Whether you're planning a high-level innovation summit or a hybrid thought leadership series, here are the top technology trends that are transforming how events are designed, delivered, and remembered. 

1. Hybrid Isn’t a Trend — It’s a New Default 

What started as a pandemic workaround has become an expectation. Hybrid events give organizers global reach without losing the magic of face-to-face connection. 

From virtual reality networking lounges to livestreams with interactive Q&A, technology now allows for dual experiences that feel equally premium.  If your AV team starts speaking in Twitch streamer slang, just nod — they’re building you a global audience. 

Innovator: Hopin 

Hopin rose to prominence by enabling hybrid and virtual events with interactive stages, breakout rooms, and audience engagement tools — all in one slick platform. They made it feel less like a webinar… and more like a global happening. 

Hopin is redefining what virtual and hybrid events can feel like — and no, it’s not just another Zoom link with a logo. Their all-in-one platform makes planning, promoting, and running events smooth for organizers and genuinely engaging for attendees. The real magic? Hopin recreates the energy of in-person experiences with interactive stages, networking lounges, and expo areas — all while delivering the global reach and flexibility only the digital world can offer.  

Pro tip: Still keep snacks on hand for your in-person attendees. Hopin hasn’t cracked digital catering. Yet. 

2. AI Is Your New (and Surprisingly Polite) Assistant 

Need help finding the right venue, predicting attendance, or personalizing agendas for each attendee? AI is quietly becoming the event planner’s secret weapon. 

It can analyze past data, optimize schedules, and even write session summaries.  Just don’t ask it to help you choose the wine pairing.  

Innovator: Bizzabo 

Bizzabo uses AI and machine learning to personalize agendas, match attendees for networking, and deliver real-time event recommendations. It’s like having a hyper-intelligent intern who never needs coffee breaks. 

Bizzabo is giving event organizers their time (and sanity) back with a platform that brings everything under one roof. From building sleek event websites to handling registration, streaming, mobile apps, and networking — it’s all there, minus the tab overload. Whether you're planning in-person, virtual, or hybrid experiences, Bizzabo keeps things intuitive and insight-driven. And with powerful analytics baked in, it helps prove what every planner already knows: great events drive serious ROI.

Bonus: It learns from every event to improve your next one — no awkward performance reviews required. 

3. Immersive Tech Is the New Icebreaker 

3D mapping, holograms, augmented reality product demos — the best events now blend storytelling with spectacle. 

Guests no longer want to sit through 40-slide decks. They want to experience innovation firsthand. 

Whether you're showcasing a new product or transporting guests to a different era, immersive tech can turn another keynote into something unforgettable. 

Innovator: Prismm   

Prismm’s EXVO platform creates 3D, browser-based virtual venues that mimic real-life spaces — including avatars, networking areas, and interactive booths. It’s like The Sims… if your Sims worked in event marketing. 

Prismm is bringing serious style (and smarts) to event planning with its spatial design tech. Their platform lets organizers create digital twins of venues, offering immersive 3D walkthroughs and real-time layout changes — long before anyone sets foot on site. By centralizing everything from design to marketing in one sleek workspace, Prismm is making planning faster, collaboration smoother, and guest experiences way more impressive.

4. Data, But Make It Elegant 

Gone are the days when post-event data meant a half-hearted survey and a guess at headcount. 

Today, platforms deliver real-time analytics: session engagement, dwell time, networking interactions — all wrapped in sleek dashboards. Smart organizers use this data not just to measure success, but to shape smarter events moving forward. 

Innovator: Splash

Splash helps companies design, execute, and measure event marketing with beautiful design tools and granular data. Think Google Analytics meets Canva — but for your event strategy. 

Splash is shaking up event planning by turning it into a true growth engine. Its all-in-one platform helps teams market, manage, and measure events — whether in-person, virtual, or hybrid — with style and precision. With predictive AI built in, Splash keeps events on-brand, on time, and full of actionable insights. And with more marketers leaning into event-led growth, Splash isn’t just streamlining logistics — it’s proving that great events can drive real business impact.

