a wide range of delicacies from China to Japan
to South Korea to Thailand. Depending on what country your menu is
from choose a variety of dishes, and make sure not everything is too hot
and spicy. For dishes that are, be sure they’re clearly labeled. Dim-sum
style dishes that are bite sized include: dumplings (vegetarian, pork,
chicken or shrimp), spring rolls, shrimp toast and chicken satay with
peanut sauce on skewers.

Photo: Jenny DeMarco Photography

Classic Food Stations

There are some wedding food station ideas that you can be sure everyone will
enjoy. Setting up one or more classic food stations will ensure that those
guests who don’t have adventurous taste buds will still find delicious options to eat
during your cocktail hour.

Raw Bar
A raw bar can be as elaborate as you want it to be based on your favorite
shellfish and your budget. Any combination of chilled lobster, crab legs,
shrimp, clams and oysters is acceptable for a raw bar, or you can limit the
selection to East Coast and West Coast oysters – plus lemon, cocktail sauce
and mignonette.

Cheese + Charcuterie Station

Curating an impeccable Cheese and Charcuterie Station is not as difficult as
you may think. Start with a selection cheese in a variety of textures – soft,
firm, aged and blue – and milks – cow, goat, sheep. For meats, you also want
a range of textures and flavors from smoky to dry-cured. Salami, prosciutto,
ham and duck are some of the meats to add to the platters. Once your cheese
and meat selects have been finalized, add some spreads (fig, honey,
mustards) and dried fruits, olives, cornichons and nuts.

Mac & Cheese Bar

Probably the yummiest of all comfort foods, a Mac & Cheese Bar may be the
most popular cocktail hour food station. In addition to cheddar cheese, you
can have mac n cheese at your wedding made with Gouda or Gruyere,
Monterey or Pepper Jack, Feta or Parmesan. Let guests customize their dish
with an assortment of toppings — bacon, broccoli, ham, jalapeños, lobster,
mushrooms and any other family favorites you’re sure they’ll enjoy.

Mashed Potato Bar

A bowl of mashed potatoes – white or sweet – can be the perfect warm
indulgence. Add some toppings – friend onions, brown sugar, sour cream,
chives, cheddar cheese and bacon – to mix in for bursts of flavor.

Photo: Abbey Lunt Photography

Kids at Heart

Whether or not you’re inviting kids to your wedding, there are plenty of adults who

enjoy kid-friendly food. Consider adding one of these childhood favorite

wedding food station ideas to your cocktail hour.
Pretzel Bar
You can have large soft pretzels or pretzel nuggets on display with plenty of
sauces to enhance their flavor. Mustards, melted cheese, BBQ sauce,
chipotle dip, Nutella, beer and cheddar dip are some tasty options.

Popcorn Station
Today you can find plenty of flavorful option for a bucket of popcorn. Set up a
Popcorn Station for guests to try all sorts of popcorn from classics like butter
and caramel to cheesy cheddars in yellow, white or jalapeño flavors to more
modern varieties like butterscotch and kettle corn. Work with your caterer and
stationer to create themed paper cup holders that complement the wedding’s
theme.

2019 Wedding Food Trends to Watch

By Stephanie WeersOctober 24, 2018

The 2019 wedding food trends are all about creating an incredible dining
experience with a menu that’s reflective of the couple themselves.
Djamel Wedding Photography

It’s no secret that food ranks as a major detail wedding guests really care
about, and couples tying the knot in 2019 understand that sentiment more
than ever. This year, couples not only want to wow the crowd with the top
2019 wedding food trends, including innovative eats and a personalized
menu, but they want to make the entire meal an experience in and of itself.

Ready to embrace your inner foodie for a culinary

adventure all your guests will love? We interviewed
some of the best caterers in the country and have the
full breakdown of the biggest 2019 wedding food
trends.
Kindred Weddings and Events
Service Styles

“Couples are looking for more interaction, more conversation, and more
engagement amongst their guests. Dinner is a chance to bring your friends
and loved ones around the table to truly share your experience, so we’ve seen
a shift toward less formal, more conversational seating and service styles,”
Joel Chaiken of Food for Thought in Lincolnwood, Illinois said. “Many of our
clients ask for tavern-style seating—either glammed up or farm style and
rustic—to bring guests closer and build a buzz of conversation. Settings like
these are perfect for family-style dinners and are ideal for the ever popular
farm-to-table menu.”

