To help solve the problem of reducing waste at conventions, it helps to examine what exactly that waste is and what’s happening to it.

Partnering with influencers can be a game-changer for a lot of reasons, from diversifying your audience to creating buzz about your event and increasing brand awareness, social media influencers have a lot of, well, influence, particularly among Gen Z and Millennial audiences.

As the association meetings industry steps into 2025, planners face a rapidly evolving landscape driven by technological innovation, shifting attendee expectations and a renewed focus on sustainability and accessibility.

Many of the challenges association planners face today stem from continued issues related to the travel industry, ranging from high costs of hotels and flights to obstacles for international attendees getting timely visas to the U.S.

From collecting and sharing testimonials to leveraging social media for promotional purposes to sharing post-event content, planners can utilize a wealth of techniques to take an event’s reach to the next level.

Confidence among meeting professionals is notably stronger this year than last, according to Michelle Mason, president and CEO, ASAE, the center for association leadership.

Optimism reigned in 2022, as in-person meetings and events again took their place as the preferred method to network and learn. While hybrid and virtual meetings serve their own purpose, everyone agrees that nothing can replace face-to-face gatherings.

While banquet-style soirees with featured speakers and networking social hours are a traditional approach that is well-received, more of today’s events are teeming with technological advancements and interactive opportunities that are simply awe-inspiring.

A significant benefit of introducing wellness programs into events is improving attendees’ experiences by stimulating their mental and physical health.

Many association meetings experts were optimistic that 2021 would see things improve quickly after a dismal 2020. But two COVID-19 variants put a damper on the recovery.