



New trends will create loads of opportunities to connect, innovate, and inspire at your next event. Here are the big industry trends you can expect to see this year in 2019.
In 2019, weāre seeing a shift to even more interactivity in events: think active over passive, and from static to dynamic.
In a development thatās absolutely shocking to no one whoās ever sat in a boring lecture hall, event planners have discovered that people like doing things. When a guest is kind enough to commit their time to your event, they want to participate in creating an experience. And in 2019, people want this experience even more.
Creating interactive events not only entertains your guests, but it gives you the opportunity to forge long-lasting memories and customer relationships. People remember experiences. And thatās what event attendees (most notably, millennials) want: experiences.
Your event is an opportunity to engage with your customers in real time- forging connections and creating intrinsically valuable experiences and forging real, meaningful connections. That goes farther than any marketing campaign ever can.
The term ādigitalā has long-past become ubiquitous. Digital features are just features. That being said, many private or small business events have been slow to fully utilize the potential of digital integration. Whatever happens at your event, itās going to be photographed, recorded, and shared. In 2019, as in 2018, weāll see increased integration of marketing with social media and the tools digital provides us.
On-demand Snapchat Geofilters or augmented reality filters are relatively inexpensive and encourage guests to participate in your event. Photo staging backgrounds for guests to take photos for their personal social media are also popular (and, again, relatively low-cost). Guests want to create their own memories- help them out.
If youāre hosting a wedding, impress your guests by turning that old-school bulletin digital. Apps could feature seating charts, course menus, check-in or digital guestbooks, maps, FAQ, vendor listings, or even social media integration.
Digital event features make it easy to impress, but they also play into the next big trend weāll see in 2019: custom everything and openness.
Creating an interactive event makes your guests feel important, and custom everything plays into this- even down to the atmosphere created by your layout. Features like social furniture, crowd-responsive lighting, and open lounge spaces will be big in 2019. Again, weāre shifting from static to dynamic. It sounds kitschy, but the right furniture and layout design truly create an atmosphere that no playlist, menu, or app ever could. Weāll see a lot more focus on utility, versatility, and guest comfort.
People like the feeling that they have choices and can direct their own experiences. Youād be surprised at the difference the right event layout creates. Speaking of design, not everything is getting a futuristic upgrade.
While retroās been a persistent design trend for most of 2018, experts predict that throwback-inspired decor is not over- yet. Instead, designers will use its classic appeal to create new takes on modern design.
āRetro is art nouveau, itās art deco, itās minimalist, itās hippie chic, itās Hollywood glamāitās everything,ā says L.A.-based design marketer Michael Zimmerman. āI think the retro vibe is going to carry over.ā1
This could mean new takes on how we think of retro, with
Think texture, contrast, and sharp lines. āRich velvets and suedes,ā event manager Kristen Rollins
2
Speaking of retro chic, rental furniture will roll back the clock even further with mid-century, 1950s-era style furniture pieces making a comeback at events.
āMid-century styling is emerging as the go-to for rental furniture… and seating… favoring clean lines, bold colors and a lower profile,ā predicts Minnesota-based design strategist Sheree Bochenek3
Since most major events rely heavily on rentals, these specialty pieces such as traditional-modern table rentals and lounge decor could see the industry play a vital role in the age of Instagram (and no, weāre not just saying that).
Creative use of lighting is one of the event designersā oldest tricks. In 2019, youāll see even more audience-focused event lighting uses. Creating areas with crowd-responsive LED lights, whether you choose a dance floor or a gazebo, can ignite the senses of your guests and go a long way in delivering a memorable experience. While crowd-responsive lighting was once a feature reserved only for art displays and large concerts, weāre seeing more and more use of it at events from conferences to wedding receptions. Responsive lighting coupled with the right layout creates an atmosphere thatās not only invigorating to the senses but virtually impossible to forget.
Yes, going green was already a popular vibe. But ethically-sourced goods, locally grown foods, and cruelty-free or environmentally low-impact status will continue to be a symbol of quality, class, and, well- being a decent human being. The eco-conscious 2018 Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who requested donations to favorite nonprofits in lieu of wedding gifts, set the tone for a new wave in high-profile social responsibility.
With consumers becoming consistently savvy and businesses more accountable, sustainability is definitely on companiesā radar. As Michelle Oliver of Mars Corporation recently said at last yearās Cannes Lions panel, āIt is just business common sense for a company to want to be here on a sustainable planet, in a sustainable way.ā
4 Additionally, tying sustainability into your event makes your guests feel like theyāre part of something positive. We all know that party rental items are one of the most sustainable things you can add to your event. And at an event, you have everyoneās focus and attention: why not use it do good whenever you can
Peerless Events and Tents will help you bring your design dreams to life. Contact one of our helpful representatives, or browse our online party rental inventory to start planning your next event today.