Global Fusion

According to Food for Thought, the 2019 wedding food trends will include an
uptick in couples looking to showcase the traditional dishes of each family’s
home country. “We’re really excited to see the emergence of
the multicultural menu. We’re seeing couples come together from completely
different parts of the globe—each with their own rich culinary traditions—
which can play out spectacularly in their menu requests,” Chaiken said.
“These menus serve as such a celebration of the couple’s family history, as
well as their journeys to that moment.”

Edible Favors

Move over, Jordan almonds because this year’s couples want to gift their
guests take-home bites that break the mold, according to Courtney Curry
of Fork & Flair Catering and Events in Minneapolis, Minnesota. From
homemade jams to gourmet desserts, “placing one food favor at each place
setting is an adorable way to make each guest feel welcome while giving your
guests a touch of something you love,” Curry said.
The Oaks Golf Course
Dessert Drama

Couples have seriously upped the ante when it comes to desserts, making
post-dinner sweets a talked-about event. “More and more we are seeing
couples shy away from the typical wedding cake and go for a more
memorable dessert presentation,” Jacqueline Matera of Ken’s Creative
Kitchen said. “We continue to see dessert installations like doughnut walls and
cupcake towers, pie and cookie tables, as well as unique plated options such
as strawberry shortcakes or chocolate tarts.”

Organic Everything

The experts at Capers Catering note that organic ingredients are here to stay
as couples continue to request in-season and ethically sourced food on the
plate of each guest. With the heightened awareness of sustainable
agriculture, couples care about where their food came from and are looking to
provide their guests with the freshest, farm-to-table experience possible.

Miniatures Galore

When it comes to cocktail hour, it’s all about the pint-sized presentation and
2019 wedding food trends include having more fun than ever with out-of-the-
box ideas, according to Ken’s Creative Kitchen in Annapolis, Maryland. From
grilled cheese and tomato soup in a shot glass to shrimp and grits in a tasting
spoon, no food experience is off-limits in miniature form.
Twelve Baskets Catering
The Late Night Hot Spot

While late-night snacks are nothing new at wedding receptions, 2019 wedding
food trends include more sophisticated requests. The typical sliders or pizza
are being replaced with unique eats that reflect the couple’s favorite comfort
foods.
“Couples want food from their favorite hang-out spots. Food that means
something to the couple more personally,” noted Kevin Marsland of Capers
Catering in Stoneham, Massachusetts.

Chaiken of Food for Thought agreed, adding, “given the access we have to
food from around the world, the opportunities are endless–think soup
dumplings, Roman pizza, ramen, and Nashville chicken sliders. Our clients
are looking to replicate their favorite night spot; the place they 'end up at' after
a night out or even the place where they enjoyed a first date. It’s a chance to
relive and share their unique moments with friends and family.”
10. Farm/estate-branded items
These are especially important to consumers who care about a connection to how food is grown and
processed. The desire for these quality foods continues to grow in popularity.

Credit source of info & images www.restaurant.org

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TOP 5 BEST CHEFS IN THE WORLD

1922

1. Hyper-local

More restaurants are serving these “foods grown, picked and processed on the premises. Why?
Consumers think local equals freshness.

2. Chef-driven fast-casual concepts

Culinary masters are making magic for the masses by serving up great meals that are fast,
convenient and affordable.

3. Natural ingredients/clean menus

Customers are eating more simply and healthfully when dining out. They want menu items made with
high-quality greens, grains and proteins, among other things. Restaurants who cater to their needs win
their loyalty and business.
4. Food waste reduction

Reducing food waste helps control food costs in the back of the house and protects the environment,
too. More restaurants are tracking usage, serving smaller portions and donating prepared items to food
banks. Diners also are excited to support these socially and environmentally responsible businesses.

5. Veggie-centric/vegetable-forward cuisine

As more consumers follow vegetarian and vegan diets, restaurants are expanding the complex, inventive
veggie-centric items on their menus. Think plant-based burgers and sushi that rival their beef and fish
counterparts.

