2025 Event Technology Trends On Demand
M&IW recently hosted our first LinkedIn Live event: 2025 Event Technology Trends. Hosts Chip Begley, Director of Event Technology, and Anca Platon Trifan, CMP, WMEP, Sr. Manager of Strategic Partnerships, Event Technology, unpacked the key event technology trends for 2025, sharing practical examples, tips, and strategies to help you integrate these tools into your events while keeping human connection at the forefront.
Watch the full event on demand below or keep reading for an overview of each trend and pro tips for integrating them into your event strategy.
Event Technology Trends and How to Use Them in Your Events
Personalization at Scale with AI
Thanks to the advancements of AI in event technology, platforms can now personalize agendas based on attendee preferences. During registration, attendees must answer a series of questions such as job title, areas of interest, preferred session format, and more. AI then proposes an agenda with certain sessions selected based on these responses.
Personalization isn’t just about offering convenience; it’s about making attendees feel seen, valued, and understood. While they should still have the option to reject the AI agenda and create their own, having personalization available increases their engagement and empowers them to contribute to the event’s success.
Pro Tip: Start small by personalizing key sessions or networking recommendations to demonstrate value without overwhelming your team.
Networking Lounges and AI Matchmaking
Networking is the heartbeat of most events, and getting matchmaking right is essential for maximizing its value. In the past, we’ve used registration data and attendee tags to create matches, which worked well, but it only scratched the surface. This brings us to the second event technology trend: AI matchmaking.
From the attendee perspective, AI matchmaking reduces the amount of time spent wondering where to go or who to talk to. It matches them to sponsors, exhibitors, and even other attendees who share their goals and interests or can support their unique needs. This is a win for everyone because it results in smarter, stronger relationships that last beyond the event. For sponsors and exhibitors especially, matchmaking tools can help prove the event ROI with a list of qualified leads.
Networking lounges are an important part of matchmaking because they provide a designated space for attendees to meet. It shows that these connections are an encouraged part of the event. In fact, networking is at the heart of most events; AI just takes it to the next level.
Pro Tip: Pair AI-driven matchmaking with a well-designed networking lounge for both structure and serendipity.
AI Chatbots for Registration and Engagement
This is an example of when a trend may not be the right fit for your brand. AI chatbots are becoming increasingly common, especially for registration websites. There’s a good reason for that: They can answer questions, guide attendees through the process, and are available 24/7. They also benefit planners—if chatbots can take away repetitive tasks like answering simple questions via email, planners have more time for creativity and strategy.
However, chatbots should always complement, not replace, the human touch. Registration is often the first touchpoint for an event. Connecting with another person builds more trust for attendees, and you don’t want them to end up begging the chatbot to speak to a representative. Send a personalized registration invitation to maintain a more personalized approach, and if you choose to use a chatbot, be sure to find the right balance between AI and human support.
Pro Tip: Use chatbots to handle routine questions but have a human-based alternative, like an email address or phone number, for escalations to ensure a positive attendee experience.
Data Analysis: Turning Metrics into Action
Event technology collects so much data—use it to your advantage! There are many ways to turn event data into actionable insights. You can use a heat map to show the most- and least-visited exhibitor booths; this helps prove ROI to exhibitors and can be useful when planning the show flow for future events. Real-time data on session attendance can show you which sessions are underattended; you can then send targeted notifications to specific attendees in the event app to encourage greater attendance.
What data you collect and how you use it will depend on your event objectives and organizational goals. However, for data that relies on attendee feedback, be sure to collect it as soon as possible. An in-app survey immediately following a session is better than a full-event survey sent days later because the session is fresher in attendees’ minds. Also, ensure surveys include comment boxes, not just ratings, so attendees can provide more specific feedback.
Pro Tip: The earlier you integrate data tools into your planning process, the more impact they’ll have on decision making.
Sustainability with a Tech Twist
Event technology supports event sustainability in many ways. For example, M&IW offers tools like food donation apps and travel emissions calculators to help make sustainability measurable. This allows you to collect data to track your goals and progress and identify areas of improvement for future events.
