Staying up-to-date in any field is important; in event planning, it’s nothing short of critical. No one wants to attend an event where they see the “same old stuff”. Innovation is your friend in event planning and here we’ve curated the top trends in the industry for 2017.
Culinary Trends are Front and Center
Everyone needs to eat, and the cuisine at your event can make or break it. The emerging culinary trends for 2017 are as
varied as the events they’ll be seen at.
From ethnic foods to brightly colored beverages that follow the event branding, there are lots of choices. There’s even a twist on the ubiquitous hamburger to spice your event.
But, according to the National Restaurant Association, the real trend is ethnic—from the food itself, to the condiments served with it. However, the advice isn’t without some caution with the NRA saying:
“…if your audience is not very adventurous, proceed slowly. Introduce a couple of hors d’oeuvres with ethnically inspired seasoning at one gathering. If your group receives this well, test out an appetizer at another event before selecting authentic ethnic main courses for future conferences.”
http://meetingsnet.com/food-beverage/5-hot-culinary-trends-2017
Connectivity: You Know How Much It Means
Attendees at your events expect to be connected at all times. And really, it isn’t a luxury anymore: it may be the only way they can get away from the office to attend.
The experts at Bizbash have crafted a checklist to make sure no aspect of connectivity gets overlooked at your event. And it’s not just so that your guests can conduct business at the event, its benefit extends to marketing too:
“…a reliable Internet connection enables and encourages guests to amplify an event’s message on social media…”
http://www.bizbash.com/checklist-7-ways-to-ensure-wi-fi-connectivity-at-events/new-york/story/33281
The User Experience (UX) is More Critical than Ever
We all know that the experience that attendees have plays a huge role in whether or not they will return next year. And the UX isn’t just one thing; it ranges from the event website and branding to the invitations and décor.
For the Awakenings Festival, organizers designed a website described as:
“…bold, stylish and easy to use, Awakenings offers tickets, photos, merchandise, hotel deals and information for their events in a stunning and easy to use online package. Achingly cool and to the point.”
http://www.eventmanagerblog.com/beautiful-user-experience-in-events
It’s Always Important: Security for Your Event
Security for your event, perhaps an afterthought in years past, is a prime consideration now and becoming more important all the time. Truly no event planner wants to think about the worst; but you must plan for it.
Recent events, including a deadly fire at an event in Oakland, have put event security at the top of the list. At the top of his list of 6 tips, professional event planner Dan McCarthy says the venue itself is key. He notes that event professionals should:
“…ask the venue administrator for records of the last fire and earthquake inspection…know where all the exits are. Can those doors be opened from the outside? Is there furniture or other equipment blocking emergency exit doors?
…know if fire extinguishers are located throughout the facility
…know that there is a clear path outside the venue designated for emergency vehicles
…assure that the venue accommodate the expected turnout? Exceeding the maximum occupancy limit can become a fire hazard.”
http://techsytalk.com/tips-to-ensure-security-at-your-events-by-dancarthy2/
The Color of the Year for 2017: Green
Green is always a popular color, especially for springtime events, and the color experts at Pantone have chosen a shade called greenery as the shade of the year for 2017.
Described by Pantone as a “fresh and zesty” shade, greenery is showing up everywhere. From the VISA lounge at the Rio Olympics to several events at the Coachella Festival, you couldn’t miss the use of greenery.
Pantone describes the shade as evoking:
“…the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore, and renew. Illustrative of flourishing foliage and the lushness of the great outdoors, the fortifying attributes of Greenery signals consumers to take a deep breath, oxygenate, and reinvigorate.”
Follow the link for 12 great ways the hue was integrated into popular events.
http://www.bizbash.com/pantones-color-of-the-year-2017-12-ideas-for-using-greenery-at-events/new-york/story/33267#.WFGTrPkrLIU
And as you plan your events for 2017, don’t forget the most basic of needs: a nice ‘place to go’. The professionals at Luxury Restroom Trailers have you covered with the Northwest’s largest selection of event restrooms, the largest service area, and the both the area’s only 8-stall model and the area’s only truly ADA-compliant restrooms. Give us a call today for your next event!