Corporate Event Trends 2024-2025
by Cat Preston
In 2024, the UK’s corporate events landscape is positively pulsating with vitality and fresh concepts. After a series of trials and reinventions, businesses are elevating their approach, orchestrating events that feel invigorating, inspiring and significant. This year, the spotlight is on innovation, sustainability, and fostering connections that truly count.
Here are some key elements we believe are moulding the UK’s corporate events sector, and how businesses are leveraging events to create a profound impact…
Experiential
Truth be told, teams have grown weary of predictable events. In 2024, UK companies have been discarding the old script. Events are evolving into experiences, fusing enjoyment, learning and inspiration. By incorporating technology and AI at exhibitions, or orchestrating team-building days that feel more akin to adventure escapes than antiquated workshops, corporate events have transformed into spaces where attendees don’t merely observe and listen, but actively participate, connect and depart with stories they’re eager to recount.
Sustainability
Sustainability is no longer an afterthought, it’s at the core of event planning in the UK. From small enterprises to large corporations, everyone is enhancing their green credentials. Picture zero-waste catering, reusable lanyards, venues powered by renewable energy, and more. Certain clients have concentrated on using local suppliers to reduce emissions, and many events now provide carbon offset options as standard. The objective is to make a significant impact on attendees, not the environment.
Personalisation
Personalised experiences within the corporate events sector are becoming the norm, it’s all about making attendees feel recognised and appreciated. Aspects such as more tailored itineraries, customised event gift bags, and even personally curated food options for delegates are becoming commonplace. After all, who doesn’t appreciate feeling like the event was specifically designed for them
Wellness
Achieving balance is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. Clients are integrating wellbeing into every event. From yoga sessions during conference intermissions to wholesome, locally sourced catering, the emphasis is on ensuring your attendees feel rejuvenated, not exhausted. Corporate retreats, in particular, are gaining momentum with a focused wellness-first strategy. Visualise a weekend in the serene Cotswolds countryside, with team workshops balanced by mindfulness sessions and countryside strolls. The trend is veering towards more ‘me / free time’, while still maintaining the thrill and inspiration of core group experiences. It’s evidence that productivity and relaxation can coexist!
The Future…
Throughout this year, the corporate events scene has become more imaginative, inclusive, and purpose-driven than ever before. Companies are stepping up, transforming events into powerful platforms for building connections, igniting fresh ideas, and leaving an indelible imprint. This isn’t merely about organising events; it’s about crafting moments that inspire and persist long after the return to the office. Here’s to a more vibrant, audacious future for corporate events into 2025 and beyond!