The conference scene in the Philippines is evolving. This year we glimpse what will come and dominate the conference management in the Philippines for the coming year. Here are the trends to watch:
- Sustainability at the Forefront
Global warming is changing the way we live and do business. The calamities are getting worse and bigger. One solution is adherence to the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).
In conferences, we can implement practices that promote UNSDG and help reduce carbon footprints.
In addition, we can support and partner with companies and suppliers that are also advocating for sustainability.
Sustainability will be one of the critical success factors in conferences this coming year.
2. Hybrid Events Becoming the Norm
Hybrid conferences – combining in-person and virtual attendees will remain popular.
It is affordable and promotes sustainability.
There will be better technology creating immersive experiences for virtual participants that equal attending in-person.
3. Wellness-Centric Conferences
Mental health and wellness will take center stage. A lot has something to do with eliminating death-by-seating and conference fatigue.
Conference organizers and managers will create wellness zones, mindfulness sessions, and balanced schedules to prioritize attendees’ well-being.
It will provide enrichment not only for the attendees’ minds but also for their overall well-being.
Artificial Intelligence will redefine how conferences engage attendees. From personalized agendas to AI chatbots providing real-time assistance, events will leverage AI to enhance user experiences and streamline operations.
During MICECON 2024 in Clark, the conference leveraged AI technology to provide real-time summaries of each speaker’s presentations, enhancing attendee engagement and understanding.
This will be commonplace next year.
5. Edutainment – Mix of Education and Entertainment Dominate Conferences
Edutainment—mixing learning with entertainment—will dominate. Attendees will expect engaging content delivery, such as TED-style talks, live performances, or interactive panels.
This isn’t a new concept, but it highlights the growing need to inspire rather than simply educate attendees who may feel overwhelmed, multitasking, or even obligated to attend your conference.
Attendees crave a breath of fresh air—a rejuvenating experience that breaks the monotony. As a conference organizer or manager in the Philippines, one of your primary goals should be to infuse your event with “oxygen” through engaging edutainment.
This approach not only revitalizes your audience but also ensures they return to their offices reenergized and motivated.
In Conclusion
As a Conference Organizer or Manager in the Philippines, you need to make sustainability your main priority, accept that hybrid conferences are a way of life, ensure that you have wellness areas or part of your conference design, maximize AI to engage your attendees, and make an edutaining conference that attendees will rave even months after attending your conferences.