Event technology is evolving beyond screens, sound and
staging to play a more strategic role in event design, according to an AV trends review.
While technology plays an important role in event delivery,
it is now there to support the experience delegates encounter when they attend
the event, says Lisa Tyson, deputy managing director at Aztec Event Services.
“The events that are succeeding today are creating
experiences people simply can't get anywhere else," she said. "Technology plays an
important role in that, but only when it's used to support a much bigger story
about connection, engagement and community."
This shift to experience-led event design, instead of
technology-led planning is one of five trends highlighted in the AV Trends
Review 2026, created by Aztec Event Services and Olympia Events.
The review also predicts:
- The rise of personalisation services, such as multilingual
captioning and translation tools, personalised content pathways and anonymous
Q&A platforms.
- Events becoming content engines, rather than one-off
experiences, with content, like podcasts, videos and live streaming becoming
more widespread.
- Events delivering something delegates can’t
receive at home. The emphasis will move away from providing information to focus
on how events make people feel, using immersive production, curated networking
opportunities and stronger storytelling.
- Sustainability fatigue. The review found that
new events and organisers were more environmentally minded, but more established
events were finding it harder to catch up. However, there is a growing demand
for reusable scenic solutions, modular graphics and longer-life production
assets that reduce waste while delivering greater ROI. “Sustainability is
becoming less of a differentiator and more of a baseline expectation. The focus
is shifting towards smarter infrastructure, reusable solutions and reducing
unnecessary duplication," said Richard Harris, technology director at Olympia
Events.
The review also highlights two
challenges for AV operators: The impact of AI on events, and shorter build
times putting pressure on production.
“AI will ultimately become a valuable
operational and accessibility tool, particularly around translation, content
management and personalisation, but there is currently a danger that some
businesses are adopting and promoting their use of AI simply because it sounds
innovative. Is it really enhancing the user experience or are you chasing it
because you’ve heard about it and it sounds exciting?” said Tyson.
The review concludes with five forecasts for the year ahead,
covering everything from AI adoption and accessibility to changing audience
behaviour, production pressures and the continued evolution of experience-led
events.
Harris said: “Technology should enable great events rather
than become the focus of them. The most successful organisers are thinking
beyond equipment and looking at how technology can create more seamless,
personalised and engaging experiences for attendees”
Download
the full review here.