Now you can see what worked — not just feel it in your gut. 

5. Touchless Everything 

Check-in kiosks, facial recognition, cashless payments, and digital swag bags — the contactless trend is still going strong. 

Yes, it’s about hygiene. But it’s also about frictionless convenience. 

Innovator: Zenus 

Zenus specializes in AI-powered facial recognition for event check-in — fast, secure, and impressively James Bond-like. Their privacy-first approach makes it suitable even for high-stakes corporate gatherings. 

Zenus is quietly making event analytics way smarter — and a lot less creepy. Their ethical AI-powered Smart Cameras read the room (literally), capturing real-time insights on attendee sentiment, engagement, and even demographics. By blending facial analysis with badge scanning, they give organizers a clear, data-backed picture of what’s working and what’s not. The result? Sharper decisions, smoother events, and ROI you can actually prove — all without ever handing out a feedback form.

6. Sustainability Tech Is More Than a Buzzword 

Carbon tracking apps, digital agendas, virtual gifting, and AI-optimized transportation — technology is helping events reduce their environmental footprint in measurable ways. 

Expect attendees (and your sponsors) to increasingly ask, “What’s the carbon impact of this?” 

Innovator: TRACE by isla 

TRACE is a digital tool helping event organizers measure and manage carbon emissions — from travel and materials to catering and energy use. It's like a Fitbit for your event’s environmental impact. 

TRACE by isla is bringing sustainability front and center in the events world — and not just as a buzzword. This platform gives organizers the tools to measure and reduce their event’s carbon footprint in real time, whether it’s live, hybrid, or fully digital. Think of it as your climate-conscious co-pilot, offering clear, actionable insights and tracking impact over time — no sustainability consultant required. With features like supplier collaboration and Scope 3 tracking, TRACE helps events take measurable steps toward net-zero, while also engaging stakeholders every step of the way. They even teamed up with IMEX to offer a free starter pack, because greener events should be within everyone’s reach.

7. Personalization Is the New Luxury 

From AI-curated agendas to networking suggestions based on LinkedIn profiles, personalization tools are making events feel tailor-made. 

Attendees don’t want more content. They want the right content, at the right moment, in the right format. 

Think Spotify Wrapped, but for your annual conference. 

Innovator: Grip 

Grip is an AI-powered matchmaking platform that personalizes attendee connections based on behavior, interests, and goals. It’s not just networking — it’s intelligent relationship building. 

Grip isn’t just helping people network at events — it’s helping them connect with purpose. Their AI-powered platform is built for one thing: turning handshakes (virtual or otherwise) into business outcomes. From smart matchmaking that actually works to tools like MustMeet, which lets organizers schedule and monetize buyer-supplier meetings, Grip focuses on creating high-value connections that drive revenue.

It’s not just a networking app with a glossy UI — it’s a full event engine, covering registration, badging, and hybrid experiences across channels. Plus, with flexible integrations and a sharp focus on long-term business relationships, Grip isn’t trying to replace your tech stack — it’s here to make it smarter. No more awkward small talk. Just smart introductions. 

So, What’s Next? 

Event tech is no longer just an operational support layer — it’s a strategic differentiator. The tools and platforms you use can shape attendee experience, maximize ROI, and reinforce your brand’s position as a forward-thinking leader. 

That said, even with all this innovation, some truths remain: 

😋 Good coffee still matters. 

🤔 Wi-Fi is never quite strong enough. 

😅 And yes, someone will still forget to mute themselves on Zoom. 

Ready to level up your event strategy? 

Whether you’re hosting an intimate leadership retreat or a global hybrid conference, the right tech stack can transform your next event from logistical success to strategic triumph. 

Disclaimer: This article was researched, written, and orchestrated by a real human from the Supertrends team, with AI playing the role of helpful event assistant (minus the badge). While no algorithms attended the event, they did help us organize the content, keep the schedule tight, and avoid running over time (for once).