6. Environmental sustainability

Diners say they’re interested in going to restaurants that protect the environment and conserve water
and energy. Those practices also help reduce operating and utility costs, so it’s a win for everyone.

7. Locally sourced meat and seafood

American diners increasingly say they want food raised or produced in their own region rather than
elsewhere, and restaurant companies are listening. They know consumers, especially millennials, want
to know everything about what they eat: where it comes from, how it’s made, even who produced the
protein on their plates.
8. Locally sourced produce

Consumers want to know where their food is grown and harvested. It’s about getting the freshest
produce possible – and they say they’re willing to pay more for it. They’re also happy to help local
farmers and purveyors grow their businesses, too.

9. Simplicity/back to basics

Simply put, back-to-basics cooking and classic dishes are hot. Stripping down recipes to fewer
ingredients and rejiggering traditional recipes for today’s tastes are whetting consumers’ appetites.

10. Farm/estate-branded items

These are especially important to consumers who care about a connection to how food is grown and
processed. The desire for these quality foods continues to grow in popularity.

Increasingly adventurous consumers, hungry for new discoveries and experiences with their food, are
influencing the future of the food and beverage industry.

Indeed, ‘The Adventurous Consumer’ has topped Innova Market Insights’ Top Ten trends for 2019.
This consumer subsection has evolved out of a more connected world which has allowed consumers of
all ages to become more knowledgeable of other cultures.

This has given rise the 35% growth of ‘discovery’ claims when compared to new product launch numbers
for 2016 and 2017.

Innova keeps its eye to global developments in the industry’s launch activity and analyses consumer
research to highlight the trends which will most likely impact the industry in the year to come.

The top five trends for 2019 are:

1 – Discovery: the Adventurous Consumer

The food and beverage industry is increasingly focusing on satisfying the adventurous consumer.

Consumers are moving out of their comfort zones to explore bolder flavours and multisensory food
experiences.

There is a focus on heightened sensory delivery, often combined with an element of the unexpected.

2 – The Plant Kingdom

The plant-based market shows no signs of slowing down. Companies and brands are greening up their
portfolios to attract mainstream consumers who want to add more plant-based options into their diets.

For many, going plant-based is about achieving a healthy and sustainable balance between meat and
vegetables, rather than adopting an all-or-nothing way of eating.
3 – Alternatives to All

As more consumers pay attention to health & sustainability, replacement foods and ingredients are on
the rise.

Health remains the number one reason to buy food alternatives, with one in two US consumers
reporting that health is a reason for buying alternatives to bread, meat or dairy.

The search for alternative proteins has resulted in a rising use of black beans, lentils, peas, rice, nuts &
seeds, chickpea, and even insects, as protein ingredients for foods.

4 – Green Appeal

The industry is increasingly committing to answering customer expectations around sustainability.

This is driving corporate goals, as manufacturers commit to sustainable product and packaging
development with a range of initiatives.

This includes waste reduction through upcycled ingredients and post-consumer recycling, as well as
improved biodegradability and new technology, such as compostable capsules and vegetable inks.

5 – Snacking: the Definitive Occasion

For most consumers, snacking is a part of daily life and always has been. What is changing, however, is
the way people think about snacking and what is considered a snack. Snacking is no longer the optional
extra, but the definitive occasion.

It is a central focus of innovation across all food and beverage categories, with 10% average annual
growth of global food and beverage launches with a snacking claim over the past 5 years.
The other top trends are:

6 – Eating for Me

7 – A Fresh Look at Fiber

8 – I Feel Good

9 – Small Player Mindset

10 – Connected to the Plate

Now on to Whole Foods' top 10 food trends:

Pacific Rim flavors is the top trend, with Whole Foods announcing that its Market and 365 Everyday
Value brands will launch a new line of products inspired by Pacific Rim fruits like a guava tropical
vinaigrette, pineapple passionfruit sparkling mineral water, mango pudding mix and passionfruit
coconut frozen fruit bars. It also expect to see ingredients like longganisa (a Filipino pork sausage), dried
shrimp, cuttlefish and shrimp paste to appear on restaurant and home menus in dishes from breakfast
to dinner.