Work with vendors who share your values which can all contribute to a more responsible event ecosystem. Ask exhibitors to follow sustainable practices as well, whether by limiting their display items, offering reusable or recyclable swag, or even switching to digital swag bags! At the end of the day, sustainability isn’t just about what we save—it’s about what we give back.
Be sure to showcase your sustainability efforts to attendees to build their trust and align with your organization values. Whether you include your sustainable measures on the event website, broadcast live data during the event, or include a page on your event app to highlight efforts from suppliers, there are many ways event technology can support sustainability.
Pro Tip: Create real-time dashboards that display sustainability metrics to attendees, enhancing transparency and engagement.
Breaking Language Barriers
Real-time translation tools improve accessibility at global events, both virtual and in-person. These tools, the sixth event technology trend for 2025, first gained traction during the pandemic but are now more refined. The most common examples are language interpretation tools and live closed captions.
These tools support attendees who speak different languages as well as attendees with hearing impairments. Even attendees without hearing impairments who speak the host language can benefit; for example, in a loud room, captions are useful to anyone watching.
Above all, translation tools foster a greater sense of belonging and connection for a better overall attendee experience. When people feel that their unique needs are accounted for, it fosters deeper engagement and connection. Offering translation tools should be as standard as providing accessibility ramps or sign language interpreters for those who can’t hear. These inclusive measures show we care and ensure everyone feels welcome.
Pro Tip: Test translation tools in advance with diverse attendees to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Gamification and Wearables
Wearable technology and gamification serve a dual purpose: driving engagement and collecting valuable data. Wearable technology also promotes efficiency. For example, RFID badges allow for seamless contact-less check-in and track session attendance, providing valuable data at both the individual and event level.
Wearable event technology can also benefit attendees’ physical and mental wellbeing. Neuroscience shows that when attendees feel physically and mentally balanced, their ability to engage and absorb information improves significantly. For example, tracking stress levels or activity patterns can help planners schedule wellness breaks or optimize session lengths. By using wearables as a tool for wellbeing, we ensure that the event experience is not just engaging but also supportive of the whole person.
Gamification, whether through wearable event tech or otherwise, increase attendees’ focus and participation by directing their attention. It also makes the event more fun, and who doesn’t want that? One thing to note: When tracking attendees, whether through wearable technology or gamification technology, offer a way to opt-out as some may prefer to maintain their privacy.
Pro Tip: Leverage wearable data to adapt in real time, such as adding breakout rooms if certain sessions are overcrowded.
Drone-Based Experiences
Drones are new, they’re exciting, and they provide so many ways to make an impact at events. First, they can be used for light shows in place of fireworks. Not only are drones safer and more environmentally friendly, but they also pack a bigger punch as you can more easily control the display, create specific visuals, and even synchronize them to music.
Second, drones can be used to capture aerial footage of your event. This can then be shared as marketing footage to generate interest for future events, and it also allows you to collect visual data as you can see what part of the event are most crowded.
Finally, as drone technology improves, think outside of the box! Use them to deliver gifts or messages or drop confetti over audiences. As the technology expands, so do the opportunities.
Pro Tip: Incorporate drones into high-impact moments, like opening ceremonies or key transitions, to leave a lasting impression.
Event Technology and Human Connection
As with all event trends, apply these strategically. Balance AI and technology with the human touch. No matter how advanced our tools become, they can’t replace the power of a shared meal, a handshake, or a meaningful conversation. Human connection is the foundation of trust and collaboration.
In 2025, as we embrace technology, let’s use it to amplify—not overshadow—these moments. Because the most successful events are the ones where attendees leave feeling connected, inspired, and valued. These connections are the true markers of a memorable and impactful event.
For more details on these event technology trends and practices, watch the video above or read our blog post.
Experience the M&IW Difference
Now that you know the trends, it’s time to implement them. M&IW’s event technology experts create impactful tech strategies that maximize attendee engagement while meeting your event and organizational goals. Contact us to experience the difference M&IW brings to event technology, event management, and more. Already an M&IW customer? Contact your Customer Success Manager.
Contributors
Chip Begley
Director, Event Technology
Meetings & Incentives Worldwide, Inc.
Anca Platon Trifan, CMP, WMEP
Sr. Manager, Strategic Partnerships, Event Technology
Meetings & Incentives Worldwide, Inc.