Event Trends for 2026

We are heading into 2026 and events are continuously evolving and we are looking at event trends for 2026.

While uncertainty has become the new normal – tight budgets, rising costs, and the pressure to deliver more with less we think there’s genuine optimism in the air as we head into the New Year.

Clients who were postponing decisions or waiting for the UK budget actually made decisions in December 2025 to go ahead with their Q1 events. Usually December is quiet for decision making, so we were pleased to see this. Two of our clients, one long standing and a newer client we first worked with in October 2025, confirmed their 2026 events.  

At Autumn Live we are still seeing smart strategies that put human connection and meaningful impact at the heart of everything we do. We know people like to connect in person. The team are looking forward to much more of it.

This is what we’re thinking about event trends for 2026…

If 2026 has one golden rule, it’s this: stay flexible. The most successful events will be those that build in flexibility from the start. We’re seeing both smaller, frequent gatherings that respond to remote and hybrid working patterns, alongside annual or flagship conferences.

We need to make sure when we are negotiating supplier contracts we have built-in flex, working creatively with suppliers, and staying calm when programmes change dramatically because, as we know, they will! Agencies and in-house teams that embrace agile thinking will thrive. It’s about being prepared for the unexpected and having the processes in place to pivot quickly.

With budgets unlikely to stretch much further, we think clients will be moving towards fewer events, but better ones. Smaller guest lists, more intentional agendas, and experiences that truly deliver value. These are some of our big changes to look out for in event trends.

This shift means we need to be strategic about what stays and what goes. We might see greater consolidation with fewer meetings and higher average spend per event – as organisations focus their resources on client-facing experiences that directly impact the bottom line. We saw last year some clients who focused only on events that directly impacted sales, and all other events were put on hold.

For venues and suppliers, and us as agencies, this is an opportunity to demonstrate quality, reliability and flourish in our creativity.

We’ve all felt a bit of AI overwhelm, but for  2026, AI is no longer something we’re experimenting with. AI is a practical tool that’s genuinely making our lives easier. From scheduling and drafting to translation and admin, AI is handling the sensible stuff brilliantly.

The real power lies in how it supports creativity driven by humans. Whether you’re using it to analyse post-event data, generate content variations, or manage attendee queries (we’re seeing chatbots successfully answer 95% of questions), AI is becoming an essential part of the toolkit. Staff shortages are driving rapid uptake. With increasingly personalised, more capable AI tools will be able to transform how events are planned, executed, and experienced.

Attendees expect experiences tailored to them. Thanks to AI and smarter data use, we can now deliver networking recommendations, curated session suggestions, and personalised event summaries. All these smart tools can make each person’s journey unique. It’s about making everyone feel seen and valued, not just part of a crowd.

With 40% of attendees now actively demanding visible sustainability measures, this isn’t a nice to have bolt on. Find out how to make your winter events more sustainable. https://autumnlive.co.uk/sustainability-winter-events/

Demand for plant-based menu, local sourcing and tracking carbon emissions, sustainable choices often align with cost savings too. It’s a win-win that demonstrates value while having less impact on the planet.

As we look towards event trends for 2026, the key to success lies in staying flexible, being intentional about quality, embracing the right technology, and never losing sight of why we gather people together in the first place. We gather to create genuine connection and enjoy shared experiences that matter.