​What will the event industry be like in 20 years?

After recently reading a book by Alec Ross "The Industries of the Future", it spurred me to contemplate what our industry would look like in 20 years. While the book focuses more on robotics, commercialization of genomics, efficiencies in agriculture, cyber security and emerging markets, it directly relates to nearly every field of business.  

As an Atlanta event management professional, you’ve got to always be ahead of the curve. Having an idea as to the direction of the industry will help you stay relevant and enjoy years of success. So, what can we expect from the event industry over the next two decades?  
 
If you’re always focused on the next big thing as an event planner, you are risking missing the signs of the true trajectory of the industry. Yes, having access to and using the latest event technology is helpful, but you shouldn’t forsake the knowledge of why that technology is useful.
 
Let’s consider the use of technology in the event planning process. Social media plays a big role these days – event designers use it to keep clients aware of the progress on their event design and production, marketing, retention purposes and so much more.
 
Reflecting on the future of the event industry, you’ve got to recognize that every great event begins and ends with the audience. As an event designer, you’ve got to understand what excites people and how to engage them. Set the bar high. Remember, however, that you also have to take the time to figure out what technologies can support your vision and achieve your goals.
 
The thing is, technology won’t ever make a bad event great. You still need to work hard at creating a solid theme and executing your design. However, technology does allow for endless opportunities for creative problem solving and improving on your hard work.
 
Event planning is part of the much larger service industry, so the role of the consumer is a fundamental one. However, thanks to technology and today’s global hyper-connectivity, this role is even larger than ever before. This connectivity allows for an emotional connection among attendees and a sense of community.
 
The future is about ensuring the relationship with attendees and clients, which keeps the event industry moving forward.