Probiotics have been a trend for a few years now, but Whole Foods predicts they will expand beyond
the refrigerated section. New strains of probiotics, such as Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 and Bacillus
coagulans MTCC 5856, are making more shelf-stable applications possible and are starting to appear in
pantry staples like granola, oatmeal, nut butters, soups and nutrition bars.

Trend No. 3 tries to be a bit cute as Whole Foods call it Phat Fats, based on the growing popularity of
keto, paleo, grain-free and even “pegan” (paleo + vegan) diets. Pointing to a change in the consumers’
mindsets about fat, it predicts that higher-protein and lower-carb diets will continue and even expand to
new categories in the store, including nutrition bars, snacks of all kinds, vegan coffee drinks, coconut-
butter filled chocolates and even new flavors of ghee that range from sweet to savory. According to
these experts, fat will be back in a big way. Another one of its trends are new ice creams and frozen
desserts that have savory swirls of artisanal cheeses.
The top event trends for 2019

18 October 2018 - 0 Submitted by Stuart Wood

The meetings and events industry is ever-evolving, with innovations and advances coming from both
within, as well as outside the industry. But with so many exciting new trends, how can you spot the one
which is likely to have the most impact on your business and events? Four keynote speakers from the
upcoming IBTM World 2018 offer their thoughts on the top event trends for 2019.

Andy Johnston (top left), Business Development Director, Corporate & Events, PRG UK Ltd

“Using live video mapping and drone and camera technology which feed directly into media servers for
immersive presentations are set to become the next big things in event tech. These presentations can
completely surround audiences, or 270-degree presentations can also be used, to achieve an impressive
immersive effect.

“This tech turns passive spectators into participants in a speaker’s presentation. No longer are they
simply watching the presentation, instead they become part of it. So, it’s easy to see how the message
being delivered becomes so much more powerful when immersive technology is in use.”

Danny Stevens (top right), CEO, fielddrive

“In 2019 the main change will be the way in which event organisers manage event check-in using facial
recognition. Already this year we have noticed that event organisers are interested in this technology
and eager to try it out at many events. Facial recognition for events is the fastest check-in method. It’s
secure and it ‘wows’ attendees from the very beginning of the event. It minimises attendee actions in a
queue (for example looking for print-outs, or e-receipts on a phone) and is the best way to speed up
admission of attendees. No confirmation emails, tickets or barcode are needed. Attendees just smile at
a camera. Facial recognition technology has great development potential, and fielddrive is now
integrating facial recognition with HoloLens for further applications in security and access control.”

Corbin Ball (bottom left), Founder of Corbin Ball Associates and chair of IBTM World Tech Watch Award
judge’s panel

“I think that the top event technology trend for 2019 will be significant advances in data integration and
analytics from the event technology providers. Major player such as Cvent and Aventri are making
substantial advances in integrating their wide range of products, while smaller, cloud-based companies
are putting effort into interoperability and analytics with other event tech companies and with CRM
systems such as Salesforce. The result will be that the attendees likes/interests before, during and after
the event can be precisely quantified and then brought back into a customer/member record. On a
global basis, this can be used to improve future events and make mid-course corrections during existing
events. On an individual basis, this will lead to much better personalisation for marketing to an attendee
or for improving an association member’s event experiences.”

Ali Turner (bottom right), Managing Director of EIGHT PR & Marketing

“The theme for the IBTM World Trends Report 2018 is 'everything changes, everything stays the same'
and I believe it is one that will continue into 2019. One of the most interesting areas of global business,
and its interaction with the events industry, is the combination of major industries. A prime example of
this is FinTech, the combination of financial services and technology, but 2019 could see the
establishment of, for example, AutoTech, the move to digitised driving and transport, or PharmaTech,
where the Internet of Things meets self-diagnosis and treatment.

“As far as meetings and events are concerned, this is all good news; new industries create new events,
be they association, convention or congress; new products lead to new product launches, and we
continue to see our massive impact on the global Knowledge Economy that will support this
convergence. In short, if business is good, and dynamic, we'll do well."
Event Planning Trends for 2019

In the event planning industry, with its constantly shifting expectations, thinking ahead is an integral
part of your success. A seasoned event planner knows that looking forward is the best defense to
prepare in order to catch and embrace the waves of event planning trends coming at you. Of course,
planning events requires creativity and organization, but the ability to look into the future with an eye
on building from past events is where planners give their clients real value.

The event professionals at Omnience™ know from experience that using the data and information
available to them to create bigger and better events is a hallmark of smart, efficient event and meeting
marketing, design, and execution. This means staying on top of trends and using them with precision.
Here are some of the top trends you should be injecting in your events, and some tips for staying
relevant in this industry built on change.

Seamless Tech Integration

Woman using machine for check in the airport

Obviously incorporating technology into events isn’t anything new, but how guests expect to interact
with it is. Instead of occupying their attention, they expect AI to enhance their experience by solving
their problems. For any obstacle you have, from long lines at check-in stations to lags in speaker
translation, there is an answer in the right kind of technology—and guests know this. They expect their
needs to be met with the help of some high-tech strategic event planning that smoothly connect them
to your content.

Facial recognition software can make check-in a breeze, alleviating waiting around in lines and
increasing time with your sponsors. Give international guests the gift of easy translation with in-time
audio straight from their phones, allowing them to focus on your event speaker’s message as it unfolds.
Chatbots are increasingly showing up as an event planner’s best friend, since they can be programmed
for everything from following up on leads to customer service responses. We predict chatbots will
become even more integrated into event experiences, answering attendees’ questions at any point of
their event experience. Embracing these solutions connects your attendees with your event more
quickly and efficiently than ever before.

Location, Location, Location

Outdoors next to the barn Napa California

We have seen a rise in creative and offbeat event venues, and we predict this is one of the event
planning trends that will continue to grow. With a focus on creating memorable, interactive
experiences, meetings and events that choose venues beyond the standard will drive attendee
engagement. In the upcoming year, unconventional meeting and event venues will pique interest, build
buzz, and create unforgettable memories, which will translate into a huge return on investment if
executed correctly. From pop-ups in parking lots to luncheons in artist lofts, taking on the task of
transforming an unexpected space will add loads of value to your event.

Offline and Online Experiences Converge

Now that social media is a staple of meetings and events, the real work comes in creating powerful
experiences that work in tandem with a great social media campaign. Direct your creative energy
toward building truly memorable moments that organically lend themselves to snapping photos and
sharing the experience. It isn’t enough anymore to simply offer a step and repeat banner; develop
meaningful, surprising, beautiful, or even shocking experiences that your guests just can’t keep to
themselves, and they won’t!

You can’t simply leave these opportunities to chance, however, but rather employ some strategic event
planning and marketing. Identify these shareable moments and create some buzz. Push hashtags ahead
of time that builds the suspense, and contact industry-specific influencers to help your campaign. These
influencers, and even micro-influencers, can help you tap into what your attendees will share, which
means they are the ultimate resources for event planning trends.

Explicit Focus on Unique Voices and Messages

Businessman with virtual reality goggles

It is no longer enough to plan an event around a sales pitch or a stale message. More than ever,
attendees need to experience meaningful stories and take away valuable content. Whether you are
providing fresh educational resources or thought-leading subject matter, your event should offer
substantial value.
Corporate event attendees protect their assets, so getting them to dedicate themselves to your meeting
or event means providing something worth their time, money, and attention. Leaning on event
optimization tools to discover what your attendee demographic will respond to is a crucial factor in
planning ahead for success.

Tips for Planning Ahead

It isn’t helpful to harness trends for the next year if you aren’t working to optimize your upcoming
events. The best way to stay ahead of the game is to use what you have to inform your decisions for
next year. This means looking at your key performance indicators (KPIs) for guidance. Previously this
meant detailed data crunching across multiple platforms, but with event optimization tools like Ontrac™
you can see every point from all of your event management platforms on one screen. Use actionable
data points to plan your upcoming year, and learn from your hits and misses.

Contact Omnience™ for an in-depth look at how Ontrac™ and our event professionals can help you with
event optimization and strategic event planning for the upcoming year.