Top Trends in Event Planning: What Your Event Manager Needs to Know

Event Planners are the ultimate multitaskers. We have to be thinking both a year ahead and a single step in the most positive direction; we think about all of the intersecting stakeholder needs; we anticipate potential problems that would make most people shudder, and solve for them so they won’t happen (or worst case scenario, if they do, we are there with an immediate solution).

In 2025, there are so many things that we do not have previous experience in solving for, it’s extra challenging to keep up. Based on my reading, discussions with other professionals (hello Club Ichi!) and Client work, I’d make sure your event manager, event planning agency or events team are thinking about the following:

Watching the Effects of Tariffs

As discussed in my last blog post, your event planning team should be keeping an eye on the effect of tariffs that the United States is imposing on other countries and vice versa. From chocolate and wine to flowers, textiles and aluminum, there aren’t many aspects of the meeting and event planning industry that won’t be affected.

Continuously Cultivating New Relationships

Should your event planner have a pool of recommended vendors at the ready? Absolutely. Should that list include people who haven’t posted on their Instagram or worked in the business for half a decade? I’d venture to guess no. Your planner should have a core team, but always be willing to expand the possibilities and meet new vendors. Innovation should never remain stagnant.

Working with AI

AI is not going anywhere, and is applicable for everything from sponsorship solicitation to timeline creation. Your planner should be using it thoughtfully in balance with human-centered strategy and logistics support. Find your application and use it wisely!

Thinking Sustainably

While considering new innovations, make sure to evaluate ways to minimize the carbon footprint of your meeting. From group transportation, to scheduled volunteer hours, to donating excess food and beverage and choosing local options, make sure that you think about the impact on the planet.

Measuring Impact

While measuring the global impact of your event, your planner should also make sure they know what success looks like, and how that success will be measured and confirmed. Along the way, your planner should have milestone check-ins and ensure that goals are on track. Your event planning team should be measuring pre-event, during event and post-event, and have an agreed-upon format for reporting results